ESP32 Smart Doorbell with Camera and WhatsApp Photo Alert

Smart doorbell project uses ESP32-CAM to capture visitor photo when doorbell button pressed and send image instantly via WhatsApp. Unlike traditional doorbells, this sends visual confirmation of who is at the door to homeowner WhatsApp. Button press: GPIO2 on ESP32-CAM triggers photo capture. Image saved to SD card and uploaded to imgBB free API and URL sent via CallMeBot WhatsApp API. Message includes: 'Someone at your door! [image URL]'. ESP32 also plays chime sound through buzzer. Visitor log: web interface shows gallery of last 50 visitor photos with timestamps. Night vision: IR LEDs illuminate at night (based on LDR reading). Two-way audio: optional MAX98357A amplifier + INMP441 microphone for voice communication via web browser. Powered by 5V adapter at door frame. Weatherproof 3D printed enclosure. Libraries: esp_camera, WiFi, HTTPClient, SD_MMC, ArduinoJson.

Detailed Project Description

ESP32 Smart Doorbell with Camera and WhatsApp Photo Alert detects intrusion or activity and immediately informs the owner with a notification (and a photo when a camera is present).

How It Works
1. A motion/door/camera sensor watches the protected area.
2. On an event the controller captures the evidence (state or image) and time-stamps it.
3. A notification is pushed through the configured channel (Telegram, WhatsApp, email, app).
4. The user can query status or arm/disarm the system remotely.

Key Components and Their Role
- ESP32-CAM: ESP32 module with an OV2640 camera used to capture images or stream video.
- LDR: light-dependent resistor used to sense ambient light level.
- INMP441: I2S MEMS microphone for sound-level measurement.
- microSD card module: storage for logs, audio or images over SPI.
- Camera module: image sensor used for capture, streaming or computer vision.
- Buzzer: audible alert output.
- WhatsApp API: messaging channel used to deliver instant alerts to a phone.

Implementation Steps
1. Collect the components and study each module's datasheet (pin-out, voltage, interface).
2. Wire the circuit on a breadboard following the pin mapping; power sensors from the correct rail (3.3 V / 5 V).
3. Install Arduino IDE, CallMeBot API, imgBB Image Hosting and the required libraries; flash a minimal test sketch for each module separately.
4. Write the main firmware: read sensors → process → drive outputs / send data.
5. Configure network or cloud credentials and test communication end-to-end.
6. Calibrate thresholds, add error handling (reconnect, sensor time-out) and run a long-duration test.
7. Finalise on a PCB / enclosure and document wiring, code and results.

Key Features
- Instant alerts
- Optional photo capture
- Remote arm/disarm
- Event log

Expected Output
On completion the student will have a phone notification within seconds of an event, with the captured image where applicable.

Deliverables
- Complete source code with comments
- Circuit diagram and pin mapping
- Project report with screenshots and results
- Demonstration-ready build