ESP32 NDVI Drone Payload Kit
ESP32-Powered NDVI Drone Payload Kit - Build Your Own Crop Health Mapping System
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Overfly a field and capture geotagged images that reveal plant stress invisible to the naked eye. With this kit, you assemble a lightweight camera payload that mounts to a drone frame, takes photos with the ESP32-CAM, reads light spectra via the AS7265x sensor, and computes the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) - a proven metric for crop health. Each image is stamped with GPS coordinates and a precise timestamp, letting you map field variability down to the meter.
What You'll Build
You'll construct a self-contained imaging payload that straps onto a drone. It powers up from a 3.7V LiPo battery, captures JPEG photos with the ESP32-CAM, records spectral data from six visible/NIR channels and ambient light separately, and saves everything to a microSD card. Once airborne, every shot is geotagged and ready for NDVI analysis using open-source tools like QGIS or custom Python scripts.
What You'll Learn
- Solder and assemble a multi-sensor PCB on prototype board
- Interface ESP32 with I2C sensors (AS7265x, BH1750, DS3231, GPS) and camera
- Parse NMEA sentences from GPS and synchronise timestamps with RTC
- Process multispectral images to compute NDVI and identify crop stress zones
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM | x1 |
| ESP32 Dev Board | x1 |
| NEO-6M GPS | x1 |
| AS7265x Sensor | x1 |
| BH1750 | x1 |
| DS3231 RTC | x1 |
| MicroSD Module | x1 |
| LM2596 Buck Converter | x1 |
| 3.7V LiPo 1300mAh | x1 |
| TP4056 Module | x1 |
| 100nF Caps | x15 |
| PCB Prototype Board | x3 |
| Drone Frame | x1 |
| Soldering Iron | x1 |
| Solder Wire | x1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
This kit is designed for advanced makers, agri-tech engineers, and researchers who want a customisable NDVI imaging system without reinventing the integration. It suits B.Tech/M.Tech students in electronics or agricultural engineering working on drone-based crop monitoring, participants in the Smart India Hackathon tackling precision farming themes, and startup teams building affordable agri-drone solutions. IITs, NITs, and state agriculture universities will find it a ready platform for remote sensing experiments.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project - accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
Do I need a ready-made drone, or is the frame included?
The kit includes a basic drone frame that can house the payload, but you will need to supply your own motors, ESCs, propellers, and flight controller if you want to fly. The payload can also be strapped to any existing drone with a mount.
How is the NDVI calculated from the sensors?
The AS7265x provides spectral readings in the red (650 nm) and near-infrared (810 nm) channels. Combined with the BH1750's ambient light reference, the onboard ESP32 calculates NDVI using the formula (NIR - Red) / (NIR + Red) and stamps the value into each image's EXIF data.
What software do I need to process the images?
The payload records raw JPEGs and a CSV log file. You can use open-source GIS tools like QGIS or the Orfeo Toolbox to generate NDVI maps. Python scripts with OpenCV and GDAL work for batch processing. Compoden's AI companion provides sample scripts.
Is the battery rechargeable, and how long does it last?
The 1300mAh LiPo is rechargeable via the included TP4056 module. A full charge powers the payload for about 45 minutes of continuous imaging, enough for a typical drone survey flight. The LM2596 buck converter steps down voltage safely.
Asset - ESP32-CAM drone payload captures multispectral photos with GPS tag. NDVI calculated from BH1750 + AS7265x.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit - 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo - 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
Other projects you can build
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items