In the tutorial Python developers and data scientists will learn what are advantages of using microcontrollers over Linux mini computers and how to setup and program ESP32 board to collect data using common environmental sensors. Finally how to establish secure MQTT communication and send data using AWS IoT Core cloud service. Everything in Python - MicroPython.
Microcontrollers such as Arduino or ESP may have many advantages over Linux hardware platforms in the field of collecting sensor data: lower cost, almost instant on, built in ADC inputs or power saving features, just to mention only a few. In the past using them required the knowledge of C or C++ programming languages. With the introduction of MicroPython language Python developers and Data Scientists gained an opportunity to move their data collecting projects from Linux to cheaper and more universal hardware such as ESP8266 or ESP32 without sacrificing the convenience of Python and often using the same well known libraries.
Key points of the tutorial: 1. Why microcontrollers over linux boards (such as RPi, Onion Omega) 2. Introduction to MicroPython language for microcontrollers 3. Overview of the data collecting project 4. ESP32 hardware setup 5. MicroPython application structure 6. Introduction to AWS IoT Core “thing shadow” concept 7. Setting up AWS IoT Core shadow 8. Configuring database 9. Conclusion