Implementation of Footstep Energy Generation and Monitoring System

Abstract

The Implementation of Footstep Energy Generation and Monitoring System is an IoT-based solution designed to harvest and monitor energy generated from human footsteps using piezoelectric sensors. The project aims to demonstrate how everyday movements can be converted into usable electrical energy while providing real-time feedback through an online dashboard. By integrating hardware sensing, power management, and wireless data communication, this system highlights a practical approach to renewable micro-energy generation. The setup uses six 35 mm piezo sensors connected through a voltage divider and monitored by an ESP32 microcontroller. As footsteps apply pressure on the piezo elements, an AC voltage is produced and measured using a DC voltage sensor. The ESP32 processes the signal, calculates the generated voltage, counts each valid footstep, and displays the information on a 16×2 I2C LCD. A buzzer provides audible feedback for every detected step, enhancing user interaction. To ensure portability, the system is powered using two 3.7 V batteries configured in a 2S setup and regulated using an MP1584 buck converter. All components are mounted on a durable PVC and acrylic platform for stability. The ESP32 connects to Wi-Fi and publishes live data step count and corresponding voltage to an MQTT broker. Users can monitor the readings through a custom mobile application built with MQTT. The app displays real-time step count and voltage generation, making the system suitable for educational demonstrations, smart walkways, and renewable-energy awareness initiatives. This project effectively combines energy harvesting, IoT communication, and embedded systems to showcase a functional footstep-powered energy model.