Camera App Controller, a ESP32 project

This project turns the UNIHIKER K10 development board into a live camera preview display. The K10 combines a GC2145 camera module, ILI9341 color display, and ESP32 processor on a single board, making it ideal for rapid prototyping of vision-based applications.

The guide covers inspecting the K10's built-in hardware, powering the board, and uploading firmware that streams live camera feed to the display. Readers will receive a complete parts checklist, wiring diagram, step-by-step assembly instructions, and ready-to-compile Arduino code.

Wiring diagram

Assemble it in 2 steps

1. Inspect the built-in hardware

This app uses only the UNIHIKER K10’s built-in GC2145 camera and 2.8-inch display. Do not connect anything to the camera or display headers.

Remove any protective film from the camera lens so the picture is clear.
Avoid covering the camera lens while testing.

2. Power the K10

Connect the K10 to a suitable USB-C power/data cable. The board is powered through its own USB-C port; no external power circuit is needed.

Keep the board on a stable surface while checking the live image.
Use only the normal USB-C power connection for this simple project.

Deploy the firmware

main.cppOpen in Schematik

#include <Arduino.h>
#include "unihiker_k10.h"

// The K10 board-support package owns the built-in GC2145 camera,
// ILI9341 display, and their shared control hardware.
UNIHIKER_K10 k10;

void setup() {
  k10.begin();

  // DFRobot's documented landscape orientation for camera examples.
  k10.initScreen(2);

  // Start the built-in camera and make its live image the screen background.
  k10.initBgCamerImage();
  k10.setBgCamerImage(false);
  k10.creatCanvas();
  k10.setBgCamerImage(true);
}

void loop() {
  // Camera preview is updated by the K10 board SDK.
  delay(20);
}