CRASHTech - Speed & Crash Detection System

⛑️💥 ESP32-Based Smart Helmet with Piezoelectric Shock Tap Sensors: Enhanced Motorcycle Safety and Emergency Assistance System via Geolocation API and PhilSMS

🎓️ A Capstone Commission Project, for Bohol Wisdom School's Research Fair

Overview

CRASHTech is a speed-tracking and crash-detection system designed for motorcycles. It combines real-time speed monitoring, helmet impact detection, and automated SMS emergency alerts. The system uses an ESP32 microcontroller, piezoelectric sensors, a Node.js backend, and a modern web frontend.

System Architecture

[ESP32 Helmet] --(WiFi/HTTP)--> [Node.js Backend] <--(REST API)--> [Frontend Web App]
         |                                                   |
   Piezo Sensors                                      PhilSMS API

• ESP32: Reads impact sensors, displays status on LCD, sends impact data to backend.
• Backend: Receives impact data, exposes REST API for frontend, relays SMS via PhilSMS.
• Frontend: Web app for monitoring, settings, and alert management.

Getting Started

1. ESP32 Firmware

• Edit WiFi credentials and backend URL in esp32_code.c.
• Flash code to ESP32.
• Connect helmet sensors to GPIO pins as defined in the code.

2. Backend Server

• Go to backend/ and run:

  npm install

• Create a .env file in backend/ with:

  PHIL_SMS_API_TOKEN=your_philsms_api_token
  PHIL_SMS_SENDER_ID=your_sender_id
  

• Start the server:

  npm start

• The backend exposes:

  • POST /api/impact (from ESP32)
  • GET /api/latest-impact (for frontend)
  • POST /api/send-philsms (for SMS alerts)

3. Frontend Web App

• Open index.html in your browser.
• Configure settings (name, contacts, speed limit, backend URL, etc.).
• Click Start Monitoring to begin.

File Structure

.
├── esp32_code.c           # ESP32 firmware for helmet sensors
├── index.html             # Main web UI
├── main.js                # Frontend logic
├── style.css              # Web UI styles
├── Speed Alert.mp3        # Speeding alert sound
├── backend/
│   ├── server.js          # Node.js backend server
│   ├── package.json
│   └── .gitignore
└── README.md

---

Configuration

• Backend API URL: Set to your deployed backend (e.g., https://your-backend.onrender.com)
• PhilSMS: Register at philsms.com for API credentials.

Usage

1. Save your settings in the web app.
2. Start monitoring.
3. When a crash is detected (sudden deceleration + helmet impact), SMS alerts are sent automatically.
4. Use the Test Send SMS Alert button to verify SMS delivery.

Credits

• ESP32, Node.js, Express, PhilSMS, Google Maps, and open web APIs.