Atlas scientific sensors via ESP32 and VirtualHere

Hello,

We are working on a project where we are using Atlas Scientific sensors like a PH-sensor, etc. We saw in this thread that it is possible to do this by connecting a ESP32 ( for example or Arduino) to the Raspberry Pi by USB and then using the VirtualHere extension on BlueOS to get the data from the sensors. I have installed the VirtualHere extension on BlueOS but I’m not sure how to use it since I have never used it or done something like this. I have also installed VirtualHere on my laptop but when I connect the ESP32 via USB to the RPi and start the VirtualHere on my laptop I don’t see anything happening? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards

Hi @MartinFaak -
It sounds like you’re almost setup! The missing piece is code running on your ESP32/Arduino that receives data from connected sensors, and sends it out over the USB Serial connection. This guide may be helpful in understanding related considerations.
With the connections you’ve made thus far, your laptop should see a communications port in device manager that corresponds to the hardware plugged in to the Raspberry Pi. Have you selected that device in the VirtualHere client interface?
Are you using BlueOS? It may also be possible to read your connected sensors directly with a connection to the Raspberry Pi and the NodeRed extension…

I did this using nodered. The esp is connected on a navigator serial port and output data at 1hz.

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Hi @tony-white,

My message wasn’t clear, the code part wasn’t the issue. The issue was that when I installed VirtualHere on the RPi and my laptop, it wouldn’t recognize the USB connection in device manager. But I’ve since gotten it to work so it’s all good now! Thanks for the help anyway!