Learn how to connect a PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor with an ESP32 to measure surface motion and movement without GPS! This project explains how to set up the sensor using SPI communication, helping create advanced robotics like autonomous drones and smart robots.

1. Author
Jobit Joseph, CircuitDigest

2. The PMW3901 is a low-resolution optical
flow sensor used for detecting motion
by tracking texture changes on
surfaces.
This project explains how to interface
the PMW3901 sensor with the ESP32
board using the SPI protocol.
It reads X and Y displacement values to
track directional movement, making it
ideal for drones and robotics.
Interfacing PMW3901 Optical
Flow Sensor with ESP32

3. Components
Needed
ESP32 Development Board
PMW3901 Optical Flow
Sensor
Jumper Wires
Breadboard
Optional: OLED Display
(SSD1306)
Micro USB Cable

4. Circuit Diagram and Connections

5. How It Works
The PMW3901 tracks surface
pattern changes as an object
moves.
It detects shifts between frames
using its internal camera.
Displacement values (X, Y) are
read by ESP32 to track direction
and magnitude of motion.
Ideal for detecting smooth,
horizontal motion in small
robots or drones.

6. Applications and
Demonstration
Common uses:
Indoor drone navigation
Robot motion tracking
Gesture tracking on
surfaces

7. For a more in-depth tutorial,
check out this article:
https://circuitdigest.com/microcontroll
er-projects/interfacing-pmw3901-
optical-flow-sensor-with-esp32
www.circuitdigest.com
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