SharpShot Vision (ESP32CAM) × EV3 × EV3-G

This page covers EV3-G official software (EV3 Lab) only: how to set it up for the SharpShot Vision (ESP32CAM) on MINDSTORMS EV3, how to read every value, the commands it supports and examples. Use the switcher above to change product, host or software.

Setup

What you need

• Sensor: SharpShot Vision (ESP32CAM) (EV3 edition, RJ12 plug). A SPIKE edition is not recognised on an EV3.
• Brick: LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3.
• Cable: the standard cable in the box, or an original LEGO EV3 cable.
• Software: the official LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 software (LabVIEW-style interface, usually called EV3-G). The most common choice in school computer labs and WRO teams.

Install the software

1. Install the official EV3 software (EV3 Lab) from the LEGO Education download page.
2. To open an example: download the .ev3 file → "File → Open Project" → connect the EV3 → "Download and Run" at the bottom right.

Make the software see the sensor

No extension and no driver needed. On the EV3 the sensor emulates an original LEGO sensor (most products show up as an "Infrared Sensor"); use the built-in sensor blocks and pick the right mode.

• The infrared sensor has three modes, Proximity, Beacon and Remote; the product puts different data in different modes. See the readings below.
• Some products come with MBC My Blocks. They are already inside the example projects; open an example and they are there.

Important

Do not switch modes in the middle of a program. Every time the EV3 switches a sensor mode (for example from Proximity to Remote) it stalls for about 1 s, which can make a fast robot lose control. Pick one mode at the start and use it for the whole run.

Wiring

1. Plug the sensor into EV3 port 1 with the cable (any of 1~4 works; choose the same port in the blocks).
2. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the sensor.
3. Latch up, push the plug in gently; do not force it.

Set the colour on the sensor first

All SharpShot settings are made on the colour screen and buttons on the back of the sensor; no computer needed:

1. The sensor only starts when plugged into a hub that is already on (the screen first shows "LEGO Sync..."); once the camera image appears it is ready.
2. Short-press the side button to open the settings menu; left / right to choose, OK to enter. In the menu, hold the side button for 1 s to clear that colour set.
3. Colour settings and camera parameters (brightness, contrast, saturation, exposure, white balance, flip, mirror) are saved automatically and used at the next power-on.

Two EV3 firmwares

WRO edition (HUE12): import the MBC My Block first

In EV3-G, download the MBC My Block MBC_Hue12Sensor.ev3b and import it once with "Tools → Block Import" (once per computer); only then do the WRO examples open.

First test

1. Download the .ev3 of example 1 on this page, open it and press "Download and Run".
2. If the number on the EV3 screen changes with what is in front of the sensor, everything is connected.

FAQ

• The number never changes? Unplug the sensor and plug it back in (the EV3 must be on first).
• The EV3 shows an "Infrared Sensor"? That is normal: read the values with the infrared sensor blocks.
• Some examples have no EV3-G version? Examples marked "Pybricks / EV3 MicroPython / clev3r only" use a mode the EV3-G blocks cannot read.
• The program hiccups now and then? It switches sensor modes; each switch costs about 1 s. Use one mode only.

Reading values (School edition)

The EV3 sees a stock LEGO sensor, so read it with the stock sensor block.

hue hue

Range	Meaning
-1~100	hue of sample point S1, 0100 (hue ring 0240 scaled); −1 = black/white/grey (saturation < 10); 0 when S1 is not set

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
hue	Infrared Sensor → Proximity	the value	mode 0

saturation saturation

Range	Meaning
0~100	saturation of sample point S1, 0~100

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
saturation	Infrared Sensor → Beacon proximity, channel 1	the value	mode 1

brightness value

Range	Meaning
0~100	brightness (HSV value) of sample point S1, 0~100

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
brightness	Infrared Sensor → Beacon heading, channel 2	the value	mode 1

motion motion

Range	Meaning
0~100	whole-frame motion 0~100 (more change = larger)

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
motion	Infrared Sensor → Beacon proximity, channel 2	the value	mode 1

blob X blobX

Range	Meaning
0~100	blob centre X 0~100, left = 0; 0 when not found

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
blob X	Infrared Sensor → Beacon heading, channel 3	the value	mode 1

blob Y blobY

Range	Meaning
0~75	blob centre Y 0~75, bottom = 0, top = 75; 0 when not found

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
blob Y	Infrared Sensor → Beacon proximity, channel 3	the value	mode 1

blob width blobW

Range	Meaning
0~100	blob width W 0~100; 0 = not found

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
blob width	Infrared Sensor → Beacon heading, channel 4	the value	mode 1

blob height blobH

Range	Meaning
0~75	blob height H 0~75; 0 when not found

Value	Block	Decode	Mode
blob height	Infrared Sensor → Beacon proximity, channel 4	the value	mode 1

Not readable here：blob area, blob found. Use Arduino / mBlock / micro:bit for these.

Reading values (WRO edition)

The EV3 sees a stock LEGO sensor, so read it with the stock sensor block.

spot 1~12 colour code spotColor

Range	Meaning
0~255	101B = colour code of spots S1S12: 0239 colour (hue 0255 scaled to 0239), 240245 white (saturation < 30, lower = larger), 246~250 black (value < 30, darker = larger), 255 = spot not enabled

This product does not emulate a stock LEGO sensor, so stock blocks cannot read it; use the MBC custom block included with the examples (see setup above).

spot 1~12 vividness spotVivid

Range	Meaning
0~255	202B = vividness (saturation) of spots S1S12, 0~255: black = 1, white/colour = actual saturation; 0 when the spot is not enabled

This product does not emulate a stock LEGO sensor, so stock blocks cannot read it; use the MBC custom block included with the examples (see setup above).

Examples (School edition)

Example 1: What does the camera see? All 8 numbers at once

What this example does: Mode 1 sends 8 numbers at once: colour, saturation, brightness, motion, and the X, Y, width and height of the colour blob. Show them all on the EV3 screen and compare with the camera picture to understand each one.

What you need:

• SharpShot (school edition) (EV3 edition)
• EV3 brick

How to connect: SharpShot (school edition) in port 1. Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to "2:TRACK" → confirm → aim the crosshair at the ball, set the position, tolerance and minimum area in turn → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Clear the screen
2. Repeat forever
   • Colour: red 0 or 100, yellow ≈17, green ≈33, blue ≈67, -1 = black/white/grey
   • Saturation 0~100
   • Brightness 0~100
   • How much the picture moved 0~100
   • Blob horizontal position 0~100
   • Blob vertical position 0~75
   • Blob width, 0 = not found
   • Blob height, bigger when closer
   • Wait 0.1 s

What you should see: Move the ball left and right in front of the lens and X follows; bring it closer and W and H grow; take it away and X, Y, W, H all read 0.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• X, Y, W, H always read 0? 2:TRACK has not been set up, or the ball colour is outside the tolerance.

Example 2: Traffic-light robot: go on green only

What this example does: Mode 0 reads only the "colour". Drive forward on green, stop on anything else (red).

What you need:

• EV3 brick + Education base robot (left wheel on B, right wheel on C)
• SharpShot (school edition) (EV3 edition)
• One red and one green card

How to connect: SharpShot (school edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward.Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to "1:COLOR" → confirm → aim the crosshair at the colour to learn, set the position and tolerance in turn → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • If the colour is between 25 and 45 (green)
     • Green: drive forward
     • Otherwise:
       • Not green: stop

What you should see: Hold the green card in front of the lens and the robot drives; swap to the red card and it stops.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• It does not go on green either? Run example 1 to see the real HUE of your green card, then change 25 and 45 in the program.

Example 3: Burglar alarm: beep when something moves

What this example does: The 4th number of mode 1 is "how much the picture moved". Point the camera at a doorway; when someone walks past the number jumps, and above 20 the EV3 beeps. No camera setup needed.

What you need:

• SharpShot (school edition) (EV3 edition)
• EV3 brick

How to connect: SharpShot (school edition) in port 1, lens pointing at the area to watch, held steady.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • Show the motion value on screen
   • If the motion value is greater than 20
     • Something is moving: beep!

What you should see: Quiet when the picture is still; wave a hand in front of the lens and the EV3 beeps.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• It beeps even when nobody is there? Flickering lights or a shaking camera. Raise 20 (for example 35).

Example 4: Turn to look at the ball

What this example does: The robot spins on the spot to keep the ball in the middle of the picture: ball on the left means turn left, on the right means turn right, in the middle means stop; no ball means spin to search.

What you need:

• EV3 brick + Education base robot (left wheel on B, right wheel on C)
• SharpShot (school edition) (EV3 edition)
• A brightly coloured ball

How to connect: SharpShot (school edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward.Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to "2:TRACK" → confirm → aim the crosshair at the ball, set the position, tolerance and minimum area in turn → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • If the blob width = 0 (ball not found)
     • Cannot see the ball (width = 0): spin slowly on the spot to look for it
     • Otherwise:
       • If X is less than 40 (left)
         • Ball on the left: turn left
         • Otherwise:
           • Otherwise, if X is greater than 60 (right)
             • Ball on the right: turn right
             • Otherwise:
               • Ball in the centre: stop

What you should see: Move the ball left and right in front of the robot and its nose follows the ball.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• Left and right are swapped? Swap -15 and 15 in the two tank steps.

Example 5: Chase the ball: stop when close enough

What this example does: Example 4 made to drive: aim at the ball while driving forward, and stop when the ball height H is big enough (close enough).

What you need:

• EV3 brick + Education base robot (left wheel on B, right wheel on C)
• SharpShot (school edition) (EV3 edition)
• A brightly coloured ball

How to connect: SharpShot (school edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward.Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to "2:TRACK" → confirm → aim the crosshair at the ball, set the position, tolerance and minimum area in turn → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • If width = 0 (ball not found)
     • Cannot see the ball: spin on the spot to look for it
     • Otherwise:
       • Otherwise, if H is greater than 30
         • Ball height greater than 30 (close enough): stop
         • Otherwise:
           • Steering power turn = (X − 50) × 0.6: positive when the ball is to the right
           • Left wheel = 25 + turn, right wheel = 25 − turn: aim at the ball while driving forward

What you should see: Put the ball on the floor: the robot turns to it, drives over and stops in front of it.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• It stops while still far away? Raise 30.

Still stuck? Leave a message on Contact us with the software you use and a screenshot of your program, and we will help.

Examples (WRO edition)

Example 1: What colour does spot S1 see?

What this example does: The WRO edition has 12 colour spots; each reports "the colour at that position right now". Set up S1 and show its colour code and saturation on the screen.

What you need:

• SharpShot (WRO edition) (EV3 edition)
• EV3 brick
• Bricks of various colours

How to connect: SharpShot (WRO edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward. Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to S1 → confirm → move the crosshair to the spot to watch (X, Y) → set the tolerance → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Clear the screen
2. Repeat forever
   • Row 1: colour code of S1
   • Row 2: saturation of S1
   • Wait 0.1 s

What you should see: Put bricks of different colours at the S1 position and the colour code changes: red ≈0, yellow ≈40, green ≈80, blue ≈160.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• The number is always 255? That colour spot is not set up (not enabled). Set up S1 as described above.
• What do the colour numbers mean? 0239 are colours: red 0 (or 239), yellow 40, green 80, cyan 120, blue 160, purple 200; 240245 white; 246~250 black.
• The camera picture is upside down? Turn V-Flip on in the menu. After changing the orientation, set up the colour spots again.
• Flashed the school edition first, now the WRO edition spots act strangely? Both editions store settings in the same place: do a Reset Default in the menu first, then set up the spots again.

Example 2: Colour announcer: show the colour name on screen

What this example does: Split the colour code into ranges to decide red, green, blue, white or black, show the English name on the screen and beep.

What you need:

• SharpShot (WRO edition) (EV3 edition)
• EV3 brick
• Red, green and blue bricks

How to connect: SharpShot (WRO edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward. Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to S1 → confirm → move the crosshair to the spot to watch (X, Y) → set the tolerance → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • Store the colour code of S1 in hue
   • Clear the screen
   • If it is red
     • 014 or 226239: red
     • Otherwise:
       • Otherwise, if it is green
         • 60~100: green
         • Otherwise:
           • Otherwise, if it is blue
             • 140~180: blue
             • Otherwise:
               • Otherwise, if it is white
                 • 240~245: white
                 • Otherwise:
                   • Otherwise, if it is black
                     • 246~250: black
                     • Otherwise:
                       • Any other colour
   • Wait 0.3 s

What you should see: Put red, green and blue bricks at the S1 position and the screen shows RED, GREEN, BLUE.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• The number is always 255? That colour spot is not set up (not enabled). Set up S1 as described above.
• What do the colour numbers mean? 0239 are colours: red 0 (or 239), yellow 40, green 80, cyan 120, blue 160, purple 200; 240245 white; 246~250 black.
• The camera picture is upside down? Turn V-Flip on in the menu. After changing the orientation, set up the colour spots again.
• Flashed the school edition first, now the WRO edition spots act strangely? Both editions store settings in the same place: do a Reset Default in the menu first, then set up the spots again.

Example 3: Traffic pillar: stop on red, go on green

What this example does: The red/green pillars common in WRO Future Engineers: S1 looks ahead, stop on red, drive forward on green.

What you need:

• EV3 brick + Education base robot (left wheel on B, right wheel on C)
• SharpShot (WRO edition) (EV3 edition)
• Red and green pillars or bricks

How to connect: SharpShot (WRO edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward. Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to S1 → confirm → move the crosshair to the spot to watch (X, Y) → set the tolerance → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • Store the colour code of S1 in hue
   • If it is green (60~100)
     • Green: drive forward
     • Otherwise:
       • Otherwise, if it is red
         • Red: stop

What you should see: Put a green pillar ahead and the robot drives; swap to red and it stops. Other colours keep the current action.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• The number is always 255? That colour spot is not set up (not enabled). Set up S1 as described above.
• What do the colour numbers mean? 0239 are colours: red 0 (or 239), yellow 40, green 80, cyan 120, blue 160, purple 200; 240245 white; 246~250 black.
• The camera picture is upside down? Turn V-Flip on in the menu. After changing the orientation, set up the colour spots again.
• Flashed the school edition first, now the WRO edition spots act strangely? Both editions store settings in the same place: do a Reset Default in the menu first, then set up the spots again.

Example 4: Stop at the black line

What this example does: Set S1 at the bottom of the picture looking at the floor; the robot drives forward and stops when S1 sees black (246~250).

What you need:

• EV3 brick + Education base robot (left wheel on B, right wheel on C)
• SharpShot (WRO edition) (EV3 edition)
• A strip of black tape on a white floor

How to connect: SharpShot (WRO edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward. Camera setup: short-press the side button for the menu → left/right to S1 → confirm → move the crosshair to the bottom of the picture (looking at the floor) → set the tolerance → confirm to save.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Drive forward
2. Wait until the colour code of S1 is 246~250 (black)
3. Stop
4. Beep

What you should see: The robot drives forward and stops with a beep when it reaches the black line.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• The number is always 255? That colour spot is not set up (not enabled). Set up S1 as described above.
• What do the colour numbers mean? 0239 are colours: red 0 (or 239), yellow 40, green 80, cyan 120, blue 160, purple 200; 240245 white; 246~250 black.
• The camera picture is upside down? Turn V-Flip on in the menu. After changing the orientation, set up the colour spots again.
• Flashed the school edition first, now the WRO edition spots act strangely? Both editions store settings in the same place: do a Reset Default in the menu first, then set up the spots again.

Example 5: Three spots left, middle, right: where is the red?

What this example does: Set up S1, S2, S3 as left, middle, right. Whichever spot sees red, the robot turns that way; no red means stop.

What you need:

• EV3 brick + Education base robot (left wheel on B, right wheel on C)
• SharpShot (WRO edition) (EV3 edition)
• A red brick

How to connect: SharpShot (WRO edition) in port 1, mounted at the front with the lens facing forward. Camera setup: put S1 on the left of the picture, S2 in the middle and S3 on the right, all three at the same height.

Download the program (pick your software):

⬇ EV3-G (official software)

Step by step:

1. Repeat forever
   • If S1 is red
     • Red on the left (S1): turn left
     • Otherwise:
       • Otherwise, if S3 is red
         • Red on the right (S3): turn right
         • Otherwise:
           • Otherwise, if S2 is red
             • Red in the middle (S2): drive forward
             • Otherwise:
               • No red seen: stop

What you should see: Move the red brick left, centre and right in front of the camera and the robot turns left, drives forward or turns right.

FAQ:

• The camera screen stays on "LEGO Sync..."? The camera only starts when plugged into an EV3 that is already on. Turn the EV3 on first, then plug in the camera.
• The number is always 255? That colour spot is not set up (not enabled). Set up S1 as described above.
• What do the colour numbers mean? 0239 are colours: red 0 (or 239), yellow 40, green 80, cyan 120, blue 160, purple 200; 240245 white; 246~250 black.
• The camera picture is upside down? Turn V-Flip on in the menu. After changing the orientation, set up the colour spots again.
• Flashed the school edition first, now the WRO edition spots act strangely? Both editions store settings in the same place: do a Reset Default in the menu first, then set up the spots again.

Still stuck? Leave a message on Contact us with the software you use and a screenshot of your program, and we will help.

More questions

• The EV3 shows an infrared sensor? Expected: the sensor emulates a LEGO sensor so the stock blocks can read it.
• A short freeze when switching modes? The EV3 needs about 1 s per mode change. Stick to one mode during a run.

Still stuck? Contact us with your software and a screenshot of the program.

Downloads

• Download centre (libraries, firmware, catalogue for every product)

Sources

• Host and software list：_build/guides.json
• Values and commands：_build/protocol/cam_school.json、_build/protocol/cam_wro.json (single source of truth)
• Setup：_build/guides/software/ev3-ev3g.en.md、_build/guides/product/esp32cam/ev3-ev3g.en.md
• Examples：sensors/esp32cam/ev3-examples(-wro).md