DIY IoT to OpenClaw: ESP32, Sensors, and Direct Connections
If you control the firmware, connecting to OpenClaw is straightforward. No vendor cloud. No bridge app. Just device → OpenClaw.
Why DIY Is Different
Consumer devices (Apple Watch, Nest, etc.) lock you into their cloud. DIY devices—ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, custom sensors—let you send data wherever you want.
Device → OpenClaw via:
- HTTP — Simple POST requests
- MQTT — Publish to a broker that forwards to OpenClaw
- WebSocket — Persistent connection, real-time bidirectional flow (recommended)
Example: ESP32 → OpenClaw
{
"device_id": "env-sensor-12",
"temperature": 26.3,
"humidity": 41,
"battery": 78
}
Your OpenClaw agent reacts:
- Logs to a dashboard
- Triggers workflows (e.g., "turn on fan if temp > 28°C")
- Calls other tools (weather API, calendar)
- Makes decisions ("battery low → schedule maintenance")
OpenClaw's Sweet Spot
DIY IoT + OpenClaw is where the platform shines:
- You own the data path
- No vendor lock-in
- Full control over schema and frequency
- Agents can correlate, decide, and act
Security Considerations
Devices posting to OpenClaw need authentication. Use API keys or signed tokens. Clawctl provides:
- Gateway authentication
- Egress allowlists (agent → external services)
- Audit logs for every incoming event