ESP32 GPS Vehicle Tracker: IoT Dashboard & Google Maps 2026 (Udemy.com)
Build a Real-Time GPS Tracker with ESP32, Program an OLED Display, and Visualize Live Location on an IoT Dashboard
Created by: Stepwise Learning
Last updated June 2026
Our take
Based on the ratings of 84 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in June 2026. No course pays to be reviewed.
This is a short, build-one-thing course on a GPS vehicle tracker. The syllabus runs through the ESP32 board, an OLED screen and a GPS module, reads raw NMEA data, then wires everything together and sends the location to a dashboard with a map. It is pitched at complete beginners, and the requirements back that up, though you do have to buy the board, GPS module and display yourself. The listing also assumes a Windows laptop for the software setup.
Reviewers like the pace. Words like slow and steady, clear and easy to follow come up, and one praises that each hardware module is tested on its own. Stepwise Learning is called knowledgeable. The trouble comes at the end. Reviewers report that the Blynk app on screen does not match what they see, that one could not find the token in the email, and that one person finished with a dashboard that tracked nothing. Another says the platform has turned paid. Two low reviews call the content thin, mostly GitHub code and datasheets.
Most of the sample is positive, with 71 of 84 ratings at four or five stars. The dashboard complaints date from 2022 and 2023, and the course was last updated in June 2026, so the cloud section may have been reworked since. The reviews we have cannot confirm that. At 1.7 hours it is a quick first GPS project, but check the dashboard platform's current plan before you buy parts.
Pros
- Each part (ESP32, OLED, GPS) is tested on its own before wiring
- Slow, steady pace that reviewers find easy to follow; code explained line by line
- Short at 1.7 hours, so the whole build is a quick first GPS project
- Parts list with purchase links in the first lecture, plus a troubleshooting section
Cons
- Dashboard setup reportedly no longer matches the Blynk app shown on screen
- Some reviewers say it is shallow, mostly GitHub code and datasheets
- Map features may need a paid plan, according to two reviewers
The course pace is slow and steady, I was able to understand the concept and source code easily.
Listed for all levels but really for beginners: no electronics background needed, though you must buy the board, GPS and OLED.
What you will learn
- Understand the ESP32 microcontroller's specifications, GPIO pin structure, and power requirements and why it is the preferred choice for real-time IoT tracking.
- Set up and test the ESP32 board with the correct IDE and drivers to confirm everything is working perfectly before writing a single line of project code.
- Wire the OLED display to ESP32, install the required drivers, and program it to show custom real-time data on screen.
- Program the OLED display with ESP32 to display live GPS coordinates and project-specific data meeting your exact requirements.
- Connect and test the GPS module independently using two different software tools, read raw NMEA strings, and verify satellite location accuracy.
- Identify and source every hardware component needed for the project using the complete parts list provided inside the course.
- Read and understand the full project circuit diagram and install all necessary libraries before beginning integration.
- Write and understand the complete project source code line by line — including sensor reading, display output, and IoT data transmission.
- Understand core IoT concepts and configure a cloud dashboard to receive and display live data from your ESP32 tracking device.
- Integrate ESP32, GPS module, and OLED display into a single working system and visualize real-time vehicle location on Google Maps through your IoT dashboard.
Course content
8 sections · 38 lectures · 1.7 hours of video 6 quizzes, 6 coding exercises, 1 assignment, 14 articles
- 1Introduction and Detailed Specifications 3 free previews3 lectures · 17 min
- 2ESP32 Testing and Functionality3 lectures · 10 min
- 3Testing and Understanding of the OLED display5 lectures · 11 min
- 4Testing and Configuring the GPS Module3 lectures · 11 min
- 5Project Concept and Circuit Diagram7 lectures · 20 min
- 6Source Code & Real-time Demonstration12 lectures · 31 min
- 7Coding Exercise7 quizzes
- 8Troubleshooting and Common Errors5 lectures · 4 min
Who it is for
The instructor says it suits
- Anyone who wants to understand ESP32, GPS modules, and OLED displays by building a fully working real-time tracking system from scratch.
- Complete beginners with no prior electronics or programming experience who want to build a real IoT project with live Google Maps integration.
- Makers, hobbyists, and tech enthusiasts who enjoy assembling real hardware, writing code, and seeing their project come to life on a live dashboard.
- Students and professionals looking to add a complete ESP32-based IoT tracking project to their technical portfolio or expand into embedded systems development.
What you need before you start
- Basic familiarity with any programming language is helpful but not required — all code is explained line by line inside the course.
- No prior ESP32, GPS, or IoT experience needed — every concept is introduced from scratch with clear on-screen demonstrations.
- An ESP32 development board, a GPS module, and an OLED display — the complete hardware list with purchase links is provided in the first lecture.
- A Windows laptop with a USB port and a stable internet connection to download the IDE, drivers, and required libraries.
How it compares
Against the other 295 rated Udemy courses in Arduino on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.2 out of 5higher than 26% of them
- Reviews84#217 of 296 by number of reviews
- Length1.7 hoursshorter than 87% of them
- Last updatedJune 2026more recently than 93% of them
Course Description
What If You Could Track Any Vehicle in Real Time — Using a Device You Built and Programmed Yourself?
Live location updates. Google Maps integration. A custom IoT dashboard. All running on hardware that fits in your palm and costs a fraction of commercial tracking systems.
That is exactly what you will build in this course — from the very first connection to a fully deployed real-time vehicle tracking system powered by ESP32.
This Is a Build-It-Yourself Course. Not a Theory Lecture.
Every section moves you forward with hands-on implementation. You will wire real components, write real code, and watch your vehicle's location update live on a map — using a system you designed yourself.
No prior experience needed. If you can use a computer, you can build this.
What You Will Build:
A complete real-time vehicle tracking system that:
Reads live GPS coordinates from a GPS module
Displays location data on a connected OLED screen
Sends real-time data to an IoT dashboard
Visualizes live vehicle movement on Google Maps
Runs entirely on ESP32 — no external computer required
What You Will Learn — Section by Section:
Introduction to ESP32 Understand the most powerful and versatile microcontroller in the IoT space. Learn its specifications, GPIO pin structure, power requirements, and exactly why it is the right choice for real-time tracking applications.
ESP32 Setup and Testing Install the IDE, configure drivers, and run your first program on the ESP32 board. You will verify your hardware is working perfectly before writing a single line of project code.
OLED Display Programming Install the required drivers, wire the OLED display to ESP32, and program it to show custom real-time data. Understanding each component independently ensures seamless integration later.
GPS Module Testing and NMEA Data Test your GPS module using two different software tools. Learn to read raw satellite data, interpret NMEA strings, and verify location accuracy — all before connecting it to the ESP32.
Full Project Integration — Vehicle Tracking System Bring every component together. Follow the complete circuit diagram, install all necessary libraries, write the integration code, and build the fully functional tracking system step by step.
IoT Dashboard and Google Maps Visualization Connect your project to a live IoT dashboard and watch your vehicle's location update on Google Maps in real time. The complete source code is explained line by line so you can customize it for any use case.
Why Students Choose This Course:
Works with Any ESP32 Development Board No specific hardware version required — the course content applies across all ESP32 boards available in the market.
Every Component Tested Independently First You never integrate components blindly. Each part is tested and verified individually before being combined — eliminating confusion and saving hours of debugging time.
Beginner-Friendly with Advanced Depth The course starts from absolute basics and progressively builds to a fully deployed IoT system. Beginners get a clear path forward — experienced learners get real depth.
English Subtitles on Every Lecture Clear, accessible learning for students from every background and region.
24-Hour Technical Support Post any question in the Q&A section and receive a clear, actionable response within 24 hours — Monday to Saturday. No challenge will stop your progress.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee Your enrollment is completely risk-free. If this course does not meet your expectations for any reason, request a full refund within 30 days — no questions asked, no explanations needed.
The skills you build here go far beyond vehicle tracking.
ESP32, GPS integration, OLED programming, and IoT dashboard development are foundational skills used in fleet management, asset tracking, smart logistics, agriculture monitoring, drone navigation, and industrial IoT. Every skill you learn in this course has direct real-world application.
Instructor Details
- 4.2 Rating
84 Reviews
Stepwise Learning
At Stepwise Learning, our unwavering commitment lies in crafting an enhanced learning expedition for individuals eager to delve into the realm of cutting-edge technologies. Our core vision is exemplified through a business concept that encompasses a diverse array of meticulously curated, high-caliber courses.
Behind the scenes at Stepwise Learning, a group of impassioned developers forms our cohesive team. Our primary mission revolves around disseminating knowledge within the realm of AI and Embedded Systems, centered around platforms like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32, Asus Tinker Board, and more.
We hold a steadfast belief in navigating the intricate avenues of groundbreaking technologies, dissecting them into their minutest facets. This approach enables us to offer comprehensive coverage across various dimensions, ensuring that our materials cater to both novices seeking simplicity and advanced learners pursuing in-depth insights.
Should any concepts remain unclear or necessitate further elucidation, we encourage you to leverage the vibrant Udemy discussion forum. Our devoted technical support unit stands ready to address your inquiries and assist with any course-related quandaries. Once you've shared your question, our team is committed to providing a comprehensive response within a single business day.
Thank you for being a part of the Stepwise Learning community, where we collectively foster a dynamic and enriching learning environment.
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Reviews
By Alam Nathaniel Regalado Martínez on 10/16/2023
Tiene el curso bastante desactualizado, inclusive la página que utiliza se ha vuelto de paga ahora
By Daniel Henrique Teixeira Lima on 10/10/2023
muito superficil, o blink ja tem no mercado, quero aprender a programar algo que possa personalizar nao subir um exeplo da internet e o conseito.
By Gurpreet on 5/27/2022
it good course but blynk IoT app is not same as show in explain it does. Don't know which one to download on mobile and token ID can't find on email
By Bakulesh Suhas Rane on 7/3/2021
ASWOME DETAILED!!!TO INDUSTRIAL Manufacturing Level ,I Would suggest students , Entrepreneurs to buy this course value for money to make devices of future
By Anonymized User on 6/28/2021
Very informative and easy to follow, instructor is very knowledgeable and a subject matter expert!
By Geek Smith on 2/6/2021
Thank you for this ESP-32 GPS primer! I needed this introduction to get started (and at a great price). Even then, I had a snag or two but now have great start to my own GPS project - THANKS!!!
By William Anderson on 12/14/2020
Loved the course! I have done some programming in the past, but I am unfamiliar with the libraries, and methods of the iOT environment. Everything was well presented and easy to understand.
By Hector Bell on 12/3/2020
This is the best resource for learning ESP32 from the ground up, few components are only required to build the project. Appreciate the instructor's effort.
By Kaley Geise on 12/3/2020
The course pace is slow and steady, I was able to understand the concept and source code easily. Will start building the project by next week, Thank you Instructor!
By Ralic Neves on 12/3/2020
Absolutely Amazing! This course is very well constructed, in-depth explanation of topics, each hardware module has been tested individually. Theory, I can learn anywhere, practical implementation is a must.
Quality Score
No CourseDuck member has rated this course yet. Taken it? Give each part a thumbs up or down.
Overall Score : 84 / 100







