NeatoFx Target IR

Overview

The NeatoFx Target IR is a self-contained WiFi-enabled infrared hit detector and prop controller. Wire it up, configure it from any browser, and it runs your prop — relay, servo, LEDs, and scoring — with no custom coding or external controller required.

Common applications include shooting galleries, haunted house props, escape room sequences, museum interactive exhibits, themed restaurant interactions, and scavenger hunt activations.

Each target ships pre-flashed and tested. Settings persist in flash across power cycles. Targets daisy-chain (up to 5 units per power supply) and support OTA updates individually or in batch via Home Assistant.

Key features:

• 38 kHz IR receiver — ambient-light tolerant, up to 20 ft range; laser tag, NEC, and raw protocols
• WS2811/WS2812 RGB LEDs — 6 face LEDs onboard + independent strip output (up to 100 LEDs)
• SPDT relay — 2 A @ 120 VAC or 24 VDC (motors, solenoids, bells, air cannons, AC lighting)
• GND switch — switch to ground, 20 V, 1.6 A
• Servo output — PWM 50 Hz, 0–180°, 5 V @ 3 A auxiliary power
• 3 debounced digital inputs + 1 analog input (0–3.3 V) for buttons, PIR, pressure pads
• Browser-based configuration: point value, LED colors/animations, relay hold time, servo angles, IR sensitivity
• Home Assistant native (ESPHome API) — discovered automatically within 60 seconds of joining WiFi
• Standalone AP mode — no hub required; hotspot target-1 / neato123, web UI at 192.168.4.1
• OTA firmware updates
• ¼” camera thread mount with CCTV swivel mount included

Hardware

Component	Specification
MCU	ESP32 Mini D1 (replaceable)
Input voltage	5–18 V DC, reverse-polarity protected
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, static IP supported
IR receiver	38 kHz, up to 20 ft range
Relay	SPDT, 2 A @ 120 VAC or 24 VDC (GPIO-23)
GND switch	Switch to ground, 20 V, 1.6 A (GPIO-33)
LED strips	WS2811/WS2812 — 6 face LEDs + up to 100 on strip output
Servo	PWM 50 Hz, 0–180°, 5 V @ 3 A aux
Digital inputs	3 × debounced, 3.3 V logic
Analog input	1 × 0–3.3 V
5 V auxiliary	2 × 5 V @ 3 A
Mounting	¼” camera thread + CCTV swivel mount
Daisy-chain	Up to 5 units per power supply

Hardware revisions

• Rev 1.x — original design, single LED strip
• Rev 3.x — current production; dual LED strips, servo, auxiliary power rail, expanded GPIO

GPIO Pinout (Rev 3.x)

GPIO	Function
GPIO5	Face LED strip — WS2812 (6 onboard LEDs)
GPIO22	External WS2811/WS2812 LED strip signal (up to 100 LEDs)
GPIO19	IR receiver (38 kHz)
GPIO23	Internal relay — SPDT, 2 A @ 24 VDC / 120 VAC
GPIO33	Switch to ground — 20 V, 1.6 A
GPIO4	Servo signal — PWM 50 Hz
GPIO26	5 V, 3 A auxiliary power output (servo connector power)
GPIO18	External trigger input (TRIGGER net)
GPIO25	General IO
GPIO16	General IO
GPIO17	General IO
GPIO34	Analog input (0–3.3 V)
GPIO1	RS232 TX
GPIO3	RS232 RX

Quick Start

1. Power on — target broadcasts WiFi hotspot target-1 (password: neato123)
2. Connect phone or laptop to the hotspot — captive portal opens automatically
3. Select your venue WiFi network and enter credentials
4. Home Assistant discovers the device within 60 seconds
5. Open the web UI at the device IP to adjust point value, LED colors, relay timing, and more

For standalone operation (no hub), skip steps 3–4. Access the web UI at 192.168.4.1 while connected to the hotspot.

Configuration

https://github.com/esphome/devices.esphome.io/blob/main/src/docs/devices/NeatoTargetIR/config.yaml

substitutions:
  id: "1"
  name: target-${id}
  friendly_name: "NeatoFx Target ${id}"

packages:
  board: github://CodeMakesItGo/NeatoFx_Public/Targets/NeatoTargetIR/boards/rev3.yaml@main
  ir_receiver: github://CodeMakesItGo/NeatoFx_Public/Targets/NeatoTargetIR/protocols/ir_nec.yaml@main
  config: github://CodeMakesItGo/NeatoFx_Public/Targets/NeatoTargetIR/configs/home_assistant.yaml@main

For a fully networked install with Home Assistant, IR protocol selection, servo, and FPP support, import the complete configuration:

The current firmware configuration is fetched live from the upstream repository:

# Loading https://github.com/CodeMakesItGo/NeatoFx_Public/blob/main/Targets/NeatoTargetIR/main.yaml…

Firmware builds

Build	IR protocol	Networking
Standard (main.yaml, networked mode)	NEC + laser tag	Joins WiFi, Home Assistant API
Standalone (configs/standalone.yaml)	NEC + laser tag	AP hotspot only, no hub required

IR protocols (selectable)

Protocol	File	Use case
Laser Tag	protocols/ir_laser_tag.yaml	Multi-player laser tag guns (recommended)
NEC	protocols/ir_nec.yaml	Standard TV remotes (testing)
Raw	protocols/ir_raw.yaml	Protocol analysis / development

Links

• Product page
• Support & documentation
• GitHub repository
• Device manuals (PDF)