Using Flask to Send Data to a Raspberry Pi

Pages
Contributors: SFUptownMaker
Favorited Favorite 7

Introduction

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to send data from cheap WiFi nodes to a Raspberry Pi over an internal WiFi network. It relies on the Flask framework for Python, which is a relatively simple-to-use method of creating a web application that can execute Python scripts.

Glamour shot of two boards from tutorial

We'll use a Raspberry Pi 3 and SparkFun ESP8266 Thing to demonstrate. We're going to send a very simple signal from the Thing board to the RasPi - just a signal to turn an attached LED on or off. Hopefully, it'll be obvious from the example how to send more complex signals and run more complex scripts upon receipt.

Suggested Reading

Before you tackle this project, there are a few other tutorials you may want to check out.

How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering

This tutorial covers everything you need to know about through-hole soldering.

ESP8266 Thing Hookup Guide

An overview of SparkFun's ESP8266 Thing - a development board for the Internet of...Things. This tutorial explains the circuitry driving the board, and how to get it up and running in an Arduino environment.

Raspberry gPIo

How to use either Python or C++ to drive the I/O lines on a Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi 3 Starter Kit Hookup Guide

Guide for getting going with the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ starter kit.

Required Materials

You'll need the items on this wishlist to complete this tutorial. Substitutions can be made; a Raspberry Pi Zero W can be substituted for the Pi 3, for instance, and individual components can be sourced instead of the full starter kit.

Required Tools

No special tools are required to follow this tutorial. You will need a soldering iron, solder, and general soldering accessories.

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

TOL-09163
$3.95
4
Soldering Iron - 30W (US, 110V)

Soldering Iron - 30W (US, 110V)

TOL-09507
$10.95
7