Design and Implementation of a Multi-Sensor IoT System for Smart Laboratory Monitoring and Access Control Using ESP32

Abstract

This paper presents the design and practical implementation of an IoT-based smart laboratory monitoring and access-control system using an ESP32 microcontroller. The proposed system addresses limitations of conventional laboratory monitoring by integrating environmental monitoring, human presence detection, and access control within a unified platform. The implemented system consists of a DHT22 sensor for temperature and humidity measurement, an MQ-2 sensor for smoke and gas detection, a PIR motion sensor for human presence detection, and an RC522 RFID module for automated access control. The ESP32 serves as the central processing and communication unit, collecting data from the connected sensors, processing the measurements, and supporting wireless communication through its integrated Wi-Fi capability. The study adopts a design-based Cisco PPDIOO framework to structure the implementation process. Experimental results confirm the feasibility and reliability of the deployed system in detecting environmental hazards and managing laboratory safety in real time.