A wireless hardware remote control for the OpenPiste fencing scoring platform
Part of the OpenPiste open source fencing electronics ecosystem.
The CYD Remote Control is a dedicated physical remote control for the OpenPiste ESP32 scoring device. It is built around the Cheap Yellow Display (CYD) — an inexpensive ESP32 development board with an integrated 2.8" touchscreen display — combined with a LiPo battery and a single external button. No custom PCB is required.
The device connects over WiFi and communicates via FPA over UDP, one of the protocols used throughout the OpenPiste platform. Because it uses WiFi rather than infrared, it works from any angle and through obstacles — no line-of-sight issues.
A ready-to-print enclosure is available on Printables.
- Touchscreen interface — all standard scoring device functions accessible on-screen
- WiFi / MQTT communication — no pairing cables, no line-of-sight requirement
- Fencer names on screen — the display shows the names of the current match's fencers, received live from the scoring device
- Any remote, any device — each remote can connect to any scoring device on the same network; no fixed pairing needed
- Minimal hardware — CYD board + LiPo battery + one external button; no custom PCB
- 3D-printed enclosure — STL files available on Printables; print-and-assemble in an afternoon
- Open source — firmware, enclosure, all of it
| Component | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cheap Yellow Display (CYD) | ESP32-2432S028 or compatible |
| LiPo battery | Size to fit your chosen enclosure |
| Push button | External button for primary action |
| 3D-printed enclosure | STLs on Printables (link above) |
The CYD board is widely available from the usual suppliers (AliExpress, etc.) for around €10–15. Combined with a LiPo cell and a printed enclosure, the total BOM cost is well under €20.
- The remote connects to the local WiFi of the OpenPiste scoring device.
- The remote displays the information from the scoring device on its touchscreen in real time.
- Touch controls and the external button send commands to the scoring.
A remote will work with any scoring device — useful at clubs running multiple pistes.
The remote provides access to all standard remote control functions for the scoring device, including:
- Score management (point award, correction, annulation)
- Penalty cards, including P-Cards
- Timer control (start, stop, reset)
- Period management
- Passivity timer
- Match configuration
- Priority
- PlatformIO (recommended) or Arduino IDE with ESP32 support
- A running OpenPiste scoring device
git clone https://github.com/pietwauters/CYDRemoteControl.git
cd CYDRemoteControlOpen in PlatformIO, then build and flash to the CYD board.
| Component | Repository |
|---|---|
| Scoring device (MQTT) | esp32scoringdeviceMqtt |
| Weapon & wire tester | ImprovedTesterAfterGenova |
| Hardware remote (this repo) | CYDRemoteControl |
| Mobile app remote | (link to be added) |
| Piste monitor (browser) | CyranoPisteMonitor |
| Electronics designs | (link to be added) |
The platform is developed by a member of the FIE SEMI Commission (International Fencing Federation) and the EFC SEMI Commission (European Fencing Confederation), and has been field-tested at international competition level.
Contributions are welcome. Please read CONTRIBUTING.md before submitting a pull request.
By contributing, you agree to the terms of the Contributor License Agreement (CLA) described in that document.
This project is licensed under the MIT License — see LICENSE for details.
- The Cheap Yellow Display community for documentation and examples
- The armourers and officials who provided feedback during field testing at the European Fencing Championships, Genova