A Low Cost, Open Source Streaming Thermal Camera
We've come up with a simple, low cost, open source streaming thermal camera that runs on Raspberry Pi. The system is based on the SEEK Thermal Camera which offers 204x156 resolution.
The thermal images are streamed using MJPEG, and can be viewed with any web browser. We're working on a simple Android App to control the camera remotely. I've tested it with Mission Planner, and it works as the background video for the Mission Planner HUD. It only uses about 240kps bandwidth when streaming via WiFi
We have the software running on both Raspberry Pi 2 in Debian Wheezy, as well as on an Odroid XU running Ubuntu 14.04. The camera runs as a ROS Topic, using the ROS MJPEG Server.
The whole system weighs 167 grams and includes a 5V Power supply that will record and stream thermal video for about 2 hours. The battery is recharged using USB.
I think this camera could easily be adapted to work with the 3DR Solo's WiFi network. It might even be possible to run it on the Solo's on board computer, eliminating the need for the Raspberry Pi entirely. Unfortunately, I don't have a Solo to test this.
Right now we're looking for beta testers of this camera system. We have it working as a 'Plug and Play' system of the Phantom. It's very reliable and the software is evolving quickly. If you would be interested in our Open Beta, we can provide a complete working system to you for $500.
Replies
Rick - I'm heading out at the moment, but can you contact me at my regular email: billrockus [at] gmail.com
It will be much easier to communicate directly than through this forum. I should be back late this afternoon.
Rick Beichler said:
I would also like to inquire about ordering the complete system, please. This would be used for security purposes as well.
In order to make this work, you need the computer, the cabling for the Seek Thermal Camera, a power supply (you can't use the Phantom battery) and the software, which has been a work in progress for the past 6 months and a way to mount it. .
The system streams the thermal images through WiFi and can use the Range Extender on your Phantom 2 Vision Plus. I can provide you the complete system, including 3D Printed mounting parts for fee. I found I get the best results calibrating each camera individually.
The software today really requires that you have a basic knowledge of linux, and understand networking enough to figure out the IP address of a device on the Phantom's network. I do have a disk image that will automatically connect to the first WiFi network it sees.
I'm planning a crowdfunding campaign to finish the development of the software. Luckily, I'm a pretty experienced software developer, having spent 14 years operating a consulting business that did enterprise wide projects for Corporate america. We have a pretty slick web based UX planned that will run on any platform.
I own a Seek Thermal camera and have been trying to make something like this work for Law Enforcement needs. If I purchase a Rasberry Pi 3 what other items would I need to make this work? I would be using this with my DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus which has it's own wifi.
I can see that this could be a great addition to Law Enforcement for search and rescue operations. I had attempted to stream my Seek Thermal camera screen through Samsung Side Synch but needed a seperate wifi system. I am so glad that I found this thread and can't wait to start the process of making this work.
This looks to be very interesting, and I would definitely like to participate in your Open Beta on a complete working system. Please let me know how to get this started...thanks!
Here is a video of images from the SEEK Thermal Camera running in the Mission Planner HUD. Please note, this camera still needs to be calibrated for dead pixels. This video was also recorded at 15fps.