Sounds like sub-$1000 UAV-quality IR camera are coming soon. FLIR announced an IR camera for smartphones today, along with the low-cost sensor package (Lepton) behind it.
FLIR Systems, Inc.announces the launch of FLIR ONE™, the first consumer-oriented thermal imaging system. Introduced today at CES 2014, FLIR ONE places the power of thermal imaging technology into the palm of the consumer via an easy-to-use smartphone accessory case.
FLIR ONE attaches to any Apple iPhone 5 or 5s* smartphone and displays a live thermal image on the phone's screen, giving users the unprecedented ability to see the world in a way the naked eye cannot, including in complete darkness. With a targeted MSRP of $349, FLIR ONE senses heat rather than light utilizing FLIR's revolutionary new Lepton™ camera core. This core incorporates the same FLIR® thermal imaging technology that has revolutionized the way the world thinks about security, public safety, energy efficiency, nighttime navigation, industrial production, preventive maintenance, and the enjoyment of the outdoors.
FLIR ONE's unique ability to see and measure infrared energy gives consumers a versatile new tool that can be applied in a wide variety of applications. For example, homeowners and contractors with a FLIR ONE can easily identify heat or cooling leaks in buildings, find studs in walls, or locate water damage. An outdoor enthusiast can observe wildlife, day or night, navigate in the dark, determine if the day's catch is fully cooked, or make sure a campfire is out by using FLIR ONE. A family can detect intruders in total darkness, find a lost pet, or see through smoke in an emergency using a FLIR ONE.
A worldwide rollout for FLIR ONE is planned for spring 2014, and it will be available in gray, white, or gold colors. FLIR ONE houses its own rechargeable battery that can power the device for two hours of continuous use and can boost iPhone 5 battery life by up to 50 percent.
"FLIR ONE represents a dramatic step in our pursuit of 'infrared everywhere.' As the first truly consumer focused thermal imager, FLIR ONE introduces thermal imaging technology to a completely new group of customers than we currently serve," said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR. "Our products have a rich history of enabling users to do things they thought impossible, and we are enthusiastic to see how consumers enable further innovation through the creation of new applications for thermal imaging."
Comments
Of course, you'll want something with 600TVL or more to be usable IMO, but this is a good step forward. What do we recon - 2 years and we have $200 versions in a 12V, 38x38mm format with "standard" +, ground and signal outs?
Notice that the Flir ONE has two cameras. A normal visual camera, and a thermal camera.
I am assuming the reason for this is to 'fake' higher resolution results. The trick is to have a low resolution thermal camera (there is a reason they never mention any thermal resolution nowhere, not even in datasheets. My bet is something like a 32x20 pixel sensor or 64x32 if we are very lucky), and use the contrast from the high resolution normal camera to make details. The resulting 'thermal' pictures look much better and makes it easier to see where the hot/cold spots are. But it is not a scientific true representation of thermal data. The image that Scott posted with high detail true thermal, would for example not be possible.
I want one! Now how do I fit it into my iris and beam the images back???
Resolution doesn't look bad from illustrations shown and the price is certainly a major breakthrough.
I think this unit is going to be instantly hacked for use not on a IPhone.
Wonder how long individual exposures need to be?
I have a FLIR b50 for my job and this flir one doesn't come close. They say you can see air leaks around power outlets but all the show is a cold spot on the wall. An air leak will look like this (sorry, didn't have one from an actual wall outlet, but they look the same):
Unless you are trying to do this during a wind storm, you will need a blower door to get this result. They run about $3000.
The other thing I noticed from watching the video was poor frame rate, low resolution and most of the images were very close up.
Trying to use this on a flying object will be very limited and I would caution anyone about these before they are shown tested from a flying object.
This gallery shows some pictures/video's they seem to be of the FLIR ONE
http://www.flir.com/flirone/gallery/
U r right :)
Actually they look good because of that nice tiny print item at the beginning of the video that says: ‘thermal images shown for illustration purposes only.. and may have not been taken by the camera series depicted’
Which means they didn't use the camera for the marketing materials.. otherwise that would have been in large font with something like 'actual images from camera' sort of thing.. not some 6pt font hidden at the bottom of the video at the beginning.
It looks like the thermal sensor is pretty low resolution, but the final images look good because they are composites with the visible light camera in the iphone and the thermal sensor. But this still might be a was to get thermal sensors cheep enough to put in hobby UAVs.
when is the turn for Gopro to do this step?
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