This project will only be funded if at least $40,000 is pledged by .
Imagine a camera that's smaller and wireless that you install anywhere. That’s WiCAM. WiFi and Bluetooth enabled coin cam!
About this project
Why WiCAM?
Some days it feels like our world isn't as safe as it used to be. People get robbed on the street, burglar sneaks into our house from the back yard, or bikers get hit by the car behind them. What if we had an extra eye to watch our back knowing if we're being followed by someone on the street, or watch the bad drivers from the back of my bike? What if we could see who’s in the backyard or front door without showing ourselves?
Yes, we can solve them with a camera! But, the cameras we have are either huge or wired which makes them impossible to carry. Or they are power hungry and we have to charge battery multiple times each day. Eventually they became expensive high tech toys sitting inside the drawer.
We need something better! It has to be wireless and super small, easy to carry and can be installed anywhere. And it has to be super low power so that a single charge can run for a long time. That’s why we created WiCam.
History
We started work on WiCam in July 2015 and demonstrated the first working prototype at Maker Faire New York in September 2015. The reaction was nothing less than astounding. We met folks who want to use WiCam on their drone, inspired robot builders, and a bodyguard who was excited about wearable surveillance. Perhaps what inspired us most was kids' reaction who had some of the most imaginative ideas about what they do with WiCam. Everyone that has seen the prototype has asked when and where they can buy it. After month's of hard work, we're set to move from prototype to commercial availability.
A Tiny Coin Sized WiFi and Bluetooth camera that You Can Install Anywhere!
WiCam is different from other cameras. It was designed from the ground up to be tiny, use little power and be completely self-contained. Not much larger than a coin, you can put WiCam in your pocket and take it wherever you go!
Power Hungry?
It sucks when your camera went out of juice. Compared to regular cameras, WiCam consumes only 5% of the power used by a regular camera. That means it's not the usual camera you know or have. Super low power empowers WiCam with worry-free magic. Attach it and use it. Forget about wires, forget about daily charging.
Wide angle, larger view
WiCAM uses a 120 degree wide angle lens. You can attach WiCAM to the back of a bike and use it as a rear-view camera. WiCAM catches what you can’t see behind you and redisplays it on your smartphone.
Now you are assured that drivers behind you will do the right things when they know they’re being watched.
WiCam is born to be wild!
WiCam is not like a usual security camera that has to stay at home and connected to your router. WiCam is meant to be wild! You can connect to WiCam directly from your smartphone at any place. WiCam expands your vision and help you see what you can't see remotely.
WiCAM is ideal for replacing some of the security cameras - especially for yards, landscapes, farmlands and camping sites. Its battery can last for months and has a maximum of 30 meters distance wireless coverage in open areas.
You could also use WiCam outside the camping tent and watch the bear walking outside your tent from the WiCam, safely.
Wireless Camera on cars
WiCam can also be used on cars and watch any blind spots from your smartphone. WiCam streams video wirelessly to your smartphone without wiring in the front or back of your car.
Open Source, designed with Makers in mind!
WiCam is a state-of-the-art wireless video camera supporting Wifi and Bluetooth technology. With a rich API designed for Makers, this camera can quickly be integrated into almost any project.
WiCAM is made with makers in mind. It’s fully open documents and SDK could help you easily integrate WiCam into a Drone, a Robot, and many more.
WiCAM has a built in temperature sensor for smart home temperature monitoring! It also has an I2S audio interface allow you to incorporate wireless audio!
WiCam specifications
- Weight: 55g
- Dimension: 3.2 x 3.6 x 2.4 cm
- 2 megapixel CMOS camera
- 120 degree wide angle lens
- 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz WiFi connectivity, Wi-Fi Certified
- Bluetooth Low Energy 4 connectivity.
- Picture resolution: 1600x1200 pixels JPEG image
- Video Format: motion JPEG, 640x480, 7fps
- Power consumption under wireless streaming: 0.5W
- Power consumption under Standard mode: 0.009W
- Power consumption under Sleep mode: 80uW
- Battery: 500mAh Lithium polymer battery. Charge directly from USB port.
- Onboard temperature sensor
- Waterproof level: rainproof
Choose your Perks
There are three different mounting accessories you can choose for WiCam based on your needs.
WiCam + Bike Mount option
If you like biking, pick the WiCam + Bike Mount option and use WiCam as a rearview camera.
WiCam + Magnetic mount option
If you need to install WiCam on metal surfaces, pick the WiCam + Magnetic mount option.
WiCam + Adhesive mount option
If you need to install WiCam on wood or concrete surfaces, pick WiCam + Adhesive mount option.
Big Pack: 4 WiCams
If you need more WiCams, and you missed all the Super Early Bird option. The Big Pack: 4 WiCams option is the best deal.
Developer Kit option
If you are a maker and would like to integrate WiCam into your project, pick the Developer Kit option. You get all the tools you need to integrate WiCam into your project.
Updates
[Mar 1st, 2016] Here's a demo of the WiCAM live video under low light condition and live streaming from iOS app.
Risks and challenges
After the last 8 months of soldering, coding, hacking and iteration, WiCam is developed and in its finalize stages of refinement. Technical risks are very low at this stage since the hardware has been extensively tested and the software is nearly complete. With the technical challenges behind us, we are facing the challenge to bring WiCam into the hands of everyone. The only major risk that we are facing is to get the production volumes up in order to get the price down and that's why we are here for crowdfunding.
We have established fantastic working relationships with component suppliers, PCBA and tooling factories to bring you the highest quality coin cam on time. However, unforeseen events such as other players on the market may purchase the same components in large volumes just the time before us. Getting the product in time to you is always one of our first priorities, and we keep close relationships with our component suppliers to make sure those critical components are buffered and reserved for our Kickstarter backers. If in case a delay were to occur, we will always keep all backers up to date, as we understand the importance of communication and we really want to share this entire experience with you all.
FAQ
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Yes! Simply adjust the pledge amount to the multiple of $68 CAD and let us know by sending us a message.
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Yes. You are welcomed to add mount options. Just adjusting the pledge amount with $14 CAD and let us know which mount option you would like to have by sending us a message.
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Unfortunately, WiCAM doesn't come with night vision at the moment. but we'll look into that in the future.
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WiCam is not completely waterproof but it can stand for rainy days, just don't put it in the water.