11. Applications and implications

FINAL PROJECT (Low cost Trap Camera)

My final project will be a trap camera, that is going to have a PIR sensor to detect movements to work as a trigger for the camera, also I am going to include a temperature-humidity sensor which let monitoring the environmental conditions of the camera case.

I considered that a good approach could be to divide the project by hardware and software related targets and follow which of them have been achieved and what are tasks remained.

What questions need to be resolved?

  • Is it possible to build a camera with waterproof and dust resistance conditions at a low cost?

  • Is there any option to include Infrared or low light vision to the camera maintaining a low-cost rate?

  • How much memory storage is required to include a real-time video capture monitoring once the cam it’s triggered?

  • what power supply option is the best to give enough energy and keep a long-term continuous working of the device?

What will it do?

Activate video capture a send it to a web or cell phone app once a motion detection sensor detects an animal moving near of the device

Who’s done what beforehand?

There are lots of commercial options with different features and prices in the market, there other examples of that kind of device using Rasberry pi, there are projects which make the trigger with a PIR sensor for DSLR cameras.I found a Documentation with some info considering this idea as a possible final option but she didn’t follow it till the end.

What will you design?

A waterproof and dust resistant camera case to keep the electronics components safe from tropical ecosystems environmental conditions. A PCB to connect the ESP32CAM and the other two sensors. A security belt mechanism to avoid animals or hunters stolen the device

What materials and components will be used?

What parts and systems will be made?

  • Casing.
  • Sensors and camera PCB.
  • Code for the device to read from sensors.
  • Code for the device to take pictures.
  • Code for the device to write files to an SD card.
  • Fastening system.

What processes will be used?

Laser cutting, 3D Design, 3D printing o Molding, and Casting Electronics design and production

How will it be evaluated?

Protection features of the case could be tested by previous essays at the lab which try to replicate IP rating parameters.

Motion detection, the trigger mechanism, and the input image could be tested with cats and racoon populations at faculty facilities.