Mesh camera trap network?

2017/04/09 13:29

Does anyone have something to share about wireless camera traps that make use of a mesh-network type of architecture. One such solution, BuckeyeCam allows cameras to route images through each other or a dedicated repeater. Does anyone have experience with these?

Alasdair

2017/04/10 19:42

Hi caseyslaught,

I've been working with wireless camera traps & backhaul (IRIDIUM / WiFi) for a number of years (ZSL Senior Tech Specialist) so should be able to assist. What do you have in mind?

I'm currently a Shuttleworth Foundation Fellow and exploring access to open, affordable conservation technologies, of which ultra affordable camera trapping is on the agenda so we may have some scope to prototype a few concepts if you're looking to setup a network.

Alasdair

ollie.wearn

2017/04/12 14:53

In reply to caseyslaught

Hi Casey,

I've not heard fantastic things about the Buckeye system - it seems limited by transmission range, especially in the forested+undulating terrain it sounds like you'll be deploying in. Perhaps < 100 m range (though you can buy directional yagi antennas to help with this).

I think @Redfoxmeek has done some trials with the Buckeyes in Australia and will be able to advise.

Cheers, Ollie

Markbowler

2017/04/29 12:24

In reply to caseyslaught

We got a Buckeye x80 to test. Its fast, but the image quality is low and we has some issues with schedules when trying to do a timelapse. Range in rainforest is about 100m - not enough! I'm yet to find a system that will work for us with decent performance even with solar panel and an antena above the canopy. Hope something new comes along soon!

leafy_forest

2017/08/28 20:16

In reply to Markbowler

Interesting. I have done work around mesh sensor networks, but not in terms of cameras. I will have to look into it.

jglcc2002

2017/10/03 03:30

We are working on that, developing our own cameras. Take a look to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-pvuCJCxQ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2XoNLCk-Mk

http://cooperation.epfl.ch/files/content/sites/cooperation/files/Tech4De...

nathanielrindlaub

2020/02/24 20:27

In reply to Alasdair

Hey Alasdair,

Our organization is interested in deploying some networked camera traps and we have our eye on the Buckeye x80s, but I am curious whether you know of any competitors or open-source alternatives that would be worth exploring. Has the hardware landscape changed at all since this thread began? We have access to WIFI at certain areas in the deployment location so any system with the ability to daisy-chain the cameras and with a WIFI backhaul would be worth looking at.

Best,

Nathaniel

Soseccombe

2020/02/26 17:17

In reply to nathanielrindlaub

Hi Nathaniel,

Have you seen Cuddelink?

https://www.cuddeback.com/cuddelink

I've never used them but they might be worth a look.

Best,

Sam

nathanielrindlaub

2020/02/28 15:02

In reply to Soseccombe

Hey Sam thanks so much for the tip! I did in fact come across Cuddelink (seems to be the only other non-wifi & non-cellular wireless meshing camera traps on the market as far as I can tell).

If anyone has experience with Cuddelinks, I'd love to hear about your experience with them.

Alasdair

2020/02/29 15:42

Hi @nathanielrindlaub ,

I haven't used Cuddelink myself but I'd be interested to hear from anyone else using it too.

There is no off-the-shelf open solution I know about at the moment that's ready to go, but there is R&D work to achieve what you are trying to do over long range WiFi that needs moving forward to the next stage.

More here in Arribada's blog - http://blog.arribada.org/2019/03/11/building-a-better-camera-trap/