[Partner Content] The tCam-Mini is a small, wireless streaming thermal imaging camera for FLIR Lepton sensors with an iOS application making this tech easy-to-integrate, now available in a portable, cost-friendly bundle.
The tCam-Mini is a small, wireless streaming thermal imaging camera for FLIR Lepton sensors with an iOS application making this tech easy-to-integrate, now available in a portable, cost-friendly bundle.
The creator of the tCam-Mini, Dan Julio, found his passion in the Maker Movement after holding a corporate job as a software developer. By getting his hands dirty in embedded electronics, the tCam-Mini was created as a passion project that has garnered 5K+ views on Hackster.io since its original launch in February 2021, and is now listed on GroupGets’ store. To complement its listing, GroupGets has created a group buy campaign for a convenient bundle of thermal imaging gear for enthusiasts looking to capture dynamic, thermal images through the lens of their iPhone or desktop application. The benefit of the hardware, software and firmware of the tCam-Mini being open-sourced is the transparency and multiple resources available that Julio created for the hobbyist photographer, research teams studying the environment, engineers needing an extra eye during PCB soldering, or for the average joe wanting an extra layer of security for their homes or offices.
Overview of the tCam-Mini (Rev 4)
The hardware was updated recently in March 2022 to have a USB-C connector and have direct connection to another microcontroller or SBC without using Wi-Fi to stream thermal data over hardwire instead of the airwaves. It also sports a newer version of the firmware and includes an antenna to allow for drone usage (found on Julio’s website).
The tCam-Mini is able to integrate easily with its desktop application running on Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and iOS allowing the instant gratification of being able to view data and use the Lepton camera immediately.
CP210N-A02 USB to UART bridge with ESP32 boot loader control
Multi-voltage power supply (3.3V, 3.0V, 2.8V, 2.2V)
Dual color (Red/Green) status LED
The Background of the tCam-Mini:
The open source availability of the hardware, firmware and software is something that cannot be stressed enough. Jullio’s regards for open source projects makes this device, along with future projects, a contribution to the larger “Maker Movement”:
“I became aware of the Maker Movement and Boulder’s local maker space, Solid State Depot, from the burning man crowd I was getting to know, “ says Julio. “...I really like the idea of a technical community with knowledge sharing as a core.”
Julio is continuing to sell the individual, tCam-Mini unit on GroupGets; however, he has also expanded its availability through the “tCam-Mini Bundle”, a group buy campaign.
This campaign features 3 components:
The tCam-Mini Rev 4
The Flir Lepton FS: a non-radiometric 160x120 resolution micro thermal camera module
An in-house, machined case compatible with GoPro mount.
What does group buy mean? The tCam-Mini bundle is ready to ship to campaign backers as long as the funding goal (10 backers needed) is met. At the time of this being written, there are 5 confirmed backers for the campaign.
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