~$200
Unit Cost
Enclosure + solar + phone
12MP
Capture Quality
CameraX, every 5 min
15GB
Monthly Data
Boost Mobile $30/40GB
$30
Monthly Cost
SIM only, existing infrastructure
Upload Pipeline
Capture
CameraX API, 12MP, every 5 min via foreground service
Resize
BitmapFactory inSampleSize → 980px web copy
ZIP
java.util.zip STORED (web/ + fullsize/)
Upload
OkHttp POST to Cloudflare Worker with camera token
Display
Camera Wall shows images (same as DSLR fleet)
Hardware
Phone Options
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: $140–190 used — IP67, OIS, 48MP
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G: $120–200 used — IP67, OIS, 50MP, battery 80% cap
- Google Pixel 6a: $150–180 used — best Camera2 API, IP67
- Samsung XCover 7: $599 new — removable battery, MIL-STD-810H
Enclosure
- Box: White ABS IP65 (200×120×75mm)
- Window: 25mm borosilicate glass optical window
- Vent: M12 ePTFE breather vent (anti-condensation)
- Connector: IP67 panel-mount USB-C connector
- Cradle: EVA foam or 3D-printed phone cradle
Power
- Solar: 20W monocrystalline solar panel (~$50–70)
- Controller: Waveshare Solar Power Manager + 18650 cells (~$25–40)
- Mains variant: USB-C adapter only (~$15)
- Draw: Phone draws ~1–1.5W average (duty-cycled capture)
Mounting
- Scaffold pole: Coupler + plate ($15–25)
- Hoarding: Through-bolt + backing plate ($5–10)
- Steel: 40kg neodymium magnetic base ($15–30)
- Window: RAM suction cup + safety tether ($30–45)
Software Stack
Android APK
- Capture: CameraX for capture (not raw Camera2)
- Service: Foreground service with persistent notification
- Scheduling: WorkManager for upload queue
- HTTP: OkHttp 4.x for HTTP POST
- Heartbeat: Every 10 min (battery %, storage %, signal dBm)
Kiosk Lockdown
- Lockdown: Device Owner mode via ADB (free) or Fully Kiosk ($9)
- Battery: Samsung battery optimization disabled
- Updates: OTA updates blocked
- Crash recovery: Auto-restart on crash (BOOT_COMPLETED receiver)
- Remote access: ADB over WiFi or TeamViewer Host
Risks & Mitigations
Thermal — Phones shut down at 60°C+. White enclosure, shade, and ventilation required. Avoid dark-coloured boxes or direct sun on the phone screen.
Battery — 100% charge + heat = 35% degradation/year. Use 80% cap (Samsung) or dummy battery mod to extend lifespan.
Background apps — Android kills background apps aggressively. Samsung is the worst offender. Disable all battery optimization for the camera APK.
Novel approach — No commercial phone-as-camera product exists for construction. This is genuinely novel territory with no off-the-shelf competition.
vs DSLR-Pi
| Attribute | Smartphone Camera | DSLR-Pi |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Cost | $160–240 | $600–800 |
| Image Quality | 12MP Good | 18MP Excellent |
| Power | Solar | Mains |
| Connectivity | 4G built-in | Ethernet/WiFi |
| Install | Anyone | Electrician |
| Best For | Short/budget/remote | Long-term/premium |