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Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

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Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#11

Post by tildef »

I used the S62 as a daily driver for a couple of years and it was fairly decent. The convenience of having a thermal camera in your pocket at all times was remarkable, and it's one of those things you kind of miss when it's gone (my daily use for it was checking if the coffee was cool enough to drink--yes, I know my tasting organs provide much of the same functionality...) However, the resolution of the thermal camera wasn't particularly great, and the 9 fps refresh rate was also a bit limiting. Still, for checking for drafts, occasional electronics repairs and a general party trick it was great.

Eventually I got a new phone from work, which I grudgingly accepted since I wanted Android 12 and a better visible-light camera, but I missed the thermal cam sufficiently that I got an Infiray P2 off Ali as a plug-in substitute. The resolution and refresh rate are a lot better than the Cat, but having to carry an extra dongle (and plugging it in, starting the app, restarting the app when it crashes...) sometimes makes me consider going back. If/when Cat makes a successor, I'd be very tempted to get it.

Edit: The usb-c cam in question for those who are interested https://www.infiray.com/p2-pro-thermal-camera-for-smartphone... (available from the usual suspects)

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#13

Post by ajsnigrutin »

andrewia wrote: post #4

This phone has been out since Spring 2022. Any reason for the post? If we want to talk about the utility of a thermal camera, I found it neat. I used a $150 Seek camera to diagnose poor insulation in my bedroom, and one contractor even offered free advice over email since the images were clear enough. I've also used it to find hot ICs on a PCB. The resolution of these lower cost modules isn't great, which you can see…

> This phone has been out since Spring 2022. Any reason for the post?

also, they offered phones with flir cameras before, so nothing new on this front either.

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#14

Post by defrost »

CyanBird wrote: post #5

Saw it on LinusTechTips and had to pause the video for a moment, thats a very very useful feature, not much else to add. The phone is certainly being targeted towards professionals which at least from me takes the shine away to a degree, as the features I would love to go along with it such as AI assisted night vision or the 3.5mm audio jack won't be in it It is certainly on my radar wherever my current phone finally…

I suspect these:

> Drop tested multiple times onto concrete & solid steel from up to 1.8m (6ft) to prove their rugged credentials.

> Designed to exceed MIL-SPEC 810H protection against dust, as well as shock, water, vibration and extreme temperatures.

> IP68 & IP69 rating system proves your phone can handle not just a brief dunk in water but also complete submersion.

> Wash and sanitise with soaps, hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial sprays, alcohol wipes and even bleach.

are features attractive to many who work outdoors in construction, engineering, surveying, hands on dirty roles.

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#15

Post by Manuel_D »

I wonder what the performance will be with such a small sensor and aperture. Usually FLIR scopes have massive apertures to collect as much light as possible. Medium wave infrared signals are extremely weak compared to visual light, and so sensors either have to be cryogenically cooled to allow for large gain with little noise or a large aperture to collect enough light. Or better yet, both.

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#16

Post by theCrowing »

andrewia wrote: post #4

This phone has been out since Spring 2022. Any reason for the post? If we want to talk about the utility of a thermal camera, I found it neat. I used a $150 Seek camera to diagnose poor insulation in my bedroom, and one contractor even offered free advice over email since the images were clear enough. I've also used it to find hot ICs on a PCB. The resolution of these lower cost modules isn't great, which you can see…

Linus used it in his last video.

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#17

Post by zoklet-enjoyer »

andrewia wrote: post #4

This phone has been out since Spring 2022. Any reason for the post? If we want to talk about the utility of a thermal camera, I found it neat. I used a $150 Seek camera to diagnose poor insulation in my bedroom, and one contractor even offered free advice over email since the images were clear enough. I've also used it to find hot ICs on a PCB. The resolution of these lower cost modules isn't great, which you can see…

I purchased a phone with built in FLIR for a friend in Australia. It was cheaper for me to buy it in the US, ship it, and pay a bunch for insurance than for her to buy it locally.

You can see the phone at 4min in this video https://youtu.be/BDUOtlVc4UM

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#18

Post by numpad0 »

wlesieutre wrote: post #6
vardump wrote: post #3

No mention about thermal camera resolution, even in the "Full Tech Specs". Although it does mention it's using FLIR Lepton 3.5 sensor. Seems to be 9 fps at 160x120. [0] [0]: https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/f/flir/lepton-3...

9 fps is because if the framerate is any higher it would be subject to ITAR export controls, that's going to be a limit you find on any similar cameras

This is rather disappointing especially there are now 25fps Hikmicro cameras at similar prices.

Re: Caterpillar offers phone with built-in FLIR camera

#20

Post by marmetio »

Manuel_D wrote: post #15

I wonder what the performance will be with such a small sensor and aperture. Usually FLIR scopes have massive apertures to collect as much light as possible. Medium wave infrared signals are extremely weak compared to visual light, and so sensors either have to be cryogenically cooled to allow for large gain with little noise or a large aperture to collect enough light. Or better yet, both.

Probably works the same as every other device that uses the FLIR lepton 3.5.
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