Disaster area camera to use renewable energy

Wind/solar powered camera prototype (via NHK)

Cameras provide much needed and strategic visual communication that helps rescue crews during natural or manmade disasters. The only problem is that during emergencies, electrical power may be compromised and so may the functionality of the camera. NHK, electronics company from Japan, has come up with a solution. They have created a robotic, portable camera that has its own hybrid power generation system and remotely transmits or broadcasts.

The camera unit has onboard solar panels as well as an ultra-light wind turbine with an added lens or brim. The turbine can deliver 1kW of electricity in winds of 11 m/s . The diameter of the turbine blades is a scant 1.38 mm, and it provides 2.2-2.5 more energy output than the solar panels.

For days when there is no wind or sun, the unit is also stacked with a storage battery of 1,200 Ah capacity, which can keep the camera recording for 2-3 days without added energy. The system has a programmed energy saving mode that turns off some unnecessary systems like wi-fi or satellite communications when it is running low on battery (other sections can also be turned off remotely).

The camera can transfer its video using high-speed data transmission through satellite and mobile phone transmission along with radio relay for broadcasting. This means that at any point, multiple transmissions can be occurring to different people in different locations. The cameras can also be remotely controlled to pan and zoom. Specific parts of footage can be remotely picked out and transmitted if desired.

The team says they intend their idea to be used in natural disasters when power is out, but this smells of something big brother would be particularly interested for other purposes, as well. (Am I the only one that is this cynical?) The system was engineered in conjunction with Kyushu University. NHK installed one of these robotic cameras atop the Watari, Miyagi Prefecture on August 29, 2012. NHK will observe the systems for about 12 years. The goal is to collect enough data to find how the robotic camera can record and operate in conjunction with the hybrid power generation unit. A side benefit of the study shows how the storage batteries handle the varying power load. All this information will lead to better units in the future.

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