Summary
- You can build a privacy-first security camera with Raspberry Pi Zero 2 and open-source firmware.
- The project includes end-to-end encryption, on-device ML, encrypted push notifications, and OTA updates.
- Join the waitlist for pre-production units or build one with the project’s setup guide.
If you really want to make sure that nobody is spying on you through your home security camera, the best way is to make one yourself. Unfortunately, going from nothing to creating a full privacy-first camera system is no easy feat. The good news is, there are plenty of tinkerers out there who have done all the hard work for you, and you just need to follow in their footsteps.
Such is the case with this 3D-printed camera, which the creator claims is highly respectful of your privacy. If you’d like one, you can put your name forward to receive a pre-production model to test; however, as long as you’re okay with finding or printing your own shell, you can make one at home using the camera’s setup guide.
You too can build this awesome ISS tracker with a Raspberry Pi
Yes, the big flip switch does something.
You, too, can make this DIY security camera at home
Or you can apply to be one of its first testers
Over on the Raspberry Pi subreddit, user therealPaulPlay has posted the second prototype of their latest project. Titled the ROOT Observer, this camera combines a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 with a 3D printed shell, and its maker claims that it puts your privacy first and foremost.
Here’s how its creator describes the ROOT Observer’s security features:
The last few months I’ve spent building the open-source firmware and app to power this device. It enables end-to-end encryption, on device ML for event detection, encrypted push notifications, OTA updates, health monitoring and more.
The camera is a standalone device that connects to a dumb relay server that cannot decrypt the messages that are sent across. This way, it works right out of the box.
The creator has opened up a waitlist for people who want to be included in the first testing wave of pre-production units. If you’d like that, head over to the ROOT website, click “Email Waitlist,” and see if you can reserve yourself a spot.
On the other hand, if you have a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, a camera module, and a 32GB+ micro SD card (the more space, the better), you can head over to the project’s setup guide and make one yourself. Unfortunately, the creator is still fixing issues with the shell’s STL files, so you’ll need to find or make your own housing. However, the guide should let you get the core of a privacy-based security camera up and running, and the creator claims there are “many designs (e.g., on the Bambu app) that work well for use with the ROOT software.”
