When I refer to mobile webcams I am referring to a camera which can not only pan to the left, right, up and down, but also move around its area by some means motion.
I’ve always been into gadgets, but when I first saw a robot called Spykee I thought what a great idea.
Spykee is made by Meccano, it’s a full on robot, it stands about a foot and a bit high and has a built in webcam, speaker and microphone, it moves around on its own tracks.
It connects to your wireless network, and can be remotely controlled from your computer using Spykee’s control software, from this you can see where Spykee is heading and then chat to anyone remotely this way.
Spykee can also be controlled by mobile phones (as long as the connection is fast enough) you don’t even need to be on the same network, you just need to port forward your router to Spykee’s IP address and hey presto you can control him from anywhere in the world.
What can Spykee be used for?
To begin with it’s great fun to build Spykee and be able to just control him remotely.
It makes great entertainment for young children as he can follow and interact with them.
He can be set to surveillance mode and used as a watch dog, and take pictures and email them to you if he catches any movement, it’s a good way to keep an eye on your house or anywhere else with a wireless connection when you’re not around.
He can be used to chat over programs such as Skype.
Can be used as a music player
In use
As far as mobile webcams go the price of around £160 is very cheap, the robot stands quite tall at around 1.5 feet, he has 3 large tracked wheels with powerful motors which gives very good maneuverability.
Initially controlling Spykee can be fiddly, and if you try to go over larger objects he can topple over, but once you’re aware of this its gets much easier.
One really neat little feature about Spykee is the ability to charge himself, once his battery runs lows he returns to his charging station.
You can also manually send him back to charge by hitting the battery icon from your computer or phone.
Spykee can be built into your choice of 3 models.
If you’re looking for a webcam that actually moves around, or are simply into gadgets go get one they are superb, very well built and thought out.
Thats awesome, i’m currently looking for one of these Meccano Spykee robots, here in the US its called Spykee Erector, apart from the same is exactly the same, currently am watching a couple on eBay, let you know if i get one and what its like in my opinion