NeoEyes NE101 Modular Sensing Camera

Capture images when your application needs them

NeoEyes NE101 is a complete, battery-powered ESP32-S3 sensing camera that supplies still images to your monitoring application. It sleeps between captures, wakes to take a picture and sends image data over the selected Wi-Fi, LTE Cat.1 or Wi-Fi HaLow connection. Choose it for periodic visual checks and custom event-triggered sensing where mains power is inconvenient.

Configure capture schedules, image settings, fill light and MQTT reporting through the local web interface. Your application handles image storage, visual analysis and alerts; OCR and application-specific recognition require separate software integration.

Typical applications

Remote meter reading

Capture water, electricity or gas meter displays for remote review or OCR processing in your application. Close-focus OV5640 options support installations near the meter face.

Object presence and status monitoring

Capture images to check whether items are present, shelves are stocked, or containers appear full or empty. Your application interprets visible states and changes from the images.

Wildlife observation

Collect periodic images of wildlife activity or develop motion-triggered capture with an external PIR sensor. Sensor-triggered operation requires compatible hardware, firmware integration and suitable enclosure provisions.

Agricultural monitoring

Document visible changes in crops, growing areas and irrigation equipment through scheduled images. Integrate NE101 with agricultural or weather-station systems to add visual context to sensor measurements.

Equipment and facility inspection

Capture equipment panels, indicator lights and accessible facility areas for remote inspection. Combine the images with your monitoring application to review visible conditions and investigate reported events.

Choose your network

Select connectivity before choosing a lens. Each version uses the same ESP32-S3 camera platform; the network hardware and regional support determine which infrastructure you need.

For LTE Cat.1, the regional model must match your carrier’s supported bands. For HaLow, arrange a compatible gateway separately and match its frequency to the camera. Standard Wi-Fi infrastructure does not replace the HaLow gateway. CamThink’s NE101 HaLow deployment guide documents an image-upload workflow using a Morse Micro HaLowLink gateway and an MQTT backend.

Match the lens to the target

Choose the field of view and focus distance together. Close-range options suit a camera positioned near a meter or instrument; standard-distance options suit subjects farther from the lens.

These are lens focus specifications, not guaranteed recognition distances. Check framing, lighting and image detail at the intended mounting position. Replacement OV5640 camera modules are available separately if the installation changes.

Optional USB camera module for custom development

For hands-on camera development, the separately sold SC200AI USB Camera Module offers 1080p imaging with 51° / 4 m, 88° / 3 m or 137° / 2 m HFOV/fixed-focus options. It connects to NE101's dedicated USB camera port using the matching cable and requires UVC-enabled firmware. Check shared GPIO availability and enclosure fit when combining it with other modules.

From image capture to your application

Configure periodic or triggered capture

Use scheduled, interval or button capture for routine observations. NE101 supports external PIR sensor integration and Alarm-In triggering; sensor-based capture requires compatible external hardware and the corresponding configuration or firmware integration. The built-in fill light can assist close-range capture in low light.

A dedicated NE101 PIR version is in development, with development completion targeted for December 2026. The current standard camera does not include a PIR sensor.

Receive images through MQTT

NE101 publishes JSON messages containing Base64-encoded JPEG images and device metadata. Provide a reachable MQTT broker and a receiving application to decode, store or process the images. MQTTS is available with the appropriate server and certificate configuration. The NE101 quick start covers camera setup and verification of image reporting.

Extend the firmware and hardware

The open-source lowpower_camera firmware provides a starting point for modifying capture logic, power management and communications. The low-power image acquisition example explains how those functions work together.

NE101 supports Alarm-In and PIR sensor integration, with 16-pin expansion, Type-C and UART access for development. Interface availability and GPIO assignments depend on the mainboard revision and installed modules. Check the hardware connection and pin assignments before combining extensions.

Plan power and mounting

The standard camera operates on four AA batteries. Use the NE101 battery calculator to estimate consumption and runtime for your selected network, capture frequency and fill-light settings. Select NE101 and the appropriate Wi-Fi, LTE Cat.1 or HaLow configuration. Actual runtime varies with site conditions and battery selection.

The enclosure is rated IP67. Choose a NeoEyes mounting bracket for the mounting surface and viewing angle. Brackets are sold separately, with options for wall, pole, meter-facing and flat-surface installations.

The motherboard also supports Type-C power. External wired or solar power requires a suitable enclosure cable entry. Arrange the USB-C power configuration with CamThink before ordering to confirm the compatible back cover, cable and sealing arrangement.

What you receive and what to prepare

Included with your camera

• 1 × complete NeoEyes NE101 camera with the selected connectivity configuration and OV5640 lens module installed.
• Standard IP67 enclosure; weather shield not included.

Prepare for deployment

Provide four AA batteries, a Wi-Fi-capable phone or computer for local Web UI setup, and an MQTT broker with a receiving application. For connectivity, prepare a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, a compatible LTE SIM and data plan, or a matching HaLow gateway with network access to the broker. Mounting brackets and external trigger sensors are sold separately.

Accessories for your installation

The following accessories are sold separately. Choose them according to your mounting, power or development needs.

• NeoEyes mounting brackets help position the camera on a wall, pole, meter or flat surface. Select the mount for your installation surface and required viewing angle.
• 10W solar panel and 7Ah battery kit provides an external-power option for off-grid sites. Standard battery-version cameras require the USB-C cable and back-cover configuration; choose the kit with USB-C accessories and confirm installation and sealing with CamThink before ordering.
• OV5640 camera modules let you evaluate a different field of view or focus distance, or keep a replacement on hand. Your camera already includes the lens option selected above.
• Sensor Expansion Board for NE101 and NE301 supports custom sensor-integration projects. It is a board-only accessory; sensors and cables are separate. NE101 use requires mainboard-version and IO checks, driver adaptation and firmware validation.

OEM/ODM Project Customization

CamThink supports OEM/ODM customization for power configurations, lenses, interfaces and sensor integration. To discuss your project, email CamThink sales with your deployment country, network, target distance and capture interval.