Seriously though, if you work in the construction industry or have ever stored valuables in the bed of your truck, then you know the anxiety that you feel anytime you have to leave your truck in a parking lot. Countless numbers of expensive tools and equipment are stolen from work trucks every day. Chances are you probably know at least one person who this has happened to. Heck it’s happened to me! So, what is the solution? Should we electrify our truck beds and watch those damn thieves’ fry! Well maybe there is a less ah, risky way of handling the problem… Maybe we can just install a Canopy.
What is Canopy?
Canopy is basically a battery powered security camera with the ability to connect to the internet via LTE. Which gives the camera the ability to send alerts from anywhere you have cell service. It also uses AI to analyze camera footage and filter out false alerts.
Why is it different?
There are a few key things that set this camera apart from other battery powered cameras.
First let’s look at the battery powered part. This camera can actually connect to your vehicle’s OBD-II port to charge and maintain the battery . I can’t think of any other camera that can do that.
And this isn’t just a camera. This security device is also equipped with a radar and accelerometer. ( don’t worry the radar isn’t so your boss can track your speed)
Lastly while there are other security cameras that have LTE connectivity the list is relatively short and they generally aren’t designed to be mounted in a vehicle.
Okay so how does it work?
The device is actually separated into two parts.
A Sensing Unit
which attaches to the inside of your truck’s window and houses the camera and radar.
A Hub
And then there is the Hub which mounts under your seat or in some vehicles a special locking compartment. The hub is the brains of the operation and provides the power, cellular connectivity, data processing and recording.
Sometimes Seperation is Safer...
Separating the device in this way means you won’t lose your video footage. Even if a thief steals the camera all of the video of the event will still be safely tucked away under your seat or ideally in a locked compartment.
But wont having it powered through my OBD-II port drain my truck's battery?
That’s what accelerometers are for! When connected to your OBD-II port the system senses when the vehicle is in motion and automatically begins charging the batteries. Once you stop and turn the car off the camera switches to battery power.