New $7 SweepLED Device That Allows Anyone to Detect Hidden Cameras in Hotels
Brief
Researchers have developed SweepLED, a low-cost smartphone accessory designed to help travelers find concealed cameras in hotel rooms and short-term rentals.
The prototype uses an LED-equipped phone case, computer vision, and machine learning to identify the optical signatures of camera lenses in under 5 seconds.
Hidden cameras can be placed inside common objects such as clocks, adapters, smoke detectors, power banks, motion sensors, and decorative items.
Detecting them has traditionally required costly equipment or slow manual checks with handheld lens finders. These tools often produce false alarms because glossy plastic, glass, metal, and reflective surfaces can look similar to a camera lens.
New $7 SweepLED Gadget
SweepLED aims to reduce that problem by changing how light is used during an inspection. The system attaches a compact LED array to a smartphone case.