Previously, I experimented with Arduino for motion-based mobile alerts. However, the versatility of Raspberry Pi always intrigued me, especially for projects that demand more computational power, thanks to its Debian-based Linux OS. The idea of building a Car Dash Cam resurfaced from a couple of years ago when off-the-shelf options didn’t quite meet my needs. This project became the perfect opportunity to delve into Raspberry Pi’s capabilities. The recent release of the Raspberry Pi 3 model made it even more appealing to get started.
My aim for this car dash cam project revolved around these key expectations:
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Automated Operation: The system should automatically power on with the car’s ignition, initiating the webcam and recording video in manageable 30-minute segments.
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Storage Management: I needed sufficient storage for approximately one month of driving, estimating around 60 hours on average. To keep things tidy, videos older than 30 days should be automatically deleted.
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System Logging: All system actions should be logged, with logs also being purged after 30 days, similar to the video storage.
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Intelligent Shutdown: When the car ignition is turned off, video recording should cease after a 30-second buffer, followed by a safe OS shutdown. Crucially, to prevent battery drain, complete power cut-off from the car battery is required after a 2-minute delay. Battery health is paramount.
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Wireless Accessibility: Accessing both video and log files from my Android mobile device, directly from within the car, is essential. This means convenient wireless file access via Bluetooth or WiFi, eliminating the need for physical connections to the Raspberry Pi.
