Engineers in South Korea have developed a compact smartphone device called SweepLED that can locate hidden surveillance cameras in five seconds using artificial intelligence. The prototype attachment connects directly to a mobile phone and analyzes how light reflects off surrounding objects to spot covert lenses.
The system was designed by a research team led by Jun Han at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, as reported by tech publication hvg.hu. Developers estimate that the production cost of the compact hardware will be approximately $7, making it an affordable alternative to existing security tools.
Most existing portable hidden camera detectors rely on basic flashlights to illuminate a room and search for manual optical reflections. However, glass windows, polished metal, and shiny plastic surfaces also reflect bright light, creating false positives and making it difficult for untrained users to identify real surveillance equipment.
SweepLED solves this issue by taking sequential control of the lighting environment. While the smartphone camera remains stationary, a series of light emitting diodes on the device illuminate surrounding objects one by one. The integrated software then analyzes the pattern of reflected light to distinguish ordinary reflections from the unique optical signature of a camera lens.
How SweepLED detects lenses
During preliminary testing across 30 different objects, the device achieved a 94 percent success rate in identifying hidden cameras. The onboard artificial intelligence processes the optical image and delivers a result in roughly five seconds, automatically alerting the user if a hidden lens is detected.
Camera lenses contain curved optical elements designed to focus light onto an image sensor, causing light to bounce directly back toward its source in a phenomenon known as retro-reflection. KAIST, a public research university based in Daejeon, South Korea, is widely recognized for its work in optical engineering and applied machine learning systems.
The development comes as consumer privacy tools face scrutiny over their effectiveness. A recent study by University College London found that non-expert users operating standard off-the-shelf camera detectors failed to spot more than 60 percent of hidden devices during controlled trials.
Improving personal privacy
Han said that the gadget provides an additional layer of security for individuals who lack specialized technical expertise. He noted that users do not need to manually search suspicious areas, because the image analysis system handles the detection work automatically.
While SweepLED requires further refinement before commercial release, its low manufacturing cost highlights its potential as an accessible tool for personal privacy. Concerns over covert surveillance, including remote webcam hijacking known as camfecting, have heightened demand for simple inspection tools in rental properties and public facilities.
Researchers plan to continue refining the hardware and software integration to prepare the prototype for broader consumer use. Once completed, the technology could allow travelers and renters to quickly inspect unfamiliar rooms using their own smartphones.
