Explore a security marketplace in Huaqiangbei [Hack Things]
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Explore a security marketplace in Huaqiangbei

Joe Heitzeberg
May 09, 2013

(Photo) A photo of the side of a building with a large red sign that reads "The Pacific Security & Protection Market" in English and Chinese. The building appears to be a marketplace. Text: THE PACIFIC SECURITY & PROTECTION MARKET 太平洋保安专业市场 building | outdoor | signage, urban setting | #d42323 | #e0e0e0 | architectural | Colors: #d42323, #e0e0e0 Note: This is a real-world photograph of a building. It captures the scene as it is, without artistic stylization or design intent like a logo or illustration.

Last week we wrote about our visit to the Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen with program director of HAXLR8R and former co-founder of Makerbot, Zach Hoeken Smith. On that trip Zach mentioned that there was an entire building dedicated to security products. That piqued my interest so today I went back to explore.

The “Pacific Security and Protection Market” is a 6-story building with warehouse-sized floors of factory outlet stalls pedaling every conceivable security and surveillance product imaginable. Interestingly, I estimated that upwards of 95% of the gear was fixed/wired or wireless radio-based technology as opposed to internet protocol-enabled gear. Note: I didn’t visit every floor and my Chinese is pitiful, so please take my impressions with a grain of salt.

I hope by sharing some photos and notes from just one of the many marketplaces in Huaqiangbei that I can help give you a sense of what the entire area is like. Keep in mind these photos are from one of many buildings in the area. As Zach told us, “these markets are huge; if you visit the LED marketplace, you better wear good quality shades.”

(Photo) A small camera module is displayed alongside circuit boards and promotional signs. Text: IP Camera HD 新品 electronics | indoor | camera module, circuit boards, promotional signs | #008000 | #FFFF00 | #FF0000 | #000000 | close-up | Colors: #008000, #FFFF00, #FF0000, #000000 Note: The image is a real-world photograph capturing electronic components and promotional material. It's not a drawn illustration, logo, or banner in the typical sense.

Lots of component vendors, including this IP-enabled module with optional Wi-Fi adapter

(Photo) Several small security cameras and baby monitors are displayed on a shelf. electronic devices | indoor | multiple devices, shelf display | product display Note: The image is a real-world photograph of electronic devices. It captures a scene rather than representing a logo, banner, or other specific graphic type.

The majority (estimated 90%+) of equipment was not IP-enabled, like these wireless (RF) based video systems

(Photo) A hand holds a small, white and blue security camera. object | indoor | hand holding the object | #ffffff | #0000ff | close-up | Colors: #ffffff, #0000ff Note: The image is a real-world photograph of a physical object being held by a person.

This Wi-Fi webcam, or one just like it, seemed quite popular.

(Photo) The image shows a collection of various white motion sensors, likely for security systems. object | indoor | multiple objects, close-up view | #FFFFFF | product photography | Colors: #FFFFFF Note: This is a photograph depicting real-world objects in a seemingly realistic setting.

There were lots of vendors dedicated to motion sensors like these

(Photo) The image showcases two security cameras displayed on a shelf, one white and one black, along with price tags and a sign that reads "Cloud Camera". Text: 商品标价签 零售价:¥$P8USD PRICE 品名:Wansview规格型号:M2s50w NAME SPECIFLATION 产地:深圳单位: PLACE OF ORIGIN UNIT 物价员:唐建谁 SUPERVISOR Cloud Camera object | indoor | product display, price tags | product photography Note: The image is a real-world photograph of a product display. It captures physical objects and their arrangement in a specific setting.

One of the *very* few outlets that seemed dedicated to internet-enabled devices. Will be interesting to take a pulse in another 2 to 3 years.

(Photo) The image shows several small, gray electronic devices with attached wires, possibly sensors or controllers, arranged on a white surface. Some are individually packaged. Text: LAD-9084 LXD-302A LXD-301B LXD-301A LXD-103A DSP数 LAD-300 LXD-302 LXD-301 LXD-302 LXD-301 electronic devices | indoor | multiple devices, wires, packaging | #ffffff | #a0a0a0 | product photography | Colors: #ffffff, #a0a0a0 Note: The image is a photograph of physical objects, likely electronic components. It captures a real-world scene rather than a designed graphic or artwork.

Listening devices

(Photo) The image shows a collection of disassembled camera modules or similar electronic components, likely from a manufacturing or repair setting. objects | indoor | multiple electronic components, disassembled parts | macro Note: This is a photograph of real-world objects, capturing a scene of electronic components. It's not a drawing, logo, or other created image.

IR and camera modules

(Photo) A photo of people working at a stall or shop, possibly assembling or repairing electronics. people | indoor | electronics, marketplace, working | candid Note: The image is a real-life captured scene of people in a marketplace, depicting a moment in time. It's not a drawing, logo, or banner.

Guy is foreground is customer testing a raw camera board and guy in background is assembling boards into housings. Probably just a small factory.

(Photo) A display case filled with various electronic devices, likely cameras and DVRs. Text: VOCAR DVR INTELLIGENT HOME T DEVICI CAR DVR INTELLIG HOME SMART DEVICES DVR INTELLIGENT DT electronics | indoor | multiple devices, display case | retail display Note: The image is a photograph of a real-world scene showcasing electronic devices in a display case.

Interesting to see the lingo “smart home” used when none of the devices offered were internet-connected. How is that “smart”?

(Photo) The image shows a collection of small, square circuit boards, likely for miniature cameras, arranged in a grid pattern. One of the boards has a small camera lens attached. electronic components | indoor | repetitive pattern, multiple identical components | #008000 | #ffffff | macro | Colors: #008000, #ffffff Note: The image is a photograph of electronic components, likely taken in a manufacturing or testing environment.

More modules

(Photo) The image shows three small black security cameras with attached antennas and wires, likely for surveillance purposes. object | indoor | multiple cameras, wires, antennas | #000000 | close-up | Colors: #000000 Note: The image is a real-world photograph capturing physical objects, specifically security cameras. It's not a drawing, logo, or other created graphic.

Tiny RF cameras

(Photo) The image shows a display of small, black rectangular devices, possibly GPS trackers, with different operating system logos. Text: A9 objects | indoor | multiple devices, display case | #000000 | product display | Colors: #000000 Note: The image is a real-world photograph of physical objects on display. It captures a scene rather than representing a designed graphic or artwork.

GSM listening and tracking devices. When we wrote about cheap hardware we detailed that unit in the middle there! Amazing to see the factory that I ordered from online and say “hi” to them.

(Photo) The photo shows several small cases, some open and some closed, containing what appear to be hearing aids and related accessories. objects | indoor | multiple small cases, hearing aids | macro Note: The image is a real-world photograph capturing a collection of objects. It's not a drawing, logo, or other graphical representation.

Spy movie approved bugs.

(Photo) The photo shows a contact lens kit containing two vials of contact lens solution, a lens case, a small bottle of solution, and a pair of tweezers. Text: night-golf objects | indoor | contact lens kit components | close-up Note: The image is a real-life photograph of physical objects, not a digitally created image or a piece of designed artwork.

Poker cheating contact lenses! when worn and paired with their specially-coated playing cards, let the wearer read the cards from the back.

(Photo) A photo of a storefront with a red sign in Chinese and English, advertising digital security products. Text: 匯通・安防數碼港 HUITOM DIGITAL SECURITY PRODUCTS HARBOR T75Fac 安全 有责讲诚 强」、抓两建、保 智能电子有 storefront | outdoor | signage, people, merchandise | #cf1225 | #f0f0f0 | #a1a1a1 | candid | Colors: #cf1225, #f0f0f0, #a1a1a1 Note: The image is a real-world photograph of a storefront. It captures the scene as is, without artistic stylization or design intent other than capturing the storefront.

As I left the building I ran into another entire building dedicated to security products. The scale of Huaqiangbei is truly mind-blowing.

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