Hi, I am Niels. I live with my wife Charlotte part-time in a motorhome, chasing sunsets across Europe. Maybe like you.
I built Camper Angel because we hated leaving our motorhome alone. We tried hidden cameras, old smartphones, sound-activated alarms. Cameras were impractical. Motion sensors went off every time a car drove past with headlights on. We needed something that actually worked.
The Discovery
A few years ago I started experimenting with Shelly — a smart home platform from Bulgaria. After some initial experiments I discovered it allowed deep programming and scripting. Suddenly we were not just turning lights on and off — we were building a security system tailored to our lives.
We added door sensors, motion detectors, and built logic that understood the difference between a thief and a sleeping hamster. The result is a system that works, does not drain the battery or the wallet, and sends a notification no matter how muted the phone is.
What we promise
- No subscription — no hidden fees, ever.
- Open source — every line of code is on GitHub.
- Pre-configured — ready to install out of the box.
- Real support — installation help included, from us directly.
- Expandable — add sensors as your needs change.
- Watchdog — we notify you if the armed system goes offline.
Honest about what it is
This is not a Thatcham-certified alarm. It will not automatically lower your insurance premium. There is no guard calling the police — you respond to the notification yourself. And it requires an internet connection in your vehicle.
For us it is the right balance of security, simplicity and freedom.
Built to outlast us
All hardware is based on Shelly — a well-established EU manufacturer with hundreds of thousands of devices deployed worldwide. If Camper Angel ever ceases to exist, your system keeps working. The code is on GitHub. Any Shelly integrator can support you.
You own everything. Always.
What is coming
- More sensors — smoke, gas, fire and temperature.
- Battery backup — stays armed even if shore power drops.
- Built-in cellular modem — no dependency on your camper hotspot.
- Dedicated app — purpose-built for Camper Angel.
These are the natural next steps for a system built by people who live in their motorhome and want it better every season.
Park anywhere. Explore freely.
— Niels & Charlotte