Caterpillar's new S60 smartphone shows you how hot you are

Smartphones are known, if anything, for their many convenient applications, bringing useful features such as a large screen, internet access, a bevy of sensors, and a camera. In many cases, downloading applications can add more features and uses for your device. But one feature you won’t find through any app is a built in thermal imaging camera. That’s where Caterpillar comes to the rescue with the world's first smartphone with built-in thermal imaging.

The new CAT S60 smartphone was created in tandem with Caterpillar, known for their ultra-rugged smartphones, and FLIR Systems, who specialized in thermal imaging. The result is a monstrous Android device built with aluminum and a toughened plastic that satisfies military-grade drop tests. On the rear is a FLIR Lepton sensor for thermal imaging capabilities, along with a standard 13MP camera which takes the heat map from the sensor and augments it with the outlines of the objects it captures.

Why is this important? Thermal imaging isn't for everyone, and this phone isn’t meant for the everyday consumer. It’s meant for those who use this technology in their profession, like contractors, electrical engineers, doctors, geologists and biologists. The uses for thermal imaging range from checking weather conditions to building spacecraft, and even rescue missions.

The device features a 4.7” HD display with a thicker-than-usual 1mm Gorilla Glass 4 screen (for extra protection), and under the hood is a Snapdragon 617 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It’s not the thinnest phone either, measuring at over half an inch thick. But with that comes not only a built in heat sensor, but also a large 3800mAh battery. The phone is heavily priced at $599, but this phone is built to last, able to withstand harsh environments with the ability to be used underwater for up to an hour at a depth of 5 meters.

The CAT S60 goes on sale at the end of May. And while an ultra-rugged thermal imaging phone may not attract most people, those who may be in the market for thermal imaging capabilities can take a look at the $249 FLIR ONE dongle for iPhone and Android.

Source: Gizmodo