First-Person Video Data Collector

Earn $15-$30 per hour recording first-person (egocentric) video of everyday activities with your smartphone. The footage trains embodied AI and computer vision models on human activity recognition and hand-object interaction. Simple setup, flexible schedule, hourly pay for accepted footage. Record as little or as much as you want -- collectors who deliver more good footage earn more.

Work on your own time. You pick when you record, what activities you capture, and how many hours you put in. Some collectors record an hour here and there around other commitments; others batch sessions into full recording days. There is no minimum weekly commitment to get started and no cap on how much you can deliver.

We record in a wide range of settings and projects rotate regularly. Residential: cooking, washing dishes, using appliances, cleaning, laundry, making the bed, organizing, packing, and similar household activities. Commercial (with permission from your workplace): retail stocking, restaurant and cafe prep, warehouse handling, hospitality, light assembly, and similar workplace tasks. You pick the settings you have reliable access to.

Equipment is simple. All you need is a smartphone with an ultrawide (0.5x zoom) camera -- most iPhones from the iPhone 11 onward and most recent Samsung, Google Pixel, and other flagship Android phones have this built in. You also need an inexpensive phone head-strap or chest mount (around $10-$20 on Amazon) so the camera sits at eye level while your hands stay free. A dedicated action camera like a GoPro is a nice-to-have but not required. No filmmaking experience is needed; we care about following the protocol, not cinematic quality.

Apply now to get on the roster. Approved collectors are invited to active projects as they launch. Open to anyone based in the United States or Canada.

Skills

• Own a smartphone with an ultrawide (0.5x zoom) rear camera -- iPhone 11 or newer, Samsung Galaxy S10 or newer, Google Pixel 4 or newer, and most recent flagship Android phones qualify
• Willingness to use an inexpensive phone head-strap or chest mount (around $10-20) to capture hands-free footage
• Comfort operating a smartphone camera app and managing large video files
• Ability to follow detailed recording protocols
• Ability to keep your hands and the objects you're handling clearly in frame while recording
• Access to residential settings (kitchen, laundry, bedroom) and/or commercial settings (retail, food service, warehouse, hospitality)
• Based in the United States or Canada
• Strong attention to detail and consistency

FAQ

How long does onboarding take?
About one hour. A data collection lead will walk you through smartphone setup, mount positioning, and your first practice recording on a video call.

Do I need my own camera equipment?
All you need is a smartphone with an ultrawide (0.5x zoom) camera and an inexpensive phone head-strap or chest mount (around $10-20 on Amazon). Most iPhones from the iPhone 11 onward, and most recent Samsung, Google Pixel, and other flagship Android phones, have a built-in ultrawide lens. A dedicated action camera like a GoPro is nice to have but not required.

How do I know if my phone has an ultrawide camera?
Open your camera app and look for a 0.5x zoom option near the shutter button. If tapping 0.5x pulls the view noticeably wider, you are set. If the widest option is 1x, the phone will not work for this project.

Can I apply from Canada?
Yes. This role is open to collectors based anywhere in the United States or Canada.

Can I record at my workplace?
Yes, provided you have permission from the business owner or manager and no customers or sensitive information are captured on camera. Common commercial settings include retail stocking, cafe and restaurant prep, warehouse handling, hospitality, and light assembly.

Where do recordings take place?
Wherever you already are day to day. Residential settings like your own kitchen, laundry area, and bedroom work well. Commercial settings like retail, food service, warehouse, and hospitality also work if you have permission to record.

How much can I record?
As much as you want, within the requirements of the active project. There is no cap on accepted footage -- collectors who deliver more good footage earn more. There is also no minimum to get started; apply, get approved, and record at your own pace.

How long is each video clip?
Clip length depends on the project, typically 1-4 minutes per clip focused on a single activity. Your hands and the objects you are handling must be clearly visible throughout.

How am I paid?
You are paid hourly for footage that passes QA, at a rate between $15 and $30 per hour. Your specific rate depends on the complexity of the activity, the setting (residential vs commercial), and your track record of accepted submissions. Payment is processed after footage clears review; you will get the exact cadence and payout method in writing before you start recording.

When will I start recording?
Apply now to get on the roster. Once approved, you are invited to active projects as they launch. We run multiple projects at a time and new ones start on a rolling basis.