Artificial intelligence and face recognition are the hot new buzzwords of the smart home industry. There are already products hinting that this futuristic technology is in reach, where cameras can spot unfamiliar individuals lurking around the building, instantly triggering an alarm with the owner. Pairing up security systems with a learning algorithm is a long-standing goal of the industry because it would deliver the customer the convenience that they desire. Just imagine a system that arms and disarms itself automatically when the owners leave and grants temporary access to the cleaning lady if the facial scan checks out. But are we really making steps toward this future, or are we being misled by misinterpreted features?
Meet FLARE, a multifunctional home security sensor and camera. It’s a wall-mounted circular device with a camera positioned in the middle that can be opened and folded just like a real eye. Those subtle Big Brother vibes aside, FLARE proudly boasts an advanced AI that is capable of distinguishing residents and friends from strangers as well as identifying guests via voice commands. The camera is designed to automatically activate when the residents leave the building and it starts recording when sensing unusual noises or movement. The owners and the company’s monitoring center also receive an alert when the alarm is triggered. In short, FLARE is an all in one home security package.
Speaking of artificial intelligence, a company called Kuna launched a home security platform designed to recognize frequent cars in your neighborhood. Basically the outside camera keeps track of cars regularly visiting the driveway, including delivery vans and the vehicles of your friends. When an unidentified vehicle pulls by while the system is armed, the system immediately sends a text message to the homeowners. The Kuna team plans to steadily upgrade this feature into full-blown facial recognition for indoor cameras, too.
Even though the aforementioned devices offer competent protection, we must pop your fantasy balloon about advanced AIs. Just because an alarm system shows signs of smart technology, it doesn’t actually think for itself. In case of FLARE, the device is a collection of features already existing in the home security industry. Motion sensors use infrared lights to differentiate small sized beings (room bots or pets) from humans. Audio verification and voice commands aren’t new either, just think about Alexa and Siri. Not to mention it’s far more secure to have several sensors scattered throughout your home instead of deploying one big multifunctional system.
As for facial recognition, it requires people to actually gaze into the camera to work. Also, smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S8 have already been fitted with facial recognition, only to be debunked within days. Users found several ways to trick the system, proving that the technology is still too underdeveloped to serve authentication purposes. At the end of the day, we are happy to see home security devices integrating top of the range features, but they still need some time in the oven.
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