How Smart Technology is Revolutionizing Home Security
Modern smart security systems offer homeowners improved safety and peace of mind. Using interconnected sensors, cameras, and door locks, they deliver real-time alerts and remote monitoring.
They even help you save money by optimizing energy usage and suggesting energy-saving tips. All of this is possible thanks to the power of AI.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the driving force behind smart home devices, which collect and analyze data to automate tasks, improve energy efficiency, enhance security and provide a personalized experience. AI can also be used to detect impending issues with appliances and devices, allowing homeowners to take preventive measures before they break down completely, saving money on repairs and replacement costs.
Another benefit of AI is its ability to recognize patterns and detect anomalies, enabling security systems to better protect homes from unauthorized activity. For example, AI-powered cameras can recognize a person’s typical entrance and exit patterns, triggering an alert or contacting the authorities if a stranger is detected.
Furthermore, AI-enabled smart homes can also connect to mobile devices, allowing homeowners to receive real-time alerts and monitor surveillance footage remotely. This enables them to stay safe and secure even when they are away from home. AI voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri, have also been integrated into smart home security systems to allow homeowners to control their devices using simple commands.
Machine Learning
Using machine learning, smart home security systems can automatically identify suspicious activities and send real-time alerts. This capability eliminates the need for manual intervention, resulting in more efficient and effective protection.
The system can also distinguish between the movement of a cat scurrying by or an unfamiliar person loitering near your door, which can reduce false alarms and focus on potential threats. Similarly, the system can detect unusual activity like windows being opened when you’re not home.
Additionally, this technology can integrate with voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant, and Apple’s Siri. This allows homeowners to arm and disarm the system with simple voice commands, as well as request security status updates. This feature also makes it possible for you to remotely monitor your home when you’re away on vacation or business meetings. It’s important to note that these features do not spy on you or your family; they simply use data to enhance your home security and prevent unauthorized entry into your property.
Facial Recognition
Face recognition technology works by scanning an unknown person’s face to identify them, based on a database of faces stored in memory. It can also be used to detect emotions like fear, anger, or surprise. It is a popular security feature in airports, and retailers use it to prevent shoplifting and to identify customers.
Home security systems that incorporate facial recognition enable homeowners to access their home by showing their face to a scanner or giving a voice command. This eliminates the need to remember a password or code, and ensures that only authorized homeowners are granted access.
Facial recognition can be an effective deterrent to crime, especially petty theft and trespassing. However, it can be misused to violate privacy rights. The EFF supports meaningful restrictions on face recognition use both by private companies and law enforcement, including total bans. The current volume of face-related data housed in databases exacerbates the threat to civil liberties, as faces cannot be encrypted the same way that passwords or credit card information can be.
Smart Locks
We’ve all fumbled for keys or worried about whether we locked the door in a rush to make it to work, school, or dropping kids off at friends’ houses. Smart locks can alleviate this worry. Notifications sent to a homeowner’s phone can remind them to lock up, and auto-lock functions fasten the door after a predetermined time to prevent break-ins.
Some smart locks use Bluetooth to recognize a user’s smartphone when they approach, and others connect to the home Wi-Fi network to enable remote access from anywhere. These can also provide the flexibility to grant temporary access to visitors, dog walkers, cleaners, or service professionals by creating a virtual key that expires after a set period.
Integration with smart security cameras offers homeowners the ability to view who’s at their front door from the comfort of a home or away, and some offer the option to automatically trigger a door alarm if any suspicious activity is detected. Depending on the model, smart locks may use encryption and two-factor authentication to protect against hacking.