Smart Camera Guide: Peace Of Mind And Comfort For Your Home
May 8, 2019
Objective
Today, the market is saturated with generic security cameras with video recording and motion-sensing capabilities. However, frequent occurrences of false alarms and the occasional value we derive from them make us question whether such systems are worth the investment.
Thanks to the recent technological advances that gave rise to smart cameras, we can now look beyond the basic level of home protection, and start using our cameras as personal assistants to add to the comfort and convenience of our homes.
We have compiled below a portfolio of brands that offer smart cameras and compared their products on several key features to help you handpick your own home assistance experience.
Why Smart Cameras
Smart cameras are small, compact systems that utilize artificial intelligence to interpret the mass amount of information collected. Much more than just capturing images and recording videos, smart cameras micmic the human eyes and brain, and are capable of analyzing images and recognizing events/patterns.
Based on the images captured, smart cameras are able to extract useful information, provide real-time notifications, and even trigger corresponding actions - all integrated into a seamless, automated process. Much like our personal assistants, smart cameras allow us to accurately assess our environments and greatly facilitate our day-to-day processes and decisions.
Key Criteria
Price: < $500 per camera (subscriptions included) Resolution: 1080p Features: 3+ advanced sensing capabilities Easy Installation Mobile Notifications
The Overview
ARLO
Arlo provides a range of wire-free, weather-resistant cameras that allow for indoor and outdoor security surveillance. The cameras easily integrate with other smart home systems, such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
NETATMO
Netatmo offers great value by giving customers access to all the features, including facial recognition, without subscription fees. The cameras are affordable, with additional deals for buying packages.
NEST
Nest has high quality insurance and with the Nest Aware subscription, provides an extra layer of protection with two-way audio, 24/7 recording, and 30 days of footage saved in cloud.
OOMA
Ooma’s Starter Kit is a great value home security package that includes a phone service, a Butterfleye camera, two door/window sensors, and one motion sensor. It is ideal for customers who like the simplicity of motion sensors while want to test out smart cameras.
CANARY
Canary’s All-in-One camera provides temperature, humidity, and air detection in addition to security surveillance. It is suited for families who are looking for both home protection and comfort at a great price.
What We Offer - Zensors Inc.
Zensors is an advanced sensing platform that checks off almost all features on this table. We provide answers to the many small, daily questions that cause homeowners the most anxiety, and encourage our customers to curate their own home assistance experience by allowing for custom questions relevant for their own spaces.
Popular questions that homeowners would like to get answers to, such as “Has any packages been dropped off?”, “Is any light on that’s not needed?”, “Is the front door/garage door open?”, “Is anything sitting in the fridge for too long?”, can all be answered using our platform. This way, cameras are no longer just aesthetic installments that provide occasional value, but treasured personal assistants that give homeowners that peace of mind.
Besides being able to assist homeowners, Zensors also provides answers to larger-scale questions that help businesses obtain actionable data - some of these include line counting, car counting, and table/chair utilization.
*Zensors currently uses Ubiquity cameras that range between $79 to $199. The subscription plan starts at $29 /month.