Top Security Innovations at CES 2017

Top Security Innovations at CES 2017

Security companies are no stranger to the Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas each year. If I remember correctly, last year the security industry saw the announcement of several, several doorbell cameras with two-way communication and now we don’t know what we’d do without them.

This year there are some pretty exciting innovations being introduced at the show. Just a few of them are from Alarm.com, Ring and Aura. Let’s take a look:

Alarm.com Drone Security

If anything has set off the media buzz coming out of CES 2017, it has been Alarm.com’s drone security system. Their system is basically this: employ a drone that is equipped with a camera to fly around the area you are trying to secure to check out any unexpected activity.

Alarm.com is partnering with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Flight Done Platform to develop the technology to make it happen. The companies would like for the drone to be completely autonomous, meaning it could find its way to any area of the building if a motion sensor is tripped or if there is a sudden noise. From there the drone would push the footage to your mobile device.

While there is no specific time table for release, Alarm.com has pushed the home-drone-security solution into the spotlight. It’ll be interesting to see if it catches on.

Ring Floodlight Camera

When I saw a video on Twitter for this product, I stopped scrolling and watched the entire thing. Ring’s Floodlight is just as fun as it sounds. It’s a motion-sensitive device that combines the company’s security cameras with a pair of LED floodlights.

The product is connected to your home WiFi and then pushes notifications to your mobile device just like Ring’s inaugural doorbell camera. Through the app, you can see live footage of movement and scare away intruders by enabling two-way communication or an alarm siren.

The Floodlight cam is available for pre-order now. Here’s to hoping this product does as well as their doorbell cams.

Cognitive Systems Aura

Cognitive Systems announced their newest innovation that will monitor your entire home without one security camera. The unique, two-pieced system can detect motion throughout an entire home using wireless signals.

The system is made up off two components: a cube-shaped hum and a small remote sensor that plugs into a wall outlet. It’s about the size of an air freshener. Cognitive Systems recommends putting the two components at opposite sides of the home, which will provide coverage of everything in between, regardless of walls, stairs and other obstructions. When someone walks into the area, the system uses spectrum analysis technology to detect motion and alert the owner through a mobile app.

The company says the system is a discreet alternative to existing home security devices, one that avoids the privacy concerns of always-on, internet-connected smart cameras. Would you look into a device like this one? I’d be fascinated to see it work.


Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”