Looking for Input on AI-Powered Home Security Tool Idea

Security Systems & Alarms Forum
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Hi everyone,

A few months back, I posted here about a break-in I went through and got some great advice. (Here’s the link if you want to check it out: https://www.reddit.com/r/homedefense/comments/1ehuh52/breakin_experience_need_advice_on_improving_home/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button). Since then, I’ve been working on a home security tool idea to add AI features to existing security cameras, and I’d love some feedback.

Here’s the concept:

  1. AI Threat Detection: The camera uses AI to decide if there’s a real safety threat, like a break-in, and triggers an alarm right away if needed.

  2. On-Demand Live Agent Response: When a threat is confirmed, an alert goes to a live safety agent who can take action—either sound the alarm or call the police. The service would only charge when a threat is detected, so no monthly fees, just a one-time cost when needed.

If something like this existed, would you use it? Any features or concerns that come to mind?

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This is already available in some products, but it’s not very popular due to cost. Facial recognition is pricey to implement, especially if you’re trying to keep the hardware affordable.

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Isan said:
This is already available in some products, but it’s not very popular due to cost. Facial recognition is pricey to implement, especially if you’re trying to keep the hardware affordable.

Thanks for that insight! I’m hoping to partner with some of the popular camera brands to offer it as an add-on feature.

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Isan said:
This is already available in some products, but it’s not very popular due to cost. Facial recognition is pricey to implement, especially if you’re trying to keep the hardware affordable.

Privacy is another issue. People don’t always feel comfortable with cameras indoors if there’s a chance someone else could access the footage.

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@Hadi
Absolutely, privacy is a huge factor. Maybe an exterior-only setup would address some of these concerns?

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Your idea sounds similar to what companies like Deep Sentinel are already doing with ‘video verification’ and ‘audio/visual alarm verification.’ It’s great for break-ins where quick response time matters, but a one-time fee model would be unique. Most companies go with subscriptions since it’s more profitable. You might be able to make it work with a higher upfront cost.

Here are some examples from companies like Deep Sentinel and SimpliSafe:

In the UK, for example, police dispatch for alarms is regulated, so companies use video verification to meet standards. Visual confirmation makes a huge difference in getting police there faster.

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@Hadi
Deep Sentinel actually inspired part of this idea! The main difference is I want this as an add-on for existing cameras, so users wouldn’t have to buy new devices.

Key features:

  1. Safety Notifications Only: Alerts are triggered only for specific safety issues, like an intruder.

  2. Live Agent Deterrence: An agent can step in to deter the intruder in real-time.

Do you think people would be interested in these kinds of features?

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Check out this link.

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Brogan said:

Good point! The agent could also monitor for power outages and inform the homeowner right away.

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  1. Vivotek cameras already have similar capabilities. 2) Monitoring centers for cameras are out there, but they rely on subscription models since it’s expensive to maintain staff. They’re typically for commercial clients who can afford the service.
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@Ben
Thanks for the info! The idea is to let AI handle most of the monitoring, so human intervention is minimal and the service can be more affordable.

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Finn said:
@Ben
Thanks for the info! The idea is to let AI handle most of the monitoring, so human intervention is minimal and the service can be more affordable.

Makes sense, but I’d be cautious about liability. If the AI fails to catch something, you could face legal issues. Would insurance costs cancel out any savings?

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Consumer cameras already have features like person detection and even pet detection with built-in alarms. You can get these without any subscription service, so not sure what new features your tool would offer.

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@Cedar
You’re right, but these cameras typically only detect faces. They can’t assess threat levels or judge whether a person outside your door is a threat or not.

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Finn said:
@Cedar
You’re right, but these cameras typically only detect faces. They can’t assess threat levels or judge whether a person outside your door is a threat or not.

True. Dahua and Hikvision offer more advanced models with facial recognition, but they’re mostly used in commercial setups and are pricey.

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[deleted]

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Brogan said:
[deleted]

Thanks for asking! Can these cameras identify specific behaviors and flag them as security threats?

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Brogan said:
[deleted]

They had a major security flaw. Here’s an article: The Verge

LTT also did a video on it:
WAN show

Their cameras weren’t encrypted as they claimed, and data was accessible publicly and uploaded to the cloud without user consent. I personally wouldn’t trust them for indoor use but would consider them outside. To be safe, consider isolating these devices from the internet or finding a DIY solution.

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@Toby
I still trust Eufy enough for exterior use, even after the security issues LTT raised. Eufy claims they’ve fixed the concerns, and they’re supposed to comply with data protection laws. But everyone should decide what they’re comfortable with.