A new upgrade for smart home cameras is here to scare off burglars with the help of artificial intelligence. The latest update allows the cameras to automatically detect intruders in motion and sound an 80-decibel siren. Philips Hue Secure cameras are now equipped with this feature, distinguishing between people, animals, vehicles, and packages to trigger the alarm.
“You can now set your cameras or sensors to trigger an alarm automatically,” explained Philips. However, this feature is only available to Secure plan members, which costs $39.99 or £34.99 a year for a single camera. But for many users, this small price is worth the added security.
The Basic Secure plan includes additional benefits like back-to-back video clip recording, activity zones, and a 30-day video history. For those looking for even more coverage, the Plus Secure plan offers coverage for all cameras and 60 days of video recording.
To check if you have the new update, look for version 5.22 on your devices. You can easily arm the alarm with a single tap on the Secure tile in your app’s Home panel. The update is available for both iOS and Android devices.
While the new update isn’t fool-proof against home invaders, it can help scare off intruders or alert you to motion. You’ll still receive regular motion alerts via smartphone notifications and can use the cameras to see what triggered the siren. Remember to set up automatic triggers and choose specific activities to avoid false alarms from pets.