A smart camera is simply an IP-enabled security camera that has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. What that means is that once you install one of these devices at your home or office, you'll be able to access its video stream at any time, from anywhere in the world. However, that is only but the proverbial tip of the iceberg, and there is still a lot more to the smart camera.
Outfitted with a number of handy features that make them stand out among their "dumber" alternatives, smart cameras represent a significant upgrade. For starters, they are able to allow users to monitor what's going on inside their homes or offices while they're away. They can do this either through live streaming or archived footage, which will depend on how much storage space each device has.
These devices also come equipped with motion sensors that are able to alert users when something moves into range and record that event. On top of that, they are able to notify you when this happens and who or what entered their field of vision. Something that comes in handy before deciding whether or not to contemplate further actions like calling the police.
Of course, there are tons of other features and possible applications, too, but these are the fundamentals. But how is all of this even possible? Well, in order to understand that, we will need to first learn about a little something known as the internet of things (IoT).
IoT – The Internet of Things
The internet of things (IoT) is a concept describing the increasing use of small, low-power internet-connected embedded sensors that capture data and interact with the physical world. Through network connectivity, data captured by said devices can go into use for analytics and visualization in real-time. Thus, enabling it to power decision-making based upon rich information assets not previously so easily available.
The IoT has potential implications for energy management through enhanced energy efficiency and demand response investments. For example, the use of smart meters or thermostats to not only have real-time measuring but also enable the programming of a response after registering a certain threshold.
The Internet of Things is a growing industry. These days, there seems to be an IoT-enabled device for just about everything, like smart lights and bulbs. There are also smart locks and doorbells, and even smart beer and water bottles (yes, they thought of everything), just to name a few things.
If you are currently in the loop about the latest technological fads in the world, then you likely know about smart voice assistants like Amazon's Alexa. Well, Alexa just so happens to be an IoT-powered device as well. The product is able to vocally provide information in the form of the results of internet queries through the IoT. As well as record what you ask it to search for future reference in future searches.
IoT + Cameras = Smart Camera
Products like these are a certain step towards the future of our interaction with technology. However, they don't quite make up for one big problem with the current state of most IoT devices. And that is: none of them are able to control or monitor live events taking place inside a room.
Enter the smart camera. While most of the technology that makes it up (Wi-Fi-powered and motion sensors) have been available for a while. It is their integration and is relatively widespread commercial accessibility that makes it one of the most revolutionary IoT devices so far.
Motion Sensors and The Smart Camera
In recent years, there has been a trend of adding motion sensors into common household appliances. This is because motion sensors can determine whether or not an object is moving, and, in turn, this information could serve to trigger further actions. For example, your television may turn on when you begin walking into the room.
In fact, smart cameras work very similarly by using a motion sensor to help them determine if someone or something is within their view.
When that happens, these sophisticated gadgets will then capture the image or video of the event for surveillance purposes. Capturing both audio and visual content as needed to record every detail of what's going on around them.
They allow you to keep an eye on your property whether you are there or away. Its automated capabilities make it easy to capture the relevant events that might be happening around them.
The immediate surroundings are continuously monitored by attaching a motion sensor right onto the camera itself. Said sensor will then register when an object or person enters its field of view. Afterward, it will then record anything that happens within the scope of vision. And, if synced, notify your synced mobile device and allow you to see the captured footage.
These smart cameras are also very handy in businesses when fixed in strategic locations in which surveillance is crucial. The main advantage a sensor-equipped smart camera has over traditional ones is that it can register the relevant events. Then, notify you about them and show the captured footage almost immediately. Thus, almost completely doing away with actual human monitoring for the video feed.
The Way a Smart Camera Upgrades Your Security Monitoring
So, what does the smart camera mean for the Internet of Things and, more importantly, for your security options? Again, this is where it gets exciting: not only can you monitor what's going on inside your home or office remotely.
Rather, these devices are also smart enough to detect abnormal events and send you push notifications accordingly. Thus, allowing you not only to feel safe even if you are away from your home or office. But also to allow you to have faster reaction times if something were to happen.
The biggest benefit of all is how much time these smart cameras save their users every day. By eliminating the need for them to manually check in on whatever's happening be it at home or in their businesses. Imagine how much time you spend every week doing exactly that — staring at a tiny screen on your phone. Waiting or searching for that one moment when something of interest finally happens.
Well, these new smart cameras have the ability to cut out all of that wasted time just by being a bit more clever than before.
Not only are these devices able to detect abnormal events and send you to push notifications accordingly. They can also send photos or videos, so you don't even have to waste time checking in. This one feature has the potential to save untold amounts of costs to business owners in particular.
Eliminating the need to have people monitoring the video security footage on a consistent basis almost entirely should be an enticing prospect economically speaking. Just picture it, a camera that's able to register when one person trespasses into a property or an unauthorized person access an off-limits area. Smart cameras are getting there.