The future applications of unmanned aerial systems
(UAS) is just beginning to be glimpsed. They will complement existing technology
and replace some current applications altogether. For example, home monitoring
systems have been around for many years. They can include fixed video
monitoring, motion sensors, audio alerts and remote monitoring. It is easy to
see how sUAS will likely be included as a vital sensor, complimenting current
systems and providing a mobile observation point, especially for hard to see
property areas. A company called Sunflower Labs (Sunflower Labs, 2016) may be
marketing precisely this application.
A popular current example of a fixed home monitoring
system is the Ring Doorbell it alerts homeowners with audio and video feeds and
sells for about 200$ (Ring, 2016). It is apparently effective, according to the
thousands of reviews on Amazon.com (Amazon.com, 2016), but the video monitor is
fixed to the doorbell and records from a single point of view. It is a clever
idea and will augment other fixed cameras located around the home. Homeowners
who have larger properties, or areas that are hidden from fixed video
monitoring locations may want the ability to have a mobile video monitoring
system. This is where a sUAS mounted camera would augment an existing system.
Sunflower Labs has proposed adding this mobility using a sUAS mounted video
camera to fixed based motion detectors. According to their website, the Sunflower
Home Awareness System (Sunflower Labs, 2016) will use fixed motion sensors to
identify unusual activity on the property, then automatically launch the sUAS
mounted camera and send a picture of the area of interest directly to a smart
phone.
Sunflower Labs is taking reservations for the system
now and anticipates shipping to homeowners in 2017 (Sunflower Labs, 2016). It
is a great idea and adds to existing home monitoring technology. I am confident
UAVs will continue to proliferate and join other applications in the homeowner
security business.
Amazon.com.
(2016). Ring WI-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell - - Amazon.com. Retrieved from
https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Wi-Fi-Enabled-Video-Doorbell/dp/B00N2ZDXW2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479150802&sr=8-2&keywords=ring+doorbellRing.
(2016). Ring video doorbell for your smartphone |
Ring.
Retrieved from https://ring.com/
Sunflower
Labs. (2016, November 3). Sunflower labs modernizes home security with
introduction of home awareness system. Retrieved from
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunflower-labs-modernizes-home-security-with-introduction-of-home-awareness-system-300356706.html
