While many traditional residential security-centric companies have chosen to forego the all-digital version of the annual CES show, it was full speed ahead for Alarm.com, which made two major product introductions on Monday at the virtual Pepcom event.
The first is a new Alarm.com-branded video doorbell with a COVID-friendly spin; the second is a LTE-powered sensor that can be
deployed in challenging environments.
Touchless Video Doorbell
The touchless doorbell eliminates the need to physically press a button – anyone coming to the front door simply stands on a doormat placed at a safe distance to ring the chime. Rather than using motion detection, the product’s internal video analytics do the work.
“When I go to answer my door, I can avoid that awkward moment where we are standing too close together,” explained Allison Beach, Alarm.com’s managing director of research and development, who demoed the product. “Since they are already not within arm's reach of my door – six feet away – I can open the door and feel more comfortable.”
According to a press release, when a person is detected, the doorbell immediately triggers the existing chime in the home, sends a mobile alert to the homeowner and starts recording a video clip. Homeowners can see and speak with visitors through the doorbell’s live HD video and two-way audio. During the demo, Beach removed the outer covering of the unit to reveal a traditional doorbell underneath, in case the homeowner wants to go back to traditional operation.
The device also features:
- 150-degree vertical field-of-view that gives homeowners a full head-to-toe image of visitors and clear look at packages left on the doorstep
- Optimized portrait viewing on mobile so there’s no need to rotate the mobile device
- Full HD resolution, HDR, and infrared night vision
- Onboard heater for low temperature operation
- Live video and saved clip viewing using the Alarm.com mobile app or website
Although it is company’s first internally-created video doorbell, Alarm.com corporate communications director Chris Basso told me that the company would still be offering the Skybell video doorbell line to its dealers for the foreseeable future. “We want to give dealers more choices to help meet the needs of customers,” he said.
Open/Close notifications from anywhere
The Alarm.com Flex IO is a new battery-powered sensor device that has been weatherproofed for outdoor durability. It uses the latest
LTE-M technology to operate anywhere there's LTE coverage and without a panel, hub or even Wi-Fi. According to a press release, security service providers can offer the device as a standalone solution or as an expansion to a customer’s existing system.
“I have seen dealers try to rig something where they take an indoor sensor and put it inside a totally custom enclosure for gate sensors, (for example),” explained Alarm.com SVP and co-founder Ali Slavin, who demoed the product. “We saw this as an opportunity to come up with something better that is also totally standalone.
“A lot of these (use-case) pictures here are from my property,” she added. “I live in a more rural setting – I have one on my chicken coop; I have one on a shed; and we have one at the end of our long driveway, so when packages get delivered, we get an alert right away.”
According to the release, the sensor sets up in seconds and can be attached to almost anything, such as doors, gates, sheds, barns, detached garages, guest houses and other access points around a property. A wired magna-loop input option keeps users informed if freestanding items, like a motorcycle or lawn mower, are moved.
An expected battery life of more than two years and the vast LTE coverage via AT&T and Verizon paved the way for this product’s development. It also includes wired inputs that enable the device to integrate with other sensor devices, such as motion detection or water leak detection.
Both products are now available to Alarm.com dealers via its partner portal, or feel free to submit a request more information at www.securityinfowatch.com/10216128.
Paul Rothman is Editor in Chief of Security Business magazine. Access the issue archives and subscribe at www.securitybusinessmag.com and follow us on linkedin (www.linkedin.com/company/security-business-magazine) and Twitter, @SecBusinessMag.
