In recent years, the annual CES show has become a must-attend event for security industry observers who want to catch the first glimpses of innovations that will soon be making their way to the market. From the latest camera SoCs and artificial intelligence platforms to LiDAR and asset tracking devices, the conference offers attendees the chance to see and demo new solutions from both tech giants and start-ups alike.
The largest and most consequential product category for security at the show; however, remains smart home technology, which has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade. At the turn of the 21st century, home automation capabilities were primarily enjoyed by the uber wealthy, but the proliferation of smartphones later democratized the technology and thus made it a key component of nearly all residential security systems that are available today.
While an ever-growing list of companies continues to debut more advanced and cheaper video doorbells, connected locks and the like with each passing year, other firms remain committed to pushing boundaries of what’s capable in today’s smart home.
Here are few of companies that caught our attention at this year's show:
GeRoTech-Innovations
While homeowners have more tools available to them than ever when it comes to being alerted about a potential intrusion, creating solutions that serve to deter criminals pretty much remains limited to outdoor surveillance and lighting. Austria-based company GeRoTech-Innovations is hoping to change that with a product introduction at CES called HomeShadows, which uses varying light patterns to cast shadows on the walls, curtains or blinds of a home.
According to Gerd Wolfinger, the company’s Founder and Managing Director, the light pattern generated by HomeShadows is randomized using a special algorithm, making it virtually indistinguishable from the shadows casted by people moving within a house naturally.
“Shadows are moving faster and slower – sometimes there is a break or pause in between where you cannot see shadows and sometimes there are even two shadows that interact with each other, so it is completely randomized” Wolfinger explains. “The unit switches on and off automatically in auto mode, and you can connect to a smartphone. You simply switch it on permanently and connect it to a smart plug and then you can integrate it into your smartphone.”
HomeShadows is designed to work effectively in rooms ranging in size from 5-10 square meters, depending on window size.
Wolfinger says the company is eyeing Q4 as a potential launch date for the product in the U.S., with a projected MSRP of $49. Additionally, Wolfinger says the company, which has already sold 50,000 units since it debuted the product in Germany in 2019, would prefer to sell through distributors and licensees in the American market.
Keep Technologies
Although it may not technically be a “smart home” product, Atlanta-based Keep Technologies, which officially exited stealth mode at CES 2022, has introduced a new product developed to deter car break-ins and theft.
The company’s KNIGHT device is designed to be anchored into a vehicle’s cupholder and, when triggered by someone peering into the window, will flash red and emit a chirping sound from an embedded 120-decible siren to deter any would-be thieves. If someone does proceed to break into the car, the unit also features a 180-degree camera that can record the incident and send video to the user’s smartphone in conjunction with the aforementioned siren. The device offers both a self-monitoring and professional monitoring option.
“It is sort of like Ring for your car,” David Moeller, the company’s Founder and CEO, said during the Pepcom media event at the show. “You can get the video, send it to police or, if you have the professional monitoring service, then we will have one of our people review the footage and send it to the police for you.”
The KNIGHT unit will be available in July and retail for $199. The self-monitoring option will run consumers $5 a month and the professional monitoring offering will cost $20 a month.
Labrador Systems
Personal emergency response systems (PERS) have been a fast-growing emerging market for residential security integrators as the Baby Boomer generation has entered their golden years. While two-way audio hubs and emergency pendants remain the norm for most applications, there has also been significant increase in the development of robotic assistants for the elderly to help them “age in place” in their homes.
At CES 2022, Labrador Systems unveiled its new “Labrador Retriever” personal robot that can serve as an extra pair of hands for the elderly. The robot, which visually navigates to find its position in the home, can carry payloads of up to 25 pounds, retrieve and deliver trays carrying up to 10 pounds, and it also features an onboard smartphone charger and storage area for frequently needed items, such as medication and water.
“It is really meant to help folks that are aging, have bad backs, arthritis, or any sort of need to help people live independently and have more control in their daily lives,” Labrador Systems CEO Mike Dooley said during the CES Pepcom event.
The company plans to have the robot in full production by the second half of 2023, and it will sell for an upfront payment of $1,500 for early reservation holders, plus a monthly fee between $99 and $149 depending on the model purchased and the customer’s credit.
GE Lighting
On a more traditional smart home note, GE Lighting, a Savant company, introduced several new products to its connected home portfolio during the show.
For starters, the company debuted its new Cync Smart Thermostat and Temperature Sensor, which work in tandem to keep homeowners comfortable. The thermostat can be installed without a common wire, making it compatible in nearly every home, and does not require a hub for remote control. The temperature sensor works with the thermostat to monitor individual room or the entire home and adjusts accordingly. Both the thermostat and temperature sensor will be available to order beginning this month. The thermostat starts at $119, and the temperature sensor retails for $29.
The Cync Outdoor Smart camera comes in both wired and batter/solar-powered options and features 2K/1280P resolution and night vision capabilities. The cameras will be available for purchase starting next month. Wired cameras start at $99, while battery powered cameras will sell for $129. The solar panel charging accessory for the camera will retail for $44.
TP-Link
Networking and smart home firm TP-Link announced at CES that it is bringing an entire new smart home brand to the U.S. market dubbed “Tapo.” The brand features a wide array of products, including indoor and outdoor cameras, motion sensor, window/door contact sensor, and an IoT hub to tie it all together.
The Tapo C220 Pan and Tilt Camera is designed to provide privacy when required by hiding the lens in a physical chassis. Users can remote control the process through the associated app. In standard mode, it works as a fully featured 2K QHD pan/tilt camera with up to 110 degree per-second pan and tilt for stronger motion-tracking. It also features built-in AI for person, pet or vehicle detection and more.
The Tapo C320WS outdoor security Wi-Fi camera provides 2K QHD resolution and is equipped with a high-resolution sensor and spotlight. It supports motion detection and sound and light alarm functions. Additionally, the camera provides up to 256GB SD storage with paid cloud service, night vision distance up to 98 feet and an IP66 rugged design.
With a bundled setup featuring the Tapo H100 Smart IoT Hub, along with the Tapo T100 Smart Motion
Sensor and T110 Smart Window/Door Sensor, users can set alarm triggers for the 90-decible alarm that is built into the smart hub.
Trova
Safes may be as old as the security industry itself, but that doesn’t mean they cannot be improved upon. At this year’s CES show Trova, debuted an updated version of TROVA HOME, its biometric smart home safe.
“This is for your daily use items that you want to use discretion around, so this is not where you’re going to put your most valuable product inside it and leave in the closet,” Scott Loeppert, Co-Founder of Trova, explained in a Pepcom interview. “This is meant to be kept on a kitchen counter or a coffee table or bedside table, and it is meant to really give you a secure place that no one else in your family or a house guest can get their hands on.”
TROVA Home is available for pre-order for $549 and will begin shipping at the end of Q1 2022.
Stay up to date on the latest security-related news and trends from CES at www.securityinfowatch.com/ces.
