They say the eyes are the windows to one’s soul – a universal language that speaks not only what we think, but also what we feel. What if, your security camera had eyes? Not stick-on googly eyes, not metaphoric eyes, but actual eyes that moved to interact with you. Enter Ulo, a cute yet subtle home security camera with an interactive eye.
Most security cameras try to keep a low profile, discreetly blending in with their surroundings. But Ulo, by designer Vivien Muller, is a bit different.
ULO’s Anatomy
Ulo is a home security camera shaped like an owl. It can record and stream in 1080p FHD resolution with a 127⁰ wide-angle field of view. The unique intersection of nature and technology is what sets Ulo apart from other cameras. In place of eyes it has two 1.22” LCD Screens. In place of its beak, is a one-way mirror with a hidden camera inside. On top of its head is a capacitive touch button. And just below its beak is a microphone (it also has a built-in speaker). Inside its head are components such as a Wi-Fi module, orientation sensor, and a rechargeable battery. Finally it includes a micro-USB port and is safe for both indoor AND outdoor use.
Interactive Eyes
Ulo has 2 LCD screens, neither of which displays logos or words. Instead, these ‘eyes’ are used to communicate through eye expressions. For instance, when battery is down to 10%, the eyes will show a tired expression. Or when you take a snapshot using Ulo, it blinks. Also, the eyes will follow your movements. Or when someone is watching a live feed using a mobile device, Ulo’s eyes squint. These random expressions and animations add life to Ulo but also keep you in the loop so you that you know what’s going on with your camera.
Ulo’s eye color, shape, and size are customizable using the web portal. This allows you to match Ulo to your interior design and your taste.
Capacitive Button and Controls
The capacitive button is your main control. A single tap on the button turns Ulo on or off. When turned on, Ulo can stream live videos to your mobile devices. You can also use Ulo to take snapshots and send them to the Ulo web portal, your Dropbox, or directly to your email account.
A double tap of Ulo’s button activates Alert mode. When in Alert mode, Ulo is monitoring. He uses your phone as a presence sensor to decide if and how he should record. If he senses that your phone is within range, he is going to assume you are nearby. However, once your phone leaves he will assume you’re gone. Once that happens Ulo will shut his eyes but he will still be recording. He does this as an attempt to be incognito. Basically, when you’re gone and he’s on patrol he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself. If anything happens on his watch, he will send an animated gif to your phone. Once your phone reconnects to your Wi-Fi network, Alert mode will be turned off and Ulo will once again use eye expressions.
With normal function and eye expression, Ulo lasts for 2 days using a single full charge of its Li-Po battery. It uses less energy when Alert Mode is on, and can last for up to a week. Of course, if there’s a wall outlet close by, you can keep Ulo plugged in.
Compatibility
Ulo’s services are accessible from a webpage or using a dedicated mobile app for Android and iOS. The web interface means that Ulo is accessible using any mobile device with a browser. It is an advantage to Windows mobile and Blackberry users who rarely get support from connected devices these days. On top of these options, it will have a dedicated watch OS and Android wear app.
Though Ulo doesn’t have his own app, you integrate with other IoT devices usingIFTTT. Though IFTTT, Ulo can communicate with other well-known devices like Philips Hue, Nest, WeMo, and Wink. IFTTT is an app that creates If-This-Then-That recipes to make life easier and more secure. For instance, if your Ulo detected motion, then all Hue lights can be set to turn on. Or when your Nest thermostat is set to Away mode, your Ulo can be scheduled to set itself to Alert mode. Finally, Ulo has met several stretch goals – the first adds Apple Homekit Compatibility, the second adds voice control in English, French, and Spanish, and the third adds facial recognition.
Installation
To install Ulo, first you have to connect it to your home Wi-Fi. After successfully connecting, Ulo is ready to be used. You can simply place it on top of a flat surface or mount it on a wall but keep in mind that it is an indoor only camera. Ulo is mounted using an adhesive neodymium magnet on its rotating base.
As of now, Ulo is undergoing its crowdfunding phase which will end on December 4 of this year. Rewards are still available to backers, although the early-bird rewards have already been claimed. Keep in mind that backing a crowdfunding project is always a little risky. The project may not fund, ship dates might slip, and the product might turn out to be a bust. The benefit is that you get to be one of the first to try new technology and you get the technology at a discounted price.
Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/
