SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe’s latest camera tries to prevent break-ins by having someone watch your yard

Ben Schoon | Oct 15 2024 - 8:35 am PT

Security systems and cameras can go a long way in helping stop a break-in as it’s happening, but at that point damage has already been done. With its latest outdoor camera, SimpliSafe wants to stop burglars before they enter the home by having someone monitor your yard.

After launching in beta earlier this year, SimpliSafe is launching its first outdoor camera that’s designed to help prevent break-ins before they happen. This functionality debuts with the SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera Series 2, and is for now only supported on this latest camera.

“Active Guard Outdoor Protection: uses a combination of AI and human operators to monitor your home’s property and both see and speak to potential intruders before they attempt to enter the home.

SimpliSafe explains:

The Outdoor Camera detects motion. Advanced AI determines if it is everyday activity or a person on your property. If your system is armed during service hours, a monitoring agent can start reviewing the live video feed. Agents use their experience and judgment to assess the situation, and can match the visitor to familiar faces that you’ve saved in the SimpliSafe® mobile app.

SimpliSafe’s “Active Guard” feature requires paid monitoring, of course, with prices starting at $49.99/month for the Pro plan which will monitor for threats overnight, while the $79.99/month “Pro Plus” plan has monitoring active 24/7, of course in addition to standard monitoring which is 24/7 on either plan.

The new Outdoor Camera used with this functionality features improvements to night vision and video quality, as well as a 140° field of view. The camera can be installed with a wire, wireless on battery, or using a solar panel, and costs $199.99.