Arlo Introduces Advanced AI Features for Smart Home Security Cameras

Arlo's cameras get face, vehicle and custom AI recognition for alerts -- here's how it works

While Arlo makes some of the best security cameras, today's Arlo Secure platform update adds next-generation AI features to make them even better. Arlo Secure 5 brings computer learning to its cameras, which can recognize individuals and vehicles. It even has a Custom Detection feature to expand the scope of what you can receive a notification about, such as when a garage door is left open or lights are left on in a room. Like Google and Wyze's Familiar Faces feature, Arlo cameras can now tell exactly who has arrived at your home. To train the system, you name each person's photo within the Arlo app's private picture library. Instead of getting an alert that motion was detected at your deck, you can now see something like "Michael was recognized at the deck." You can also label a bank of vehicles to teach the camera which model belongs to whom. Instead of getting an alert that motion was detected at the Driveway, you can now see a more personalized "Mom's Civic arrived at the Driveway." With the holidays coming up, it's helpful not to stop what you're doing since you'll know if an immediate family member is running in with last-minute groceries. Beyond people and vehicles, you can train Arlo's AI system yourself. You can use the Custom Detection feature (currently in Beta) to teach your camera to recognize specific objects or status changes to trigger custom notifications. This can be useful to get alerts when the garage door is left open, lights are left on in the basement, or if a pet is sitting on the couch. Arlo's monthly subscription plans start at $12.99 for 30 days of cloud video storage, rich notifications, and even more advanced object detection. Arlo AI gives its cameras a serious leg up over the competition; however, its limited 30 days of cloud storage feels stingy compared to Ring Protect's 180 days or even Google's Nest Aware Plus, which offers 60 days.

Arlo cameras can now recognize people and vehicles

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Arlo is upgrading its security cameras and video doorbells with additional AI capabilities. The company is adding the ability for its cameras to recognize people and vehicles, and learn to detect custom objects or changes in the surroundings. While an Arlo camera can currently alert you when it spots a person or vehicle (as well as packages and animals), it can now be trained to tell you exactly who it sees and which vehicle. The new capabilities are part of Arlo Secure 5, a package of AI-powered features combined with machine learning. Secure 5 is available now to Arlo users in the US, Canada, and Asia-Pacific, with other regions coming soon, according to Ashton Good, senior director of marketing at Arlo. If the new alerts work well, they could be hugely helpful. Ideally, they'd cut down on nuisance notifications -- which has been something of a white whale for security cameras -- and only send alerts you actually need to know about. Arlo Secure 5 brings three new features. With enhanced people detection, Arlo cameras can now offer "personalized alerts labeled with names from your private library of named faces," according to a press release. (Google and Eufy already offer similar facial recognition features for their cameras.) Good says the processing for facial recognition is done in the cloud, not on the device, but the images gathered "are unique and specific to each account and are not shared with other users or used in any central database." Arlo encrypts video and data during transmission and when stored in the cloud, according to Good. The second new feature, vehicle recognition, will send alerts "labeled with known vehicles that you previously named," says Arlo. Custom detection is Secure 5's third capability. Currently in beta, this feature allows you to train Arlo's AI systems to recognize specific objects or changes around your home and send you notifications. Arlo provides examples of a camera telling you when the garage door is open or one sending an alert if you left the lights on in your basement. All current Arlo cameras and video doorbells will be compatible with Secure 5 and do not require an Arlo base station, says Good. However, Secure 5 features will require an Arlo Secure Plus or Premium subscription (starting at $17.99 a month); as they aren't included with the Arlo Basic plan.

Arlo Secure gets powerful new AI features | Digital Trends

If you own an Arlo device, subscribing to Arlo Secure is all but a necessity. Membership unlocks heaps of additional features (such as 30-day video history and smart activity zones), and signing up has just grown more enticing with the reveal of Arlo Secure 5. The updated platform now incorporates new Arlo Intelligence (AI) to bring added functionality to your smart security system. With the arrival of Arlo Secure 5, members will now benefit from Person Recognition, Vehicle Recognition, and Custom Detection. The first two allow you to name previously detected faces and vehicles, so when one is scanned by your cameras, you'll get a personalized alert about who is on your property. Recommended Videos Custom Detection is currently offered as a beta program, but it lets you create your own detection program for various movements on your property. For example, you can train your camera to detect when the garage door is left open or if lights are left on in a certain room. It seems like a powerful feature with tons of customization options -- and it'll be interesting to see how users implement Custom Detection in their homes. "Arlo continues to lead the industry with our advanced AI and Computer Vision capabilities, including custom detections, vehicle recognition, and person recognition, that deliver even more peace of mind to Arlo users," said Matthew McRae, chief executive officer at Arlo. "Our relentless focus on smart home security backed by our commitment to also protect our customers' data and privacy will continue to drive more industry-first innovations that customers can trust to safeguard their loved ones." To unlock the new Arlo Intelligence features, you'll need to sign up for Arlo Secure Plus or Premium. Arlo Secure Plus costs $15 per month, while Premium costs $21 per month. Most users will find Secure Plus to be the best option, though if you're seeking an affordable home security system with professional monitoring, stepping up to Premium isn't a bad idea. For more choices, be sure to check out our roundup of the best DIY home security systems.