Source-Pexels
What do home security and Amazon (the e-commerce giant) share? In the past, the answer would be, “Amazon’s a great place to purchase home security systems.” Today, though, things are changing.
With the introduction of delivery drones from Amazon, the company claims the possibilities are virtually endless. While delivering packages may be their main purpose, the chance of drones offering surveillance has now come to light.
Amazon recently received a patent for this technology due to how popular the concept has become. The current patent details how the company’s drones would watch a customer’s property between deliveries. The patent also explains how the drones would do this while maintaining privacy.
Drones and Surveillance
The idea of using drones as a surveillance tool isn’t new. It’s something the military has been operating for decades. Now, companies are starting to explore how these drones could be used for home security purposes and to complement systems. Now, when you find Alarm Grid deals for a new security system, you may also be able to add drone surveillance.
While this is true, the surprising thing about Amazon’s efforts is that you rarely hear about surveillance being handled by delivery drones. After all, this technology is still in its very early stages.
Amazon’s Efforts to Move their Home Surveillance and Security Efforts Forward
Even though the Alphabet’s Wing only received FAA approval for deliveries in the United States, the new drone hasn’t been approved. Amazon says the company hopes to launch a new commercial service in just a few months.
The initial patent (mentioned above) provides several hints regarding how the surveillance would work. It states that customers can pay for visits weekly, daily, or even hourly. The drones would also have microphones and night video cameras to expand their sensing capabilities.
raises significant privacy concerns. This is true for anyone who did not permit Amazon to view or surveil their homes or property.
This is one issue that Amazon addressed directly in the patent. They provided in-depth details of how, using geofencing technology; the drones would not capture any footage of property or houses that had not been approved using this surveillance.
The images captured would be able to be edited when captured or post-capture. The physical restraint of the camera could also restrict the pictures on the drone.
Source-Pexels
Will the New Home Security Service Ever Come to Fruition?
This is a good question. After all, the typical disclaimers related to any new patent application here. This service may never exist for actual use.
Amazon alternated Amazon has some rather eccentric drone technologies (i.e., the parachute shipping label and floating airship) that never made it to market. Only time will tell whether this intriguing home security feature will be available to homeowners from Amazon.
