Compact home security camera tracks motion, sound

Amsterdam-based Amaryllo International said it has made the “first intelligent home security robot” in the form of a compact security camera that tracks movement and sound. The product, called iCamPRO, is a small, round camera that can be mounted easily on walls and ceilings. It can even be screwed into a lightbulb socket.

The camera was funded through an Indiegogo campaign and raised $343,850, which the website says is nearly 24,000 percent of the company’s initial funding goal by the end of October. It seems demand for a small motion camera was much more than expected, or at least more than was needed. The product was also one of several recognized with a CES Best of Innovation award in January.

The camera is unique in being very capable at such a small size. It has a 2MP lens and is capable of recording in full HD, but to keep video smooth it will downgrade the quality when the Wi-Fi bandwidth dips. In addition to allowing users to watch the feed from anywhere, the camera can be controlled from within a browser or through an iOS or Android app. The camera can send both picture and text alerts. It also has a CPU capable of 256-bit encryption. It includes a 2m power cord, so it can be placed high enough to record an entire room and charges via a microUSB port. Perhaps best of all, it does all this with a starting price of $199.99. Putting so much in such a tiny package is what drives product categories forward. This kind of product could come to define consumer tastes for a basic full-featured security camera.