Facial-scanning home security camera ‘fires tear gas and paintballs at intruders’ and identifies them using ‘AI vision’

IMAGINE a home security camera that doesn’t just record – it fights back.

A Slovenian startup called Paintcam has created “Eve”, the world’s first AI-based security system.

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This system not only notifies you of intruders, but also fires paintballs and tear gas at them.

HOW IT WORKS?

Eve uses facial recognition technology to distinguish between authorized personnel and potential intruders.

If anyone unknown approaches your property, Eve will issue a stern verbal warning.

“You have been identified as an unauthorized employee. You have five seconds to leave the property!” the AI ​​says.

However, unlike traditional security cameras, Eve doesn’t stop there.

If the uninvited guest does not heed the warning, they will be hit with paintballs or sprayed with tear gas.

The system’s camera also records everything and stores the images in the cloud for security.

“When we want to ensure security, being passive is insufficient,” said Paintcam, the startup behind Eve.

“Let us dare to imagine a world where security is not just a passive observer, but an active guardian.”

Owners control Eve through an app that allows them to designate trusted individuals as “friends.”

This ensures that the system does not unleash its wrath on innocent people, such as neighbors.

While this “active defense” approach is certainly innovative, there may be potential drawbacks.

This includes legal issues if someone is accidentally injured.

And, as with most types of facial recognition technology, malfunctions, misidentification, and privacy are a major concern.

The latter has been exemplified in recent years by American home security company Ring.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission warned that Amazon Ring was being used to spy on and harass people.

The FTC said: “Ring’s lack of privacy and lax security allow employees to spy on customers through their cameras, including those in their bedrooms or bathrooms.”

As a result, customers’ videos, including videos of children, became vulnerable to online attacks.

“Hackers exploited these vulnerabilities and harassed, insulted, and propositioned children and teens through their Ring cameras,” the FTC said.

“Some hackers even streamed live customer videos,” the government agency added.

In response, Ring agreed to establish a privacy and security program and delete videos to which it should not have access.

The company, which was acquired by Amazon in 2018, also paid $5.8 million to affected customers.