Most Americans have some kind of home security system—usually a series of connected cameras. There are now a number of companies selling home security systems that can not only sound an alarm but also fight back. These home defense systems are designed to teach intruders (or kids who sneak in after curfew) a hard lesson: by deploying pepper spray, smoke bombs, paintballs, blaring sirens, or "disorienting fog."
disorienting fog
"Security experts know that it's extremely difficult to commit a theft without sight," explains MyShield's public relations representative Morayah Horovitz of the philosophy behind its security system. MyShield is an indoor battery-operated device that can be integrated with existing security systems or used independently. When motion is detected, it requests visual confirmation from the homeowner, and once received, it releases a non-toxic but "disorienting" fog created using a polytechnic composition. You can create a network of MyShield devices that cover your entire home for $1,300 for the devices alone, plus a $40 monthly subscription fee. Essence, the company that makes MyShield, has sold more than 1 million similar devices in the United States and Europe over the past decade with great success. While it may feel a little apocalyptic, indoor smoke is the least extreme of the options available.
paintball
While PaintCam Eve is still in its pre-launch stage, it is fully funded on Kickstarter and will begin shipping in 2025. Available in three models, Eve is an AI-enabled smart security camera that can also shoot your eyes with paintballs. Given that the AI in the various doorbells I've tried still occasionally recognized my mailman Steve as a package, and often thought the neighbor's cat was the lawyer on my doorstep, I asked Eve's team how confident they were in their system . As with MyShield, it turns out that none of the responses are automatic. Instead, Eve allows you to create warning zones around your home, where possible threats first receive a verbal or audible warning, while the system alerts the homeowner, who can decide whether to use paintballs. At least, that's how it works "in manual mode," as executive team representative Hana explained in an email. Regarding their AI, "At the heart of this system is a deep learning neural network that has been trained on a massive dataset of images and scenes, including thousands of examples of different objects, faces, pets, and potential threats." Basically. , which works like all other artificial intelligence.
In terms of injury potential, if you've ever played paintball, you know that paintballs are not usually fatal, but they do prove to hurt people quite often, resulting in eye and ear injuries and even rare deaths . Harner said that while these are "non-lethal paintballs, similar to those used by law enforcement for peaceful deterrence," it raises a good point: Paintballs used by police officers cause more damage than recreational paintball users. Injury rates are higher because victims don't expect this. I hadn't broken into someone's home since coming home late from a concert in 1993, but I'm absolutely sure I wasn't expecting a high-velocity projectile. As for pets, there are three models - Eve, Eve+ and Eve Pro - the latter two of which "include advanced animal detection features." Standard Eve users have to trust the AI to recognize cats better than my Ring Camera. Eve is expected to start at $2,165 for the retail version when it launches, with additional subscriptions priced at approximately $38 per month.
Pepper Spray (and More)
While Deep Sentinel's new FlashBang technology will be available to residents in the future, it is currently only available on a case-by-case basis, with demand primarily coming from businesses. However, if fog and projectiles aren't enough for you, maybe pepper spray, smoke grenades, strobe lights, and sirens are more for you. FlashBang itself is part of the security system deployed by Deep Sentinel, and while the company and system have been around for a while, FlashBang is about to launch and has already completed beta testing. The core system relies on artificial intelligence and integrates on-site "guards". FlashBang is a deployment device with encryption and security features. Deployment of more powerful tactics like smoke and pepper spray requires human approval, just like the other products detailed above. David "Selly" Selinger, CEO and co-founder of Deep Sentinel, assured me that all medical effects of the strategies used were temporary and amounted to nothing more than some coughing, nasal and throat irritation, and even mentioned the use of food-grade particles in the smoke. Still, there are many reports that pepper spray and smoke bombs may have greater health effects , particularly on the menstrual cycle . FlashBang starts at $2,000, but since it's part of an overall security system, there are additional hardware and subscription costs.
Is it legal?
I asked each company about the legality or liability of having such a system. Eve puts the blame on homeowners, saying, "We recommend buyers check local laws regarding property protection." Selinger noted, "All FlashBang components are legal in all 50 states." I checked with Oregon and Arizona Two attorneys in different states, etc. While the laws vary by city, state, and county, the law that generally applies is the Castle Doctrine, or "stand your ground." The idea is that individuals can use "reasonable principles". The courts come into play when you have to explain what is reasonable and what constitutes a threat. Additionally, even "stand your ground" laws vary greatly from state to state. Lawyers point out that it is difficult to claim self-defense if the homeowner is not home when these security strategies are deployed.
Is this ethical?
I asked Eve and Deep Sentinel to answer the natural reactions people might have to the severity of their defense systems. Eve’s Hana replied: “For those who have not experienced the fear of someone breaking into their property while their family is home, our system may seem overkill. However, those who are familiar with this fear understand the need to have a The system is designed not to harm intruders but to scare and flag them, helping law enforcement apprehend them faster." Salinger echoed that sentiment. "Yes, maybe the effects will be strong, but in a world that allows criminals to feel they have the upper hand, I believe people should feel they don't have to be victims."
Harner makes a good point - these systems just scare people, which is (usually) not fatal. If they deter intruders (and homeowners themselves from taking more drastic action), maybe that's a good thing. The idea that intruders are "marked" by eye burns, smoke burns, or paintballs should make tracking intruders easier. Still, these feelings are extreme. None of these systems take into account the possibility that "home security" will take on a whole new meaning when your neighbors get tired of the blaring alarms and tactical training grounds you create on your property. Even paintballing has nothing on a well worded HOA letter.
