Here at Pool Magazine, we’re accustomed to exploring innovations within the pool industry. However, every now and then, a development in the broader realm of home technology catches our attention. The latest buzz? PaintCam Eve, an AI-equipped surveillance and security camera equipped to fire paintballs and tear gas at unwanted intruders in the backyard.
Living in the age of missing Amazon packages and porch pirates, one can suppose it was only a matter of time before someone proposed a device such as PaintCam Eve. The inventors, a Slovenia-based company called OZ-IT, state that their AI device is an effective deterrent for several reasons.
For one, the threat of being struck by a paintball can serve as a powerful visual deterrent to potential intruders, discouraging them from attempting to trespass or commit crimes on the property. Secondly, paintballs are considered non-lethal projectiles, making them a safer option for deterring intruders without risking serious injury or fatalities. Additionally, the paint splatter left behind by a fired paintball can serve as a unique identifier for law enforcement to track and identify intruders, aiding in their apprehension and prosecution.
According to promotional materials, this autonomous monitoring device boasts motion detection, facial recognition, and a “zero compliance, zero tolerance” policy towards potential threats.
While still in concept mode, the device already has pool professionals talking about the ramifications of such a product actually making its way to the backyard.
“As individuals who frequently visit customers’ homes to perform pool maintenance, service pros prioritize safety above all else. The prospect of encountering an AI surveillance system armed with paintball or teargas projectiles introduces a significant safety risk,” said Pool Magazine Editor, Joe Trusty.
The company claims that Eve’s “EVA” AI system will prevent innocent bystanders from becoming collateral damage. Supposedly, designated individuals can pass by unscathed thanks to facial recognition technology. But one can’t help but wonder about the potential margin for error. Will Eve truly be able to accurately distinguish between friend and foe in the heat of the moment? And what happens if it doesn’t?
It’s also worth noting that the details regarding Eve’s operation are somewhat murky. While the promotional video showcases both automatic and manual screening capabilities, there’s a distinct lack of clarity regarding how pre-authorized visitors will be identified. Will visitors need to submit to 3D facial scans? And how can we be sure that such technology won’t perpetuate existing biases, particularly when it comes to racial profiling?
Furthermore, the different tiers of PaintCam Eve raise additional questions. The basic version offers little more than “smart security” and on/off app capabilities, while the Pro model boasts facial recognition. What about the teargas feature? How much extra will homeowners need to shell out for that dubious privilege?
As of now, OZ-IT’s Kickstarter campaign is set to launch on April 23, with no concrete release date in sight. While the allure of security gadgetry may be enticing for some, skeptics already predict a laundry list of problems that could arise ranging from unintended injuries resulting from friendly fire, to potential lawsuits from anyone mistakenly identified as an intruder and attacked by the device.
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