“STOP thief,” is well, so 20th century.
Soon home security systems will not only catch burglars, they will call them out by their names too.
A burglar sneaking into the home of 2025, will have to run the gauntlet of a whole lot of hi-tech security if they want to make off with some loot.
Waiting for the criminal will be burglar alarms that identify them through facial recognition, there will be dye sprays that will mark them in case they escape and drones that will launch from nearby rooftops and chase them down.
These are the home crimebusters of the near future, according to a report released by company Futurizon, that was commissioned by security company ADT in the US.
The report envisions hi-tech security systems that will be inter-connected not only in the home, but even across neighbourhoods.
The idea is that they will stop crimes before they happen.
Gone will be the old neighbourhood watch of tired humans patrolling their suburb, they will be replaced by cameras that will identify a suspicious stranger in the hood immediately.
To chase them away, the report says, alarms could use low frequency sounds or strobe lights to disorientate them.
Also on the cards are robotic bodyguards, smart walls that detect the pressure of someone climbing over them, and water pistols hidden in the garden that spray dye.
But local criminologist Professor Rudolph Zinn is skeptical.
Criminals have long had an ability to overcome new technology.
“What we find with criminals with CCTV footage and facial recognition software is they just start using disguises, or they move to other areas,” he said.
Zinn said another problem with such technology is that it would have to rely on integrated databases, which are controversial.
Accessing databases can be unconstitutional, and problematic. Someone walking through a neighbourhood who has a criminal record is not necessary a criminal, explained Zinn.
He might just live on the street.
“This all might sound very nice, but it is something we are unlikely to see in South Africa because of our legislation,” he said.
Burgle at your own risk
Soon home security systems will not only catch burglars, they will call them out by their names too.
A burglar sneaking into the home of 2025, will have to run the gauntlet of a whole lot of hi-tech security if they want to make off with some loot.
Waiting for the criminal will be burglar alarms that identify them through facial recognition, there will be dye sprays that will mark them in case they escape and drones that will launch from nearby rooftops and chase them down.
These are the home crimebusters of the near future, according to a report released by company Futurizon, that was commissioned by security company ADT in the US.
The report envisions hi-tech security systems that will be inter-connected not only in the home, but even across neighbourhoods.
The idea is that they will stop crimes before they happen.
Gone will be the old neighbourhood watch of tired humans patrolling their suburb, they will be replaced by cameras that will identify a suspicious stranger in the hood immediately.
To chase them away, the report says, alarms could use low frequency sounds or strobe lights to disorientate them.
Also on the cards are robotic bodyguards, smart walls that detect the pressure of someone climbing over them, and water pistols hidden in the garden that spray dye.
But local criminologist Professor Rudolph Zinn is skeptical.
Criminals have long had an ability to overcome new technology.
“What we find with criminals with CCTV footage and facial recognition software is they just start using disguises, or they move to other areas,” he said.
Zinn said another problem with such technology is that it would have to rely on integrated databases, which are controversial.
Accessing databases can be unconstitutional, and problematic. Someone walking through a neighbourhood who has a criminal record is not necessary a criminal, explained Zinn.
He might just live on the street.
“This all might sound very nice, but it is something we are unlikely to see in South Africa because of our legislation,” he said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos