Around The Home

The Sentri offers smart home security with a personal twist

The Sentri offers smart home security with a personal twist
Sentri is a new smart home and security device
Sentri is a new smart home and security device
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Sentri is a new smart home and security device
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Sentri is a new smart home and security device
Sentri features an HD video camera with night vision capability, a microphone, a speaker, a motion detector, an accelerometer and sensors for temperature, air quality, light and humidity
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Sentri features an HD video camera with night vision capability, a microphone, a speaker, a motion detector, an accelerometer and sensors for temperature, air quality, light and humidity
Sentri measures 9.4 x 9.4 x 1.5 in (24 x 24 x 4 cm)
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Sentri measures 9.4 x 9.4 x 1.5 in (24 x 24 x 4 cm)
It is designed to fit in "elegantly" with a user's home
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It is designed to fit in "elegantly" with a user's home
Users can change the device's background, clock style and dashboard layout
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Users can change the device's background, clock style and dashboard layout
Sentri can be mounted on a wall or stood on a shelf
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Sentri can be mounted on a wall or stood on a shelf
The device provides simple, quick-glance information for users
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The device provides simple, quick-glance information for users
Sentri allows users to access a video feed of their home from their mobile device
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Sentri allows users to access a video feed of their home from their mobile device
Sentri also provides notifications for users based on its sensors and user preferences
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Sentri also provides notifications for users based on its sensors and user preferences
Users are given the option to take action when an alert notification is received
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Users are given the option to take action when an alert notification is received
Sentri allows users to monitor trends about their home over time
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Sentri allows users to monitor trends about their home over time
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Smart home and security devices like the Piper and the Vivint Sky provide a host of clever and useful functions, but can be tricky to describe concisely. The same goes for new arrival Sentri, though its makers claim that it's the smartest around. Users can geofence their home, check in on a live video and audio feed, monitor ambient conditions, view trends and stats, set up alerts for "irregularities" at home, control other smart devices, and even personalize its appearance to blend in with the decor.

In order to deliver all this functionality, Sentri features an HD video camera with night vision capability, a microphone, a speaker, a motion detector, an accelerometer and sensors for temperature, air quality, light and humidity. Based on the information it generates from these inputs and from its interaction with the user, Sentri is programmed to continuously refine its behavior.

Users can change the device's background, clock style and dashboard layout
Users can change the device's background, clock style and dashboard layout

The device itself measures 9.4 x 9.4 x 1.5 in (24 x 24 x 4 cm), and can be placed on a shelf using its kick-stand for support or mounted on the wall, and is designed to work pretty much straight out of the box. Users supposedly need only plug it in, switch it on and connect it to their Wi-Fi network. Sentri will then monitor the home and build up a picture of its normal conditions. Information is presented on the device's screen and is also relayed to the Sentri mobile app.

Once the device is up-and-running, users begin receiving notifications from Sentri. These could include information about home temperature fluctuations that might indicate energy efficiency issues or a potential fire, warnings that a door has been unlocked for a set amount of time or an alert about unexpected motion or noise that could signal an intrusion. Going forward, the number and type of notifications will be tailored based on user's responses.

Sentri also provides notifications for users based on its sensors and user preferences
Sentri also provides notifications for users based on its sensors and user preferences

Sentri's developers say that its simplicity, in the sense that it is an all-in-one solution and requires no complicated setup, and its intelligence, in that it learns about the user, are two aspects that set it apart from its competitors. While that may indeed be the case, there doesn't appear to be anything radically different in these respects to the aforementioned Piper or Vivant Sky devices. One area in which it does differ, though, is the option for users to personalize its look.

According to the company, the Sentri device, "is designed to fit into your home, based on your individual style." Where similar products can appear bulky and conspicuous, it says, users can customize Sentri with pre-loaded themes so that it fits in with the look of their home. The device's background, clock style and dashboard layout can all be changed based on the user's preferences.

Sentri allows users to monitor trends about their home over time
Sentri allows users to monitor trends about their home over time

Sentri is currently raising funds on Kickstarter for improving and finalizing its prototypes, and going into production. As of writing, the fundraising goal has been met and, for a pledge of US$249, backers can get their hands on the device, assuming all goes to plan.

The video below is Sentri's Kickstarter pitch.

Sources: Sentri, Kickstarter

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4 comments
4 comments
Bob Flint
Where is the added value?
Environment already set, controlled by thermostats.
I lock & unlock the doors, so for a pet sitter device that Fido will knock over, I guess that is why it needs an accelerometer, to let you know the exact velocity, and that it just died sending it's last video..
or maybe it has a tremor detection and tells you that your roof just blew oooooooooffffffffffffffffff.
Sentri
Hi Bob -- Wendy from Sentri here! Sentri actually provides you with more than just a view of your home's temperature -- track humidity and air quality as well and use the Sentri mobile app as a window into your home, regardless of where you are. If you own other smart devices (e.g., Nest, Lockitron), also view the status of those devices and control them from one single app.
Zilong Han
Not very new idea, but hope better work.
Mark Keller
I like it. I wonder if it is compatible with my Venstar thermostat and my FrontPoint home security system.