Skip to main content

Google might be working on a security system that knows when you’re not home

best home security cameras under 200
Nest
What does Google have planned for securing home? Two patents it recently filed may provide some insight. These are continuations of previously filed patents, and they outline plans for a highly advanced security system. The system, and the arm and disarm technology laid out in these two patents, is not like the typical alarm technology we see today.

Regular security systems rely on modes like “stay” and “away” to determine whether or not to sound an alarm if there is motion detected in a home or business. We have to manually set the security system – like by pressing a keypad on our way out the door — to activate these various modes. Google’s technology takes a different .

Google wants to use external inputs to determine whether or not a person is at home. This way, we never have to worry about arming or disarming the security system, because it will automatically arm and disarm itself.

It may sound like science fiction, but from what Google indicates in the two patents, it appears viable. Nest already accomplishes this automatic arming and disarming in some ways, using geofencing to determine when it should lower your thermostat and turn on your security camera when no one’s home. Of course, this presents a problem if Mom leaves for the grocery store and a tween without a smartphone is left home alone.

Google patent No. 9,508,250

To make the security system smarter, it would use more inputs, like our geolocation data, electronic device location data (e.g. the location of our smartphone, smart watch, or other wearable device), sensor data (like motion sensors, window and door detection, and cameras), and aggregate data regarding the days and times we are at home versus away from the house. It would then be able to arm and disarm itself accordingly. It sounds like Google is hoping that, in a few years, our houses will be packed with sensors: “The sensors may be, for example, low power motion sensors, such as a passive infrared sensor used for motion detection, light sensors, cameras, microphones, entryway sensors, smart light switches, mobile device scanners for detecting the presence of mobile computing devices or fobs via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID, and the like,” according to the patent.

The security system’s hub could come preloaded with “rules” based on a setup similar to your home. If you live in a two-bedroom house with a child, your spouse, and a dog, it would set up security responses accordingly. Parameters would change when the babysitter entered the house using a code. Instead of having to turn on the alarm before bed, the sensor and device data would let the system know everyone was home and, at 10 p.m., it would automatically turn on the alarm.

None of this sounds far off from similar routines that can be set up with hubs and IFTTT recipes, but having a device that was programmed with all these rules ahead of time might make setting up a security system a little easier.

Editors' Recommendations

Erika Rawes
Smart Home Evergreen Coordinator
Erika became a professional writer in 2010, and her work is published all over the web on sites ranging from USA Today to…
Google partners with ADT to launch new smart home security system
Google and ADT collaboration.

Google has partnered with ADT to bring its lineup of smart home gadgets to a new DIY home security system -- ADT Self Setup. The unique package allows you to choose from a variety of Google devices to add to your home, all of which offer full support for the new ADT+ smartphone app.

The goal of the collaboration is to offer the customer service and security of ADT with the premium products developed by Google. The ADT Self Setup system can be modified to include the Nest Cam, Nest Thermostat, Nest Mini, Nest Hub Max, Nest Doorbell, and several first-party ADT products like the ADT Motion Sensor and ADT Smart Home Hub.

Read more
Why you should be using Google Home Routines
The Google Nest Hub Max.

If you’ve finally jumped into the smart home world by picking up a Google Nest Hub or other Google Home-compatible gadgets, you might think setting up Routines is something to postpone until you become an expert. After all, coming to terms with your new smart home might take a few days -- and Routines can often sound like a complex feature that’s best saved for a rainy day.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Routines are shockingly easy to use, and they allow you to harness the full power of your smart home. Here’s a look at what Routines are, how they work, and why you’ll want to start using them as soon as possible.
What are Google Home Routines?

Read more
What is Google Home?
Image of Google Home, 16:9 scale

Google Home is at the heart of Google’s smart home ecosystem. From video doorbells and security cameras to smart thermostats and smart speakers, Google Home gives you the versatility needed to control everything in your house. There’s a lot of nuance to the system, but getting started is simple -- just download the Google Home app to your smartphone, sync a compatible device, and you’re ready to start optimizing your daily routines.

Here's a closer look at everything you need to know about Google Home.
What is Google Nest, and how does it work with Google Home?

Read more