Unlike the Eye of Sauron, this home security camera looks less frightening and has a secret trick to keep it from seeing you all the time.
Smart security cameras for homes have seen a lot of popularity over the last few years. However, they also have been criticized. Having something that can see you 24/7 can be a horrifying thought for some homeowners, especially when it involves a third party, like a company that can take a peek at any time, whether you know it or not. There is a growing desire to be safe and secure while out. Service providers as well as homeowners must find ways to balance privacy and security. The concept of this product aims to accomplish exactly that. It provides a fast and simple way to disengage the all-seeing eyes and instantly know when it is sleeping.
Designer: Maurice Mischo
It’s almost ironic that the design of this indoor Wi-Fi camera is patterned after an eye. An eyeball is the best way to say “I see” and that’s why many connected camera companies deliberately design their products so they are discrete, discreet, and less intrusive. This camera idea is a bizarre design choice, especially when it comes to privacy.
The theme of the VISIO WiFi camera idea might not be privacy but rather “obviousness”. It is a camera, and it doesn’t disguise itself as anything else. You or your guests are unlikely to be caught unaware that there is an electronic eye that can see your every move within its field of vision.
It will be clear if the camera has been disconnected, rather than you having to guess it’s state. Smart cameras often have an on switch you only can toggle through an app. This makes it difficult to know if the camera is recording. Not all cameras have visible and unambiguous status indicators, so some owners might feel the need to just physically cover the camera when they want some privacy. That, however, might not stop it from still recording audio.
In contrast, the VISIO camera is completely disconnected when it isn’t connected to its base, which serves as its wireless power supply. Like any disembodied eye, this electronic optic won’t work unless it’s connected to something, though it would still have a small battery so that it could properly shut down when you remove it from its dock.
The VISIO compact Wi-Fi camera concept is genius in its simplicity. Easy to use and easy to distinguish, it takes a lot of guesswork and stress out of the equation of using a smart home camera. Privacy-focused, it is not “in your face”, and incorporates that privacy feature in its design. Unfortunately, this might be against the business interests of smart camera manufacturers, and is why it’s unlikely we will ever see something so simple like this smart eye.
