Merkury Vehicle Detection Not Working? Let's Get It Fixed.
The vehicle detection feature on your Merkury smart camera is a powerful tool, designed to provide you with relevant alerts while filtering out the "noise" of other movements. When it's not working correctly—either missing cars entirely or sending you false alarms—it can undermine the reliability of your security system.
This comprehensive guide, written in helpful British English, will help you troubleshoot and resolve the most common issues with Merkury's vehicle detection, ensuring you get the accurate notifications you depend on.
## How Does Vehicle Detection Work?
Merkury cameras use a form of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse motion. Instead of just alerting you to any change in pixels, the camera's software is trained to recognise the specific shape and movement patterns of a car or other vehicle. When it identifies a match within your designated zones, it sends a specific "Vehicle Detected" notification.
Troubleshooting Inaccurate Vehicle Detection
Let's work through the most effective solutions to improve the performance of this smart feature.
### 1. Optimise Camera Placement and Angle
The position of your camera is the single most important factor for accurate detection.
- Height and Angle: Mount your camera high enough (ideally 2-3 metres) to get a clear overview of the area, angled slightly downwards. A camera that is too low may only see part of a car, while one that's too high might not see enough detail.
- Clear Line of Sight: Ensure there are no obstructions like tree branches, bushes, or garden ornaments blocking the view of your driveway or the street. These can both block real events and cause false alarms when they move in the wind.
- Avoid Pointing at Busy Roads: If you only care about your driveway, aim the camera away from the main road. Capturing constant traffic will lead to a flood of unnecessary notifications.
### 2. Adjust In-App Sensitivity Settings
The Merkury Geeni app gives you control over how sensitive the detection is.
- Find Motion/Smart Detection Settings: Open the app, select your camera, and go into its settings. Look for 'Detection Settings' or a similar option.
- Adjust Sensitivity: If you are getting false alarms (e.g., from shadows), lower the sensitivity. If the camera is missing actual vehicles, increase the sensitivity. This may require some trial and error to find the perfect balance.
### 3. Configure Your Activity Zone
An activity zone tells your camera to only pay attention to motion within a specific, user-defined area. This is essential for eliminating false alerts.
- Draw Your Zone: In the camera's detection settings, find the 'Activity Zone' or 'Motion Zone' option.
- Be Precise: Draw a box that covers only the area you are interested in, such as your driveway or a parking space. Exclude footpaths, swaying trees, and the public road if they are not relevant to you.
### 4. Ensure a Clean Camera Lens
A surprisingly common cause of poor detection is a dirty lens.
- Wipe it Down: Use a soft, microfibre cloth to gently clean the camera lens. Dust, water spots, cobwebs, or grime can obstruct the view and confuse the AI detection algorithm.
### 5. Update Firmware and App
Manufacturers regularly release updates that include improvements to AI algorithms and bug fixes.
- Camera Firmware: In the camera's settings within the app, check for a 'Firmware Update' or 'Device Info' section. Install any available updates.
- Merkury Geeni App: Visit your phone's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) to ensure you have the latest version of the app installed.
## Final Considerations
If you have tried all of the above steps and are still experiencing significant issues, consider the lighting. Very low light or strong glare from the sun can sometimes impact performance. Ensure the area is reasonably well-lit at night for the best results. If problems persist, reaching out to Merkury customer support may be the next best step.