Getting Smarter Alerts from Your Somfy Camera
Somfy security cameras are equipped with intelligent person detection, a feature designed to differentiate between the movement of people and other objects like pets, vehicles, or swaying trees. This ensures you only receive notifications that require your attention. However, when this technology gets it wrong, it can undermine your confidence in your security system. If you're receiving alerts for non-human movement or, conversely, the camera is failing to detect people, this guide will help you troubleshoot the problem.
Common Reasons for Incorrect Person Detection
Artificial intelligence is powerful, but not infallible. Here’s why your Somfy camera might be struggling:
- Suboptimal Camera Placement: The angle and height of the camera can distort the appearance of objects, confusing the AI.
- Complex Environments: A cluttered background with many moving objects (like foliage) can make it difficult to isolate a person's shape.
- Challenging Lighting: Strong backlighting, low light, or rapidly changing shadows can obscure the details needed for accurate identification.
- Outdated Firmware: The detection algorithms are constantly being improved. Old firmware won't have the latest enhancements.
- Obstructions: Part of the view being blocked by a window screen, dirty lens, or other obstacle can lead to misinterpretation.
How to Improve Somfy Person Detection Accuracy
Follow these steps to fine-tune your camera's performance and receive more reliable alerts.
1. Update Your Camera's Firmware
This should always be your first step. Somfy regularly releases firmware updates that include significant improvements to their detection algorithms.
- Open the Somfy Protect app.
- Navigate to your camera's settings menu.
- Check for a "Firmware Update" option.
- If an update is available, install it immediately. The camera will likely restart as part of the process.
2. Optimise Camera Positioning
The way your camera sees the world directly impacts its accuracy.
- Height: Install the camera at a height of 2-3 metres (7-10 feet).
- Angle: Avoid sharp downward or upward angles. A straighter, more direct view of the target area is best.
- Clear View: Ensure there are no obstructions like tree branches, window frames, or glare from glass in the camera's line of sight.
- Clean the Lens: A smudge, dirt, or water drop on the lens can distort the image. Clean it carefully with a soft, microfibre cloth.
3. Adjust Detection Settings in the App
The Somfy Protect app gives you tools to refine detection.
- Go into your camera's settings and find the motion detection or notification settings.
- Adjust Sensitivity: If the camera is missing people, try increasing the sensitivity. If it's triggering on everything, decrease it slightly.
- Use Activity Zones: If your camera supports it, set up activity zones to focus detection only on specific areas, like a walkway or doorway, while ignoring a busy street or a neighbour's garden.
4. Improve Lighting Conditions
Good lighting is crucial for any camera's AI.
- For outdoor cameras, ensure the area is well-lit at night. If the built-in night vision isn't sufficient, consider adding an external motion-activated light.
- For indoor cameras, avoid pointing them directly at bright windows, which can create silhouettes and backlighting issues.
5. Restart the Camera
A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software glitches.
- Unplug the Somfy camera from its power source.
- Wait for 60 seconds before plugging it back in.
- Allow the camera a few minutes to restart and reconnect to your network.
- Test the person detection feature again.
By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your Somfy camera's person detection and build a more reliable and intelligent home security system.