Is Your Somfy Camera's Pet Detection Unreliable?
The smart pet detection feature on Somfy security cameras is a fantastic tool for keeping an eye on your furry family members without being bombarded by constant motion alerts. However, when it doesn't work as expected—either missing your pet entirely or sending false alarms—it can be frustrating. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fine-tune your Somfy camera's settings for accurate and reliable pet detection.
Recognising Pet Detection Problems
First, let's identify the specific issue you're facing. The problem might manifest in several ways:
- No Detection: Your pet is clearly moving in the camera's view, but you receive no notification at all.
- Incorrect Classification: You receive a generic "Motion Detected" alert for your pet, rather than a specific "Pet Detected" notification.
- False Alarms: You receive "Pet Detected" alerts for non-pet-related movements, such as shadows, rustling plants, or reflections.
- Intermittent Performance: The feature works sometimes but fails at other times, seemingly at random.
- Feature Inactive: You've enabled pet detection in the Somfy Protect app, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on the notifications you receive.
How to Fix and Optimise Somfy Pet Detection
Artificial intelligence-based detection relies on a combination of software and a clear view. By optimising the camera's setup and settings, you can significantly improve its performance.
1. Optimise Camera Placement and Angle
The way your camera sees the world is the most critical factor for accurate AI detection.
- Ideal Height: Place the camera at a height of around 2 to 3 metres (6 to 10 feet). This gives it a good vantage point to distinguish the overall shape and size of a pet versus a human.
- Clear Line of Sight: Ensure there are no obstructions like furniture, plants, or window glare blocking the camera's view of the areas your pet frequents.
- Avoid Angling Upwards: Point the camera slightly downwards. A camera pointing towards the sky or a bright horizon can struggle with backlighting, making it difficult to identify shapes correctly.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: For indoor cameras, avoid placing them looking directly out of a window. The reflection and changing light can confuse the sensor.
2. Adjust Sensitivity Settings in the App
The sensitivity setting tells the camera how much movement is required to trigger an alert. This is often a balancing act.
- Open the Somfy Protect app and go to the Settings menu for your camera.
- Navigate to Motion Detection or Detection Settings.
- You will find a sensitivity slider. If you are getting no detections, try increasing the sensitivity.
- If you are getting too many false alarms, decrease the sensitivity slightly.
- Make small adjustments and test the results over a day or two before adjusting again.
3. Configure Your Detection Zones
Activity zones allow you to specify exactly where the camera should look for motion. This is key to reducing false alerts.
- In the camera's detection settings, find the Activity Zones or Detection Area option.
- Create zones that cover the specific areas you care about (e.g., the floor, a doorway) and exclude areas with constant irrelevant motion, such as a rustling tree visible through a window or a busy street.
- By ignoring these problematic areas, you allow the camera's processor to focus only on the zones that matter.
4. Ensure Good Lighting
AI detection algorithms work best when they have a clear, well-lit image to analyse.
- Daytime: Make sure the area is reasonably well-lit. Areas that are too dark or have very deep shadows can make detection difficult.
- Night-time: For night vision, ensure the camera's infrared (IR) LEDs are not blocked. Also, remove any nearby objects that might cause IR glare by reflecting the light back into the lens.
5. Keep Your Software Updated
Somfy regularly releases firmware updates for cameras and new versions of the app. These updates often include improvements to the AI detection algorithms.
- Camera Firmware: The app will usually notify you if a firmware update is available. Make sure to install it.
- App Version: Check the App Store or Google Play to ensure you have the latest version of the Somfy Protect app installed on your phone.
By taking a comprehensive approach to camera placement, in-app settings, and software updates, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your Somfy camera's pet detection feature.