Is Your Tend Person Detection Wrong? How to Improve Accuracy
One of the most valuable features of a modern security camera like Tend is its ability to distinguish people from other types of motion. Receiving a "Person Detected" alert is far more meaningful than a generic "Motion Detected" notification. However, if your camera is misidentifying objects or failing to spot people, this guide will help you troubleshoot and improve its accuracy.
### Understanding the Technology
Tend's person detection uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse the shape and movement patterns of objects in its view. It's trained to recognise the general form and motion of a human being. This allows it to ignore many common triggers for false alarms, such as swaying trees, pets, or passing cars. However, its accuracy is highly dependent on a few key factors.
## Step 1: Optimise Camera Placement and Angle
Where you put your camera is the most critical factor for reliable person detection.
- Height is Key: Mount your camera between 2 and 3 metres (7-10 feet) from the ground. If it's too low, it can be easily tampered with. If it's too high, it will only see the tops of people's heads, which the AI can struggle to identify as a person.
- Angle it Downwards: The camera should be tilted down slightly. This provides a clear view of a person's entire body as they approach, which gives the AI the best possible data to analyse.
- Avoid Obscured Views: Ensure the camera's view is not partially blocked by tree branches, posts, or other objects. The algorithm needs to see as much of the person as possible.
- Watch for Reflective Surfaces: Pointing the camera at a window or a puddle can sometimes cause reflections that confuse the AI.
## Step 2: Fine-Tune Motion and Sensitivity Settings
Within the Tend app, you have tools to control how the detection feature behaves.
- Adjust Sensitivity: Navigate to your camera's settings and find the "Motion Detection" or "Person Detection" menu. You'll likely see a sensitivity slider.
- If your camera is sending person alerts for pets or other objects, lower the sensitivity.
- If your camera is failing to detect people who are clearly in view, increase the sensitivity.
- Use Activity Zones: If your camera is aimed at a mixed area (e.g., your garden and a public pavement), set up an activity zone. Draw the zone to cover only your property. This tells the camera to ignore all motion, including people, on the pavement, preventing irrelevant alerts.
## Step 3: Ensure Good Lighting Conditions
The AI needs a clear image to work effectively.
- Avoid Strong Backlight: If the camera points directly at the sun, people approaching will appear as dark silhouettes. The AI cannot identify a shape if it's completely blacked out. Reposition the camera so the sun is behind it or to the side.
- Check Night Vision: At night, make sure the camera's infrared (IR) LEDs are working correctly and are not being blocked. Also, ensure there are no nearby surfaces (like a white wall right next to the camera) causing IR glare, which can wash out the image.
## Step 4: Keep Your Firmware Updated
Tend periodically releases firmware updates for its cameras. These updates often include improvements to the AI detection algorithms, making them more accurate and reliable.
- Open the Tend app and go to your camera's "Settings" or "Device Information" page.
- Look for a "Firmware Update" option.
- If an update is available, follow the instructions to install it.
By methodically improving the camera's position, tuning its settings, and ensuring it has a clear view, you can dramatically increase the accuracy of the person detection feature and receive more reliable and meaningful security alerts.