How to Troubleshoot Tend Secure's Vehicle Detection Failures
The vehicle detection feature on Tend Secure cameras is a smart tool designed to provide you with specific, relevant alerts about activity around your home. It helps differentiate between general motion and the presence of a car in your driveway. When this feature fails to work, you might miss important events or, conversely, be flooded with generic motion alerts. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the common issues that cause Tend's vehicle detection to fail.
How Does Vehicle Detection Work?
Unlike simple motion detection that reacts to any change in pixels, vehicle detection uses more advanced algorithms to analyse the shape and movement of objects in the camera's view. For this to work reliably, the camera needs a clear view and the right settings. A failure usually points to a problem in one of these areas.
Step 1: Verify Your In-App Settings
Before adjusting your camera's physical setup, let's ensure everything is configured correctly within the Tend Secure app.
- Open the Tend Secure app and select the camera you're having issues with.
- Tap the settings icon (usually a gear) to access the camera's configuration menu.
- Go to the "Motion Detection Settings" or a similarly named section.
- Check for a specific "Vehicle Detection" toggle. This may be separate from the main motion sensitivity slider. Ensure this feature is turned ON.
- Also, review your "Notification Settings". Make sure you have allowed notifications for vehicle detection events. Some apps allow you to customise alerts for different triggers.
Step 2: Optimise Camera Placement and Angle
The way your camera sees the world is critical for its AI to work correctly. Poor placement is a very common reason for detection failures.
- Field of View: The camera must be positioned so that the entire vehicle is visible in the frame for a reasonable amount of time. If a car just clips the very edge of the frame as it passes, the algorithm may not have enough data to identify it.
- Angle and Height: The ideal position is often slightly elevated (e.g., 7-10 feet high) and angled downwards. This provides a clear view of the vehicle's distinct shape. A camera positioned too low might only see the side of the car, which can be harder to distinguish from a wall or fence.
- Distance: The vehicle should not be too far away. Check your camera's specifications for its optimal detection range. If a car is just a small object in the distance, it's unlikely to be identified correctly.
Step 3: Improve Lighting Conditions
The detection algorithm relies on being able to see a clear silhouette. Poor lighting can ruin this.
- Daytime: Ensure there are no deep shadows or harsh glares obscuring the area you want to monitor. For example, a camera pointing directly into the rising or setting sun will struggle.
- Night-time: While night vision helps, its range is limited. The infrared LEDs might not be powerful enough to illuminate a vehicle at the far end of a long driveway. The best solution for night-time detection is to have good ambient lighting. Pairing your camera with a motion-activated floodlight is an extremely effective strategy. When the light turns on, the camera gets a clear, well-lit view, making vehicle detection far more reliable.
Step 4: Check for Software and Firmware Updates
Bugs in the software can sometimes be the culprit.
- App Update: Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and check if there is an update available for the Tend Secure app.
- Firmware Update: Within the Tend Secure app, go to your camera's settings and look for a section called "Firmware" or "About Device". The app will usually notify you if a new firmware version is available for your camera. Installing updates can fix bugs and improve the performance of features like vehicle detection.
Step 5: Reboot the Camera
A simple power cycle can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Unplug your Tend Secure camera from its power source.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- Plug the camera back in and allow it a few minutes to reboot and reconnect to your network.
- Test to see if vehicle detection is now working.
By systematically reviewing your settings, optimising placement and lighting, and ensuring your software is up to date, you can resolve most vehicle detection issues and restore this valuable feature.