How to Troubleshoot and Fix Inaccurate Verkada Person Detection
Verkada's advanced person detection is a powerful tool for enhancing security and providing valuable insights. However, when the system generates false alerts or fails to detect people accurately, it can undermine its usefulness and lead to alert fatigue. If you're experiencing issues with your Verkada camera's person detection, this guide will walk you through the common causes and provide actionable steps to improve its accuracy.
The goal is to fine-tune your system so that you receive meaningful, reliable notifications. Inaccurate alerts can be caused by a range of factors, from camera placement and environmental conditions to software settings. By methodically addressing each potential issue, you can calibrate your camera for optimal performance.
## Common Reasons for Incorrect Person Detection
Understanding the root cause is the first step towards a solution. Here are the most frequent reasons why your Verkada camera might be struggling with person detection:
- Poor Camera Placement or Angle: The camera may be positioned too high, too low, or at an angle that distorts the appearance of people.
- Challenging Lighting: Strong backlight, deep shadows, or sudden changes in light can confuse the analytics algorithm.
- Environmental 'Noise': Motion from trees, flags, animals, or even reflections can sometimes be misinterpreted as a person.
- Incorrectly Configured Detection Zones: The area being monitored might include sources of irrelevant motion.
- Outdated Camera Firmware: Verkada continuously improves its algorithms, and running old firmware means you're not benefiting from the latest enhancements.
- Obstructions: The camera's view may be partially blocked by objects, preventing it from seeing the entire person.
## A Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Accuracy
Follow these steps within your Verkada Command platform to diagnose and correct person detection issues.
### 1. Evaluate and Optimise Camera Placement
The physical installation of the camera is the foundation of accurate analytics.
- Angle of View: For optimal detection, the camera should have a clear, downward-angled view of the target area. Avoid positioning cameras where people will only be seen from directly above or from a great distance.
- Height: A mounting height of 3 to 5 metres is generally ideal. If the camera is too high, people will appear too small for the algorithm to analyse confidently.
- Clear Line of Sight: Ensure there are no obstructions like signs, pillars, or large plants blocking the view of the areas you want to monitor.
### 2. Manage Lighting and Environmental Factors
Lighting plays a huge role in how the camera's AI interprets a scene.
- Avoid Strong Backlight: Do not point the camera directly at the sun or other bright light sources. This can create silhouettes that are difficult to analyse.
- Consider Infrared (IR) Performance: At night, ensure the camera's IR illuminators are providing even coverage of the scene. Check for reflective surfaces (like windows) that can cause IR glare and obscure the view.
- Acknowledge Moving Shadows: Be aware that long, moving shadows during sunrise or sunset can sometimes be a source of false alerts. While the algorithm is designed to handle this, minimising them through camera positioning is always beneficial.
### 3. Refine Your Motion and Detection Zones
This is one of the most powerful tools for reducing false positives.
- Log in to Verkada Command and select the camera you wish to configure.
- Go to the Settings tab and find the Motion Detection settings.
- Define a Precise Zone: Create a motion detection zone that covers only the area of interest. For example, if you want to know when someone approaches a door, draw the zone tightly around the path to the door, excluding any nearby bushes or a public pavement.
- Use Multiple Zones if Necessary: You can create several distinct zones if you need to monitor different areas within the same camera view.
### 4. Adjust Detection Sensitivity
Within the camera's analytics settings, you can often adjust sensitivity. If you are receiving too many false positives, try lowering the sensitivity slightly. Conversely, if the camera is missing obvious events, you may need to increase it. Make small adjustments and monitor the results before making further changes.
### 5. Ensure Firmware is Up to Date
Verkada manages firmware updates automatically through the cloud. You can check the status of your devices in the Command dashboard to ensure they are online and have received the latest updates. If a camera is offline, it cannot receive these critical performance and accuracy enhancements.
By taking a comprehensive approach that considers both the physical installation and the software configuration, you can significantly improve the reliability of Verkada's person detection and ensure you only get the alerts that truly matter.