Macworld 2011: eyeSKY brings a security system to iOS

Only a few things have impressed me on the show floor this year, but I ran into something that's pretty amazing. The only problem is that, as with most of these kinds of solutions, it's also very expensive.

eyeSKY Technologies, an American distributor for a German security company named Mobotix Corp, has been showing its Hemispheric IP Video Door Station. What this thing does is provide a customizable security system for the well-heeled. The unit is a Unix-based computer with a flash card memory reader installed at the door that saves to an internal DVR and/or allows you to watch the camera stream live. A 32 or 64 GB flash card can be used that gives you a few days of storage. There is a 3.1 megapixel 360 degree camera that Scott Winslow, the CEO, told me about: "Mobotix uses a proprietary codec, which is a cross between h.264 compression and motion JPEG. They call it an MXJPEG that allows these images to be transferred over the internet." Typically, this sort of transfer is a bandwidth killer, but using this codec, you get a clear and fluid compressed stream.

When someone comes to your door and rings the doorbell, or gets near it using a customizable motion sensor (anything bigger than an errant dog will set it off), a number of things can happen. An email, text message, or when the universal app for iOS and just about every other mobile platform is released, a push notification will be sent to your device. It can be set to play a canned message saying that you're busy, or you can remotely talk to the person at the door using VoIP. An internal light turns on, and it's also wired to the usual light over your door, as the DVR starts recording. This can be important if some shady character shows up and you want to show the video to the police.
The system also contains an RFID (Radio-frequency identification) card reader that can open your door, or you can remotely set a key-sequence that will open the door when input. The connected communication features have been on the market for about six months, but on February 1, a universal app will be released (along with apps for just about all other mobile platforms) that will allow you to control everything. The push notifications will even work when the app is turned off, so you don't need to keep the app up 24/7.

Here's the problem with eyeSKY's setup: it's expensive — very expensive. For the do-it-yourself crowd, it can be bought for about US$1700, but for a full turnkey solution, eyeSKY will show up anywhere, install it and train you how to use it for a whopping $5,000. It's currently being used by FEDEX and the LA County Sheriff's department, among others. Not surprisingly, the upcoming app is free, since it's useless without the expensive system connected to it.

The demo I saw was pretty amazing, and I'm putting it right on the top of my list as soon as I win the lottery. I'll just have to remember to buy a ticket one of these days.