Ah, the peephole, the answering machine of doorbells, screening knocks at your door, or rings of the doorbell, without anyone knowing it. However, this is 2012, and why should we have to get up from our couches when we have smartphones and video cameras (besides the fact we could all probably use the calories burn from actually getting off of our bums)? Enter the DoorBot, the 21st century peephole.
The DoorBot is installed in place of any doorbell, and using your Wi-Fi connection allows you to see who is at your door on your smartphone no matter where you are. When someone rings your doorbell, whether it is Mom, the UPS guy, or another door-to-door salesman, DoorBot will call your smartphone and instantly connect you with a live video feed of your wanted or unwanted guest awaiting your answer. Powered by 4 AA batteries, the DoorBot will last a full year without needing to replace the batteries under normal use.
The DoorBot uses (obviously) a circuit board with low-power Wi-Fi technology and a video camera encased in a brushed aluminum housing. Homeowners can mount the DoorBot using just 4 screws, or opt to also use the included mounting bracket. After installation, owners simply download the free app, sync it with their DoorBot, and within a matter of minutes setup is complete. Since the DoorBot is connected to the internet, you’ll be able to see who is at your door even if you are miles away from home on vacation.
When a visitor rings the DoorBot, it immediately sends out a notification to your smartphone that a visitor is at your doorstep. Once the app is opened, a live video stream is connected showing who is at your home. This stream also includes two-way audio, allowing you to speak with your guest as well. So say the FedEx guy shows up and you want to make sure he leaves that letter under the doormat, simply tell the FedEx guy to do it! The DoorBot does not have a screen on it, so your visitor doesn’t know whether you are home, which can be great when out-of-town, never letting strangers know you aren’t home.
The DoorBot also works with Lockitron, adding a whole new level of functionality to the DoorBot. When coupled with Lockitron, not only can homeowners see who is at their door, but also unlock the door for guests, or lock their doors from anywhere. So if your kids get home from school and forgot their key, or friends show up and you’re in the backyard, you can easily let them in with a touch of your smartphone screen. On the converse, you can always be certain that your doors are locked in case you left in a rush.
The DoorBot is currently undergoing a round of crowdfunding on ChristieStreet, with a $250,000 goal (at the time of this writing $47,798 has been raised). Homeowners (or renters for that matter) can get their own DoorBot for $169 without the Lockitron add-on, or $319 with the Lockitron add-on included. The DoorBot will ship in July 2013 to backers, just in time for summer vacations and summer barbecues. You can check out more about the DoorBot on ChristieStreet, and check out this video below of the DoorBot in action.
