See Sunflower Labs' home security drones

Here's a look at the San Francisco startup's "Bee" drone, "Sunflower" motion detectors and "Hive" base station.

Stephen Shankland

Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.

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Stephen Shankland

Feb. 7, 2019 5:00 a.m. PT

The Sunflower Labs has a domed top to reduce noise surrounded by four propellers and four ultrasound sensors for collision avoidance.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

Sunflower Labs, a startup building home security drone system, designs its own aircraft. The drone has a domed top to reduce noise surrounded by four propellers and four ultrasound sensors for collision avoidance.

The Sunflower Labs drone emerges from its "hive" base station. It's part of a home security system set to go on sale in 2020.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

The Sunflower Labs drone emerges from its "hive" base station. It's part of a home security system set to go on sale in 2020.

The Sunflower Labs drone can be set to sweep your property, following a preset course.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

The Sunflower Labs drone can be set to sweep your property, following a preset course.

Sunflower Labs' security system begins with sidewalk lights that also house motion and vibration detectors.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

Sunflower Labs' security system begins with sidewalk lights that also house motion and vibration detectors.

Sunflower Labs' "hive" base station houses and charges the "bee" home security drone.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

Sunflower Labs' "hive" base station houses and charges the "bee" home security drone.

Sunflower Labs CEO Alex Pachikov holds one of his company's motion detectors.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

Sunflower Labs CEO Alex Pachikov holds one of his company's motion detectors.

Sunflower Labs' drone rests in a dished compartment with copper charging contacts.

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Sunflower Labs home security drone system

Sunflower Labs' drone rests in a dished compartment with copper charging contacts.

The Sunflower Labs "bee" drone has a main camera to peer at your property. It points inward from your property boundary to avoid concerns from neighbors that you're snooping.

8 of 8 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Sunflower Labs home security drone system

The Sunflower Labs "bee" drone has a main camera to peer at your property. It points inward from your property boundary to avoid concerns from neighbors that you're snooping.