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The Aura is an unique home security system

Using wireless signals instead of cameras to monitor a home, Cognitive Systems' Aura is super-easy to set up and fun to use. Mind the cost, however.

Dong Ngo
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
Dong Ngo
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Cognitive Systems Aura

The Aura includes two hardware units, a hub (right) and an extra sensor.

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Built-in battery

Each of the two hardware units has a built-in battery that lasts for hours.

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Wi-Fi-ready hub

You connect the hub to your home Wi-Fi and place it at one end of your home.

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Plug-in sensor

Then plug the sensor in elsewhere in the house.

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2.4GHz wireless signal

The two uses a 2.4GHz proprietary wireless signal to form an elliptical sphere that's a monitored area.

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Real-time alerts

When motions are detected within that sphere, the system will send an alert to the owner's smartphone, nearly in real time.

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Ease to set up

The system takes just a few minutes to set up.

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Short range

In open space, you can place the two units some 50 feet apart. But if there are walls in between, this distance is reduced to just 30 feet or even less, effectively shrinking the the protected area.

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Best for small homes

The Aura is best suited for a very small home, like a guest house or an Airbnb apartment.

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Too expensive

Unfortuatenly, at $500, the sytem is more expensive than many other camera-based systems that have more to offer.

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