In 2017, a promising company named Lighthouse launched an innovative security camera that could distinguish between people and pets. Backed by Andy Rubin, the project raised approximately $20 million. However, demand for the $300 camera proved insufficient, leading to the company's decision to cease operations.
CEO Alex Teichman announced the closure on the company's website, expressing pride in the team's achievements, which included delivering smart, accessible home security powered by advanced AI and 3D sensing. Despite their groundbreaking work, Teichman acknowledged that Lighthouse fell short of achieving the commercial success needed to sustain the business.
Lighthouse's cutting-edge camera technology featured AI and 3D sensors capable of recognizing faces and distinguishing between pets and people. It could send notifications if it detected an unfamiliar individual in your home and even understand simple queries, such as whether a pet walker had arrived.
Originally scheduled for release in September 2017, the device didn't become available until February 2018, meaning some customers may still be waiting for their purchases. To address this, Teichman confirmed that Lighthouse has emailed customers with information on the refund process to ensure they receive their money back.