Arlo has updated its AI-powered home security system with a new Emergency SOS feature, adding faster access to emergency services as part of a broader effort to improve real-time response to potential threats.
This update builds on Arlo’s early warning system, which uses AI to detect activity involving people, vehicles, and fire, and reflects the growing smart home security trend toward automated threat recognition.
The new SOS button is integrated directly into the Arlo app, so users can immediately contact local emergency services if suspicious activity is detected through a connected security camera.
This addition expands the system’s role beyond passive monitoring, reducing the delay between receiving an alert and taking action during a potential security incident, moving the system toward proactive response.
Accessing the lock screen for faster response
Arlo also enabled an SOS feature from the smartphone lock screen, allowing users to trigger emergency calls without unlocking the device or interacting with the app interface.
This change reduces friction, especially in emergency situations where even the slightest delay can impact response times, such as when an unexpected threat is detected through a break-in or home surveillance system.
Lock screen integration also allows users to preview camera alerts directly, allowing them to quickly assess whether a situation requires escalation or can be monitored without immediate intervention.
This feature is available through Arlo’s subscription tiers, such as the Early Warning System & SOS plan and Arlo Secure Pro, and reflects the growing number of advanced security tools bundled within the paid service ecosystem.
This subscription-based model is in line with broader smart home trends where ongoing services provide AI processing, cloud storage, and enhanced functionality, rather than relying solely on hardware capabilities.
Arlo’s approach focuses on combining detection and response tools within a single platform, bringing the system closer to a professional monitoring solution while remaining accessible to consumer users.
The Emergency SOS feature will be rolled out from March 30th, with compatible subscription plans priced from £24.99 per month or £269.99 per year.
