Ooma Acquires AI-Powered Video Camera Platform Butterfleye for Home Security Service
Ooma, a company perhaps best known for its VoIP platform, today announced the acquisition of Butterfleye, an AI-powered video camera and security platform that produces a smart security camera for home and business use. Ooma plans to integrate Butterfleye’s camera into its Ooma Home security solution, while also continuing to sell the camera under its original brand. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. “Butterfleye offers a fantastic intelligent security camera system and we’re excited to add its capabilities to the Ooma Home security service,” said Eric Stang, chief executive officer of Ooma, in today’s announcement. “Our strategy is to build upon Ooma’s smart communications platform to provide advanced connected home solutions and this acquisition is an important step in that direction.”
Founded in 2015, the Butterfleye team launched its camera in 2016 with an Indiegogo campaign. The company has raised a total of just under $4 million since its launch, though it has largely stayed under the radar. In terms of features, the camera includes face and person detection, thermal, audio, and motion sensors, as well as 24/7 live streaming to almost any device. Overall, the Butterfleye may not look much different from the kind of cheap Wi-Fi cameras you can often buy on Amazon for under $30. But the company promises more intelligence than those cameras and a degree of ruggedness that most cheaper Wi-Fi cameras can’t offer. However, at a minimum price of $199.99 for a single wireless camera and $499.99 for a three-pack, we’re talking about a serious investment, especially when even the premium Nest camera, which has a much wider reputation, sells for similar prices.
