Arlo has updated its AI-powered home security system with a new Emergency SOS feature, adding faster access to emergency services as part of its broader push to improve real-time response to potential threats.
The update builds on Arlo’s Early Warning System, which uses AI to detect activity involving people, vehicles, and fire, reflecting a growing trend in smart home security toward automated threat recognition.
The new SOS button integrates directly into the Arlo app, allowing users to contact local emergency services immediately when suspicious activity is detected through connected security cameras.
This addition extends the system’s role beyond passive monitoring, shifting it toward active response by reducing the delay between receiving an alert and taking action during a potential security incident.
Faster response through lock screen access
Arlo has also enabled SOS functionality from the smartphone lock screen, allowing users to trigger emergency contact without unlocking their device or navigating through the app interface.
This change reduces friction in urgent situations, where even small delays can impact response times, particularly during break-ins or unexpected threats detected through home surveillance systems.
The lock screen integration also allows users to preview camera alerts directly, helping them quickly assess whether a situation requires escalation or can be monitored without immediate intervention.
The feature is available through Arlo’s subscription tiers, including the Early Warning System & SOS plan and Arlo Secure Pro, reflecting how advanced security tools are increasingly bundled within paid service ecosystems.
This subscription-based model aligns with broader smart home trends, where ongoing services provide AI processing, cloud storage, and enhanced features rather than relying solely on hardware capabilities.
Arlo’s approach places greater emphasis on combining detection and response tools within a single platform, positioning its system closer to professional-grade monitoring solutions while remaining accessible to consumer users.
The Emergency SOS feature is expected to roll out from 30 March, with pricing for compatible subscription plans starting at £24.99 per month or £269.99 annually.
