Worried about burst pipes this winter? HeroLabs AI-powered leak detector will protect your home

Now this is a smart home product 
The Sonic device uses AI to detect when changes in water pressure in pipes may lead to a leak
HeroLabs
Amelia Heathman18 December 2019

Artificial intelligence is an ever-present part of our lives, whether it's an algorithm in Citymapper finding the best way to get you home, to the Amazon search results which surface up that last-minute secret Santa present.

When it comes to AI and smart home tech, however, so far a lot of the attention has focused on things like smart speakers and smart doorbells. London start-up HeroLabs has come up with an ingenious way to use AI to protect one of the most important things in your house: your pipes.

This week, the company has launched its flagship product, Sonic, which is the UK’s first ultrasonic-powered smart water monitor. The aim of Sonic is to help protect homes against water leaks – it uses ultrasonic technology to monitor water use and the algorithms will spot anything unusual going on. In the event of an issue, Sonic will send an alert to its mobile app and automatically shut off the water supply to prevent a water leak damaging possessions and property.

The gadget can be powered either from batteries or via a connection to the mains so it can be installed in basements or other difficult to access spaces.

Speaking about the launch of Sonic, HeroLabs founder and CEO Krystian Zajac said: “Water leaks are a massive issue in the UK, from damaging people’s homes and possessions to destroying the environment, but very little is being done about it. We want to help people eradicate leaks altogether. Our AI-powered technology is designed to stop water leaks at the source, saving consumers the hassle and stress of getting them fixed, and saving money on claims for businesses and insurers."

Pipe leaks are a 24/7 fear – every year £657 million worth of domestic insurance claims are made to repair and replace possessions and property damaged by water leaks – but more so in the winter. When the temperature drops, poorly insulated pipes will freeze, which causes the water to expand. The build-up of water pressure between the ice blockage and closed tap can cause the pipe to burst.

Sonic connects to an app on your phone to warn you of any changes in water pressure
HeroLabs

But Sonic isn’t just about preventing leaks – Zajac says the tech can have other uses around the home, including helping to save the environment, by helping you to understand your water usage and find ways to use less.

“The amount of water being taken out of the environment or ‘over-abstraction’ means that just one in five UK rivers are now deemed ‘healthy’,” said Zajac. “Sonic will not only be able to prevent freshwater from being wasted through leaks, but the app will also help people conserve water by giving them helpful hints and tips about which appliances are using the most water, so they can make greener decisions.”

Sonic is available to pre-order now for a deposit of £20, all of which will go to WaterAid. HeroLabs says the product will retail for £379, with the first Sonics set to ship in early 2020.

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