Alexa's “Away Mode” was designed by Amazon to fool burglars into thinking someone is home at their intended target, and it works, PC Magazine reported on Monday – at least until they start reading news stories like this one.
The virtual assistant's anti-burglar skill was created by the smart home insurance company Hippo, which can play hours of conversation through its speakers to make it resemble a bustling home environment.
A woman instructing her daughter over the phone on how to put together a dresser, like you get from IKEA, lasts 68 minutes, according to the magazine. Another track resembles a couple breaking up. Yet, another track resembles a conversation at a book club meeting.
"Away Mode is the first ever home protection skill that harnesses the power of human awkwardness to ward off unwanted visitors," Amazon’s website said. "It's like that scene from 'Home Alone,' except instead of cardboard cutouts, it's insufferable conversations written by the writers of ('Saturday Night Live'), 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' and ('Upright Citizens Brigade')."
Andrea Collins, head of brand marketing at Hippo Insurance, told USA Today that the company's idea was to come up with "funny but somewhat common conversations that happen in a home."
"It's a humorous, engaging way for people not only to view home security but to talk about it," Collins continued.
The insurance company dreamed up the topics for the skits and partnered with a public relations agency to recruit the talent, which includes comedy writers from popular television shows and clubs, USA Today said.
The Amazon Echo with Burglar Deterrent skill also can use common household sounds like someone is cleaning the house or making dinner, or working in the home office, the tech company said, but it’s not as funny as Away Mode.
Police Foundation president Jim Bueermann, who retired from law enforcement after a 30-year career including one as police chief in California, told USA Today that the tactic can be successful.
"It's what we call hardening the target," Bueermann said. "Most burglars don't want you to see them. They want to get in, steal your stuff and get out."
He warned, though, that a determined burglar will eventual figured out he has been had.
"If I'm a burglar and I'm nervy enough, I'll sit there and listen and figure out it's a radio or a TV," Bueermann told USA Today. "Theoretically (Alexa Away Mode) is a good idea. If this thing mimics real conversation, it's much more likely to trick the burglar into believing somebody is home."
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