Eufy TrackLight Cam S1 follows intruders with an auto-tracking spotlight

A camera with a searchlight that hunts intruders

Anker has announced a new outdoor security camera, the Eufy TrackLight Cam S1, priced at $299.99, according to TechRadar. The device pairs recorded footage with a moving spotlight beam that automatically follows people the camera does not recognise, in an attempt to scare them off the property.

Anker describes the product as the world's first outdoor track light camera with an auto-tracking light built to deter intruders. That claim comes from the manufacturer and has not been independently verified. Most home security cameras have a fixed spotlight that switches on when motion is detected, but a light that physically moves with a person is far less common.

How the tracking spotlight works

The camera can detect a target within 12 metres and lights it with a beam of 20 lux. The beam angle can range from 10 to 30 degrees. It widens as a person gets closer, and it sweeps across 355 degrees of horizontal rotation as the target moves.

For extra deterrence, a siren can sound alongside the light. The beam can also switch to flashing red and blue modes, which mimic an emergency vehicle. Footage is recorded in 4K night vision, with 10x digital zoom for distant objects, and a separate floodlight adds illumination next to the tracking beam.

Friends and family get a gentler welcome

The camera is designed not to blind the people who live at the property. If someone arrives whose phone has been added in the companion app, the device identifies them over Bluetooth and switches on a soft light rather than the harsh beam and siren.

This means the aggressive response is reserved for unknown visitors. Anyone whose phone is not recognised gets the full treatment: a light that follows them around the garden, possibly with a siren attached.

Power, weatherproofing and placement

Anker says the TrackLight Cam S1 carries a 15,000mAh battery and built-in solar panels, so it should keep running outdoors without frequent recharging. An IP65 rating means the housing resists dust and water.

Because it is a wire-free outdoor unit, buyers do not need to run cables to a mounting point, though solar charging performance will depend on how much sun the spot receives.

Why an active deterrent matters

The appeal of the TrackLight Cam S1 is deterrence rather than just evidence. A moving beam gives the impression that someone is watching in real time, which TechRadar notes may be enough to make an intruder leave, even if nobody is monitoring the footage.

For households worried about trespassers, the combination of tracking light, siren and flashing red and blue modes is a more assertive approach than a passive camera. Whether the auto-tracking works smoothly in practice will depend on real-world testing that has not yet been published.