At a Glance
- Sauron’s military-grade home security system is still in development, with a launch pushed to 2026.
- New CEO Maxime “Max” Bouvat-Merlin says the company is building sensors, AI, and a deterrence system in phases.
- The startup raised $18 million from investors including Palantir execs, 8VC, and others.
Why it matters: Tech-elite homeowners are seeking more reliable, AI-powered protection, and Sauron’s delay highlights the challenges of turning vision into product.
Sauron was founded in 2024 by Kevin Hartz and Jack Abraham after their own security failures. The pair named the company after the all-seeing eye in The Lord of the Rings and promised a “military-grade” system for tech elites. The promise included AI-driven intelligence, LiDAR and thermal imaging sensors, and 24/7 monitoring by former military and law-enforcement personnel.
Still in Development After a Year
A year after emerging from stealth, Sauron remains in development mode. New CEO Maxime “Max” Bouvat-Merlin, who spent nine years at Sonos, joined last month. He is finalizing sensor choices, the deterrence mechanism, and the realistic launch window: later in 2026 at the earliest.
> Maxime “Max” Bouvat-Merlin
> “We’re in the development phase. You’ll see a phased approach where we get our solution to market as a stepping stone. All the different components – our concierge service, our AI software running on servers, our smart cameras – are building blocks coming together in a plan we just put in place very recently.”
Building a Military-Grade System
Sauron’s product vision centers on camera pods that house 40 cameras and multiple sensors such as LiDAR, radar, and thermal imaging. The pods feed data to servers that run machine-learning computer-vision algorithms. A 24/7 concierge staffed by former military and law-enforcement experts interprets the data and helps refine the models.
Deterrence options are still being explored, including loudspeakers and flashing lights. The goal is to warn potential intruders before they enter a property, detect surveillance drones, and identify suspicious vehicles circling a neighborhood.
- 40 cameras per pod
- LiDAR, radar, thermal sensors
- Machine-learning computer-vision
- 24/7 concierge of ex-military personnel
- Deterrence: speakers, lights, drones (road-map)
Timeline, Hiring, and Funding
| Milestone | Target Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Product launch | Later 2026 | Development |
| Series A raise | Mid-2026 | Planned |
| Hiring 10-12 staff | 2026 | Planned |
| Early adopters | Late 2026 | Planned |
Sauron plans to hire 10-12 more employees in 2026 and will begin working with early adopters later that year. A Series A round is targeted for mid-2026 to accelerate product launch and customer adoption.
The company has already attracted a list of prospective clients, thanks in part to the founders’ reputation. Bouvat-Merlin emphasizes sustainable growth and maintaining premium service quality.
Privacy, Surveillance, and the Future
Privacy concerns loom over a surveillance-heavy product. Bouvat-Merlin proposes a trust-based system: homeowners grant access to specific people, and the system recognizes them. License-plate detection is also under consideration.
- Trust-based access control
- License-plate detection
- Ex-military team to refine ML
Sauron also appears amid rising crime concerns for wealthy residents. A November armed robbery stole $11 million in cryptocurrency from tech investors Lachy Groom and Joshua Buckley’s San Francisco home. The incident underscores the need for robust, deterrent-focused security.
Key Takeaways
- Sauron’s launch is now slated for later 2026, a shift from the original 2025 promise.
- The system relies on 40-camera pods, advanced sensors, and a 24/7 concierge of ex-military personnel.
- Privacy will be addressed through trust-based access and license-plate detection, while deterrence will precede intrusions.
Sauron’s next steps involve finalizing sensor configurations, manufacturing plans, and a strategy that balances premium service with scalable growth. The company plans to share more product details next year.
