At UniFi, we believe the future of advanced AI in physical security should be off-cloud—where it remains truly private, license-free, and lightning-fast. While the industry trend leans heavily on cloud-based solutions, we’ve taken a different path. Enter the AI Key, our simple, scalable Edge AI integration for UniFi Protect. Built for complete security, unparalleled speed, and total privacy, the AI Key is about to transform the way you manage and analyze your video surveillance.
Going Off-Cloud: Why It Matters
In many traditional setups, camera feeds stream from your Network Video Recorder (NVR) to a separate AI server or even to the cloud, where advanced analytics are performed. This approach often introduces:
- Latency – Delays caused by network congestion and round-trip processing in the cloud.
- Privacy Concerns – Sensitive video footage is exposed to off-site servers.
- Ongoing License Fees – Cloud-based analytics often come with monthly or annual subscription costs.
With the AI Key co-located alongside your NVR, you eliminate round-trip delays and keep data securely on-site. No extra subscriptions or hidden licensing fees. It’s just pure, private, and local AI power.
Meet the AI Key
High Performance, Compact Form Factor The AI Key delivers robust computing power while maintaining a minimal footprint. Equipped with a GbE interface for fast connectivity and an integrated LCM screen for at-a-glance system monitoring, it represents a forward-looking solution for on-premises AI processing.
Enhanced Computer Vision for Protect Cameras
When connected to your Protect Cameras, the AI Key adds an advanced layer of computer vision analysis to all your smart detections. It can identify thousands of details and contextual information with remarkable precision. This multi-layered detection approach helps you gain insights into scenes like never before.
Natural Language Search Powered by Large Language Models
One of the most game-changing features of the AI Key is its integrated Large Language Model (LLM), enabling instant, natural language retrieval. Instead of scrolling through hours of footage, simply type what you’re looking for in everyday language:
- “Show me a black Honda Civic driving by last night.”
- “Find an individual wearing a red shirt and backpack.”
- “Show a red Honda.”
- “Kids on skateboards.”
The AI Key quickly sifts through your video feeds to deliver relevant clips. And because it’s fully scalable, as your deployment grows and you add more cameras, you can simply add more AI Key units to handle the load.
Additional Features: Speech-to-Text, Image Upscaling, and More
Beyond advanced object and context detection, the AI Key also includes:
- Speech-to-Text Transcription – Automatically transcribe audio captured in your video feeds, making it easier to identify conversations and keyword references.
- On-Demand Image Upscaling – Sharpen crucial details in still images for clearer identification or evidence gathering.
- Alarm Manager with LLM Assistance – Set up custom alerts for specific behaviors, like “alert me if person is detected on my front door camera” Integrate with Slack or other platforms for real-time notifications.
- Continuous Archiving - Benefit from improved redundancy as event copies are instantly sent and stored offsite, ensuring crucial recordings are always accessible.
- 24/7 Recording From Access Devices - Seamless integration with Access Pro readers and Intercoms, delivering a unified and consolidated viewing experience.
Protect 5.2: Major Usability Enhancements
The latest UniFi Protect release, Protect 5.2, introduces a host of new features and improvements designed to take your security management to the next level:
Redesigned Event Playback
- Intuitive interface with keyboard shortcuts for precise frame-by-frame analysis.
- Streamlined timeline view makes it easier to review critical moments.
Faster, More Targeted Record Retrieval
- Quickly locate recordings of specific individuals or license plates of interest.
- Context-aware search that leverages AI for more accurate results.
Continuous Archiving for Redundancy
- Event copies can be instantly sent to remote storage for secure, offsite retention.
- Eliminate single points of failure and bolster your disaster recovery strategy.
Seamless Integration with Access Pro Readers and Intercoms
- See and manage entries and intercom calls directly from Protect.
- A unified view for all your security and access devices in one interface.
Looking Ahead
With the AI Key and the enhancements in Protect 5.2, UniFi is redefining on-premises AI for the physical security market. By keeping everything local, you get faster results, stronger data privacy, and full control—no recurring fees or cloud dependencies. We’re excited to see how you leverage these innovations to secure and streamline your operations.
Ready to experience the future of off-cloud AI? Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming releases that expand on the AI Key’s capabilities, including broader object recognition, more natural language processing features, and deeper integrations with UniFi’s growing ecosystem.
