Overview
AI Key operates as an edge processing appliance alongside UniFi Protect. It receives smart detections from paired cameras and applies additional AI models to those events, enabling advanced search and recognition functions without requiring the camera itself to perform every AI task.
AI Processing and Search
The AI Key provides NeXT AI natural-language search for locating camera events using descriptive queries. It can also generate AI-enhanced alarms from configurable search queries and provide AI-generated event summaries. Ubiquiti specifies a processing capacity of up to 1,800 smart detections per hour.
Recognition and Transcription
AI Key adds face recognition and license plate recognition capabilities to compatible G4 and G5 cameras. It also supports speech-to-text processing for supported smart detections from AI-series cameras. Face enhancement can be manually applied to supported recognition events.
Network and Hardware
The AI Key uses a single Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 interface and receives power through PoE++. Hardware includes an Arm Cortex-A78AE processor, 16 GB LPDDR5 memory, and 256 GB SSD storage. A 1.3-inch touchscreen provides local status and interaction.
Compatibility
AI Key can pair with UniFi Protect cameras that provide smart detections, including G4, G5, and AI-series cameras. G3 and third-party ONVIF cameras require an AI Port to provide the smart detection data that AI Key processes. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Key Features
- Up to 1,800 smart detections processed per hour
- NeXT AI natural-language video search
- AI-enhanced alarms and event summaries
- Face recognition, license plate recognition, and face enhancement
- 16 GB LPDDR5 memory, 256 GB SSD, and 1.3-inch touchscreen
Applications
AI Key is suited to UniFi Protect installations requiring enhanced video search, event analysis, recognition, and AI-assisted alerting across compatible camera deployments. It can be used in commercial security systems, campuses, facilities, warehouses, offices, and other environments managed through UniFi Protect.
DC Supplies Product Note
AI Key processes smart detections received from paired cameras rather than replacing the camera or NVR. The number of useful detections processed per hour depends on the selected cameras and the configured AI functions.
Specifications
| Brand | Ubiquiti |
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| Part Number / MPN | AI-KEY-US |
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| Product Type | Edge AI Appliance |
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| Application | UniFi Protect |
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| Compute Capacity | Up to 1,800 smart detections/hour |
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| Processor | Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 |
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| Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
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| On-Board Storage | 256 GB SSD |
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| Networking Interface | 1 × Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 |
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| Power Method | PoE++ |
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| Supported Voltage Range | 50–57V DC |
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| Maximum Power Consumption | 45W |
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| Display | 1.3-inch touchscreen |
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| Management Application | UniFi Protect |
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| AI Functions | Natural-language search, AI alerts, AI summaries, speech-to-text, face recognition, LPR, face enhancement |
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| Factory Reset | 1 button |
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| Enclosure Material | Aluminum alloy |
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| Form Factor | Compact desktop |
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| Operating Temperature | -5 to 40°C |
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| Operating Humidity | 5–95% noncondensing |
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| NDAA Compliant | Yes |
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| Certifications | FCC, IC, CE |
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FAQs
What does the Ubiquiti AI Key do?
AI Key adds advanced AI processing to UniFi Protect smart detections, including natural-language search, AI alerts, event summaries, face recognition, LPR, and speech transcription.
How many smart detections can AI Key process?
Ubiquiti specifies a capacity of up to 1,800 smart detections per hour. Actual processing depends on the configured AI functions and camera activity. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Which cameras work with AI Key?
AI Key can pair with Protect cameras that support smart detections, including G4, G5, and AI-series cameras. G3 and third-party ONVIF cameras require an AI Port for smart detection processing. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Does AI Key require PoE++?
Yes. The AI Key uses PoE++ for power and supports a 50–57V input range with maximum power consumption of 45W. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Does AI Key provide natural-language camera search?
Yes. Processed smart detections can be searched using descriptive natural-language queries through UniFi Protect. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
