Ubiquiti UniFi Protect AI Key

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect AI Key

The Ubiquiti UniFi AI Key (AI-Key) is a dedicated edge AI appliance designed to add powerful artificial intelligence capabilities to compatible UniFi Protect surveillance deployments. With capacity to analyse up to 1,800 smart detection events per hour, AI Key enhances existing camera detections with natural-language video search, AI-driven alerts, event summaries, speech transcription and image enhancement. Powerful onboard processing with 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 256GB SSD storage keeps AI processing at the edge, while PoE++ connectivity and compact desktop construction simplify integration into professional UniFi Protect environments.

Key Features

• Dedicated edge AI appliance for UniFi Protect.
• Model AI-Key.
• Processes up to 1,800 smart detection events per hour.
• NeXT AI Natural Language Search.
• AI-enhanced alarm and threat detection functionality.
• NeXT AI event summaries.
• Speech-to-text transcription for compatible detections.
• AI-powered face enhancement.
• Adds Face Recognition to compatible G4/G5 UniFi Protect cameras.
• Adds License Plate Recognition to compatible G4/G5 cameras.
• Integrates with UniFi Protect Alarm Manager.
• Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 processor.
• 16GB LPDDR5 memory.
• 256GB onboard SSD storage.
• 1 × Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 network interface.
• PoE++ powered for streamlined installation.
• Integrated 1.3-inch touchscreen display.
• Compact aluminium-alloy desktop enclosure.
• Optional 1U rack mount supports up to three AI Keys.

Edge AI for UniFi Protect

AI Key expands the intelligence available within a compatible UniFi Protect deployment. It receives smart detection events generated by paired cameras and processes those events through advanced AI models, providing additional information and search capabilities beyond basic person and vehicle detection.

Up to 1,800 Smart Detections per Hour

Ubiquiti's current technical specification rates AI Key for processing up to 1,800 smart detections per hour. This allows a single appliance to provide centralised AI processing for compatible cameras throughout a UniFi Protect surveillance environment.

NeXT AI Natural Language Search

Natural Language Search allows operators to locate relevant surveillance events using descriptive text rather than manually searching through large amounts of footage. Processed smart detections are analysed and categorised in the background, allowing compatible footage to be searched using descriptions of people, vehicles and other supported characteristics.

AI-Enhanced Alarms

AI Key integrates with UniFi Protect Alarm Manager to provide advanced AI-based alerting. Administrators can define natural-language search criteria and trigger alarms when processed detections match the specified conditions and confidence threshold, enabling more targeted security notifications.

NeXT AI Event Summaries

NeXT AI Summary functionality can generate descriptions of processed detection events, giving operators additional context without requiring every event to be reviewed manually. Automatic summaries can also be enabled for compatible cameras according to the UniFi Protect configuration.

Speech-to-Text Transcription

For compatible UniFi Protect AI-series cameras supporting speech smart detections, AI Key can create speech-to-text transcripts. This allows operators to read transcribed conversations associated with supported detections instead of listening through the entire recorded clip.

Face Enhancement

AI-powered face enhancement can clarify facial details captured during compatible recognition events. The feature applies advanced processing to reduce noise, improve apparent resolution and sharpen relevant facial details, helping operators review captured faces more effectively.

Face and License Plate Recognition

AI Key can provide Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition functionality for compatible G4 and G5 series UniFi Protect cameras. These detections are processed asynchronously by AI Key and may therefore be subject to processing delays depending on the event queue. Deployments requiring real-time processing can use compatible AI Port functionality where supported.

Powerful Edge Processing Hardware

The appliance is equipped with an Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 256GB SSD. This dedicated hardware provides the processing and local storage resources required to run advanced AI models directly within the UniFi Protect environment.

PoE++ Connectivity

A single Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 interface provides network connectivity and PoE++ power. The appliance accepts a supported voltage range of 50–57V and has a maximum power consumption of 45W, allowing network and electrical connectivity to be delivered through a single compatible Ethernet connection.

Compact Aluminium Design

AI Key uses a compact desktop form factor measuring only 134.2 × 131.2 × 33.7mm. Its aluminium-alloy enclosure weighs 635g and incorporates a 1.3-inch touchscreen for convenient local device information and interaction.

Optional Rack-Mount Deployment

For structured equipment-rack installations, Ubiquiti offers the optional UACC-AI-Key-RM accessory. The 1U rack mount accommodates up to three AI Key appliances, allowing multiple AI processing units to be installed neatly within higher-capacity UniFi Protect deployments.

Technical Specifications

Specification Details Brand Ubiquiti Product Family UniFi Protect Model AI-Key Product Type Edge AI Appliance Primary Platform UniFi Protect Compute Capacity Up to 1,800 Smart Detections per Hour Natural Language Search NeXT AI Natural Language Search AI-Enhanced Alarms Supported AI Event Summaries NeXT AI Summary Speech-to-Text Supported with Compatible Speech Smart Detections Face Enhancement Supported Face Recognition Supported on Compatible Cameras License Plate Recognition Supported on Compatible Cameras Alarm Manager Integration Supported Processor Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 Memory 16GB LPDDR5 Onboard Storage 256GB SSD Networking Interface 1 × GbE RJ45 Management Ethernet / UniFi Protect Display 1 × 1.3-Inch Touchscreen Power Method PoE++ Supported Voltage Range 50–57V Maximum Power Consumption 45W Form Factor Compact Desktop Enclosure Material Aluminium Alloy Dimensions 134.2 × 131.2 × 33.7mm Weight 635g Factory Reset Button 1 Operating Temperature -5°C to 40°C Operating Humidity 5% to 95% Non-Condensing NDAA Compliant Yes Certifications FCC / IC / CE Optional Rack Mount UACC-AI-Key-RM Rack Mount Capacity Up to 3 AI Key Appliances per Optional 1U Rack Mount Primary Application Advanced Edge AI Processing for UniFi Protect Surveillance Systems

What’s in the Box:

• 1 × Ubiquiti UniFi AI Key (AI-Key)

The Ubiquiti UniFi AI Key brings dedicated edge AI processing to UniFi Protect, enabling advanced natural-language search, intelligent alerts, event summaries, speech transcription and enhanced recognition capabilities. With capacity for up to 1,800 smart detections per hour, powerful onboard processing hardware and convenient PoE++ connectivity, it provides a scalable way to add advanced AI intelligence to professional UniFi Protect surveillance deployments.