Reolink Heralds the Next-Generation of Security Cams at IFA

It is an extreme understatement to say that a lot of products tout the use of AI, and this year's massive IFA consumer technology show in Berlin, was no exception. But at least one company offered some actually useful applications of AI for homes and small to medium sized businesses.

Reolink brings practical AI to web cams.

Reolink's forthcoming TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi security cam not only offers crystal-clear video monitoring and a dual-lens 4K camera that can look around corners, but it also touts new data analysis software that automatically tags hundreds of objects, people, and animals. Much like the software used in autonomous driving programs, Reolink's video identifies and classifies objects it sees live, in real time, labeling people like "middle-aged man" or activities like "package delivery." The company dubs the feature ReoNeura AI, and it allows for straightforward searches of recorded video using common queries like find the "man in a red baseball cap" or the "black dog."

In keeping with Reolink's current philosophy, the consumer home version of the software and service does not require a monthly subscription. It is also incredibly useful, identifying objects with much more accuracy than I've seen on the countless other security cameras I've tested. That should translate into fewer false alerts. (On the other hand, the software was perhaps more than a little too flattering when it came to guessing my age in a pre-release version of the camera at IFA.)

The TrackFlex Floodlight is currently available for preorder, with prices expected to be between $200 and $250 for the camera, and in its pre-release form, it was impressive. The wired camera can pan and tilt via a remote control or automatically follow suspicious characters or friends cavorting around your yard. The floodlight's brightness can also be programmed to suit the time of day, and recordings can be made locally (via a microSD card) or remotely.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the AI-based software is aimed and small business owners. In that version, owners get a more more advanced version of the software that also deploys infrared technology to identify people and living things. Businesses can use the video feeds not only for security purposes but also for market analysis and to help them make smarter business decisions. For example, you can query the program to automatically determine how many shoppers in a week looked at a display but failed to buy the product or how many women vs. men checked out a window display and then came into the store.

Reolink has a growing line of web and security cameras and the company plans to make the new ReoNeura work with most existing Reolink models. Danke!