EZVIZ - Creating Easy Smart Homes

The AI technology that we have employed

Our AI technology is focused on enhancing the functionality and user experience of our smart home products, always operating within precisely scoped application fields and predefined scenario frameworks.

Our AI technology, as well as the infrastructure for it such as the cloud platform, are self-developed by EZVIZ’s in-house teams. Although we could adopt some open-source models in the initial stage or may use third-party resources, our AI technology and the relating infrastructure are always designed, managed, and controlled by EZVIZ itself, to ensure that they always and completely align with our principles and practices.

We firmly believe that the AI technology is just a tool, and users are the only ones who decide whether and how to use this tool. We provide setting options for AI-powered features, allowing users to freely and easily set the usage plan according to their own situation.

Although some of our AI technologies may involve personal data processing, it is also very common that such use does not involve user’s personal data, such as detection features based on the general shapes of humans, pets and objects. At the same time, most of our AI technologies only run locally on the device, greatly eliminating the possibility of personal data security risks at the initial source.

Even for AI algorithms that involve cloud-based capabilities, their operation process is strictly defined and firmly controlled -- the users are the only ones who have control over the input and output data of the AI; generally, the input data are those captured by the user’s devices, and the output data are only accessible to the users themselves (and the ones authorized by the users, if any).

We have never and will not use any data contributed by the users for the purposes without or beyond the user’s authorization. Meanwhile, at EZVIZ, it is strictly prohibited to access user data solely for the purpose of algorithm training.

We have never been and will never be involved in any business that is unlawful or ethically flawed according to common sense, including but not limited to, the prohibited AI practices under the EU’s AI Act, the fully automated decision-making defined by the EU’s GDPR, and so on.

The principles and rules that we follow to use AI

Legal & Ethical Practices: We strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and adhere to widely accepted ethical principles of science and technology.

Self-controllability: We insist on researching and developing AI technology by ourselves to ensure full-process and completely control.

Business Necessity: We only use AI when it is clearly necessary to achieve the business purposes that are reasonable and user-friendly.

Minimal adverseness: We try our best to minimize data involvement and environmental influence.

Transparency: We disclose our policies and applications to the public through various channels, and conduct user experience research regularly and productively.

Accountability: We are open to receive supervision from users and the public via email, phone, or other communication channels, with efficient internal mechanisms in place to provide timely responses and continuously improve our practices.

How we conduct AI-related business

Clearly define the business purposes (what kind of capability to develop on which/what product) and identify the responsible business owner;

Thoroughly compare and evaluate the possible ways to achieve the defined purpose from the technical perspective, including the option of device-local or cloud-supported solutions, the type of needed data and their processing, and the verification methods to ensure accuracy and security of the output results;

Widely consult with relevant professional departments to obtain non- technical input, including but not limited to the Data Protection Officer, Legal and Compliance Department; then carry out the targeted evaluation work, such as the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), scientific and technological ethical review;

Finalize the business plan based on the assessment of all relevant parties, which should especially pay attention to: Confirming the legal basis for data processing; Practicing privacy protection by implementing “Privacy by Design” and “Privacy by Default”; Building the systematic methods and measures for data security; Establishing ways to safeguard data subjects’ rights and interests;

Formulate internal management standards to appropriately limit staff activities throughout the design, development and operational management process, develop appropriate access controls, and provide sufficient training and guidance;

Carry out extensive testing and effective audits to ensure that the actual business activities are fully in line with the purpose for which they were designed, and, in particular, that they do not involve additional data processing beyond the defined scope;

Closely monitor developments and changes of the relevant factors, including self-checking the laws and regulations, understanding the impact and risks associated with the latest technologies and solutions, and assessing the need to update and improve policies and practices.

How users can manage and control AI features

For most of the AI-powered features, EZVIZ has developed flexible settings via the EZVIZ App, or offers them only when required subscription plans are agreed and activated by the user. It is always up to users’ own choice to enable or disable AI features at any time via their mobile devices for each applicable product model.

For most activity detection features, users also have the option to adjust the detection sensitivity and customize the detection areas according to their needs. In addition, EZVIZ has introduced many privacy-enhancing features such as the sleep mode, privacy shutter, and no-filming privacy zones, to help users avoid unnecessary or inappropriate detection activities and related video recording.

For more information about EZVIZ’s practices on data security and privacy protection, you can visit the EZVIZ Trust Center.

A quick guide to the AI capabilities that we offer

The list may not include all AI features EZVIZ offers as it is subject to change when the EZVIZ products and services are updated.

* Please be aware of the fact and associated risks that the AI technology explained is subject to continuous improvement, and its actual operation may result in inaccuracies. We strongly recommend that you do not rely unconditionally on the AI technology, but rather develop your own method to use it appropriately in different situations.

Currently, the AI capabilities in EZVIZ products are primarily focused on the following areas: enhancing home security, facilitating home routines, and automating preset tasks for a better user experience.

For AI-powered products launched in the global markets, the supported AI features may be provided in two ways:

Use of local AI chips: For most EZVIZ products, the AI features are typically performed by a local AI chip embedded in each specific device. The availability of these features is usually specified on product packaging, online product web pages, and other introductory materials. With the help of a local AI chip, the device uses its developed AI algorithms to complete detection, alert, or automation tasks once users choose to activate the corresponding onboard features.

Options for cloud-assisted AI features: For added protection and convenience, some product models may support expanding their onboard AI capabilities through paid services and subscriptions, which require users’ permission to connect their devices to cloud-assisted AI technology. The availability of these paid services may vary by product type, model and region/country, and may change over time depending on software updates. Details about these options are usually specified on the product page in the EZVIZ App.

The use of EZVIZ AI features does not involve collecting or processing specific data such as specific facial features, physical characteristics, verbal content, etc. The use of cloud-assisted AI features does not involve transmitting, storing or processing any original data in the cloud without users’ knowledge or permission, nor does such data remain in the cloud longer than permitted by local laws and regulations. Meanwhile, although the EZVIZ products that use these algorithms are produced by us, EZVIZ will NEVER participate in the processing of data resulting from the running of the algorithm, unless it is specifically agreed by the user and is necessary to provide the service specified by the user.

Main Category	AI Feature	Quick explanation on the involved algorithm/data
AI Features for Activity Detection Purposes	Human Shape Detection	The camera will detect human-shape-alike objects in its viewing angle, which may be a moving rectangular object within a height of 1.5 to 2 meters that is no further than 10 to 15 meters away from the camera. This does not involve the recognition, analysis or processing of any facial features or other bio-sensitive data of individual people.
	Vehicle Shape Detection	The camera will detect car-like moving objects that match general car sizes and shapes, at a distance of no further than 15 meters away from the camera. The standard vehicle shape detection feature does not involve the license plate recognition or related image processing.
	Pet Detection	The camera will detect pet-like moving objects in its viewing angle at a distance of 3 to 5 meters. Currently this feature mainly works for commonly seen cats and dogs, and is not able to recognize and identify individual animals.
	Two-Way Calling by Waving a Hand / Posing a Victory Sign (Gesture Recognition)	The camera will detect the waving hand of a person or the gesture of the victory sign in front of the camera. Once the detection happens successfully, the device will automatically initiate a video call to the user’s EZVIZ App (It may be phrased as Gesture Recognition in your EZVIZ App on different product pages, but currently this feature only detects a waving hand or a victory sign instead of any other hand gestures).
	Loud Noise Detection (Abnormal Sound Sensing)	The camera will detect sudden sound activities based on the noise level within its detection range by using the built-in microphone. (It may be phrased as Abnormal Sound Sensing in your EZVIZ App on different product pages). It does not involve processing or analysis on any specific verbal content.
	Bark & Meow Detection	Based on the regular loud noise detection algorithm, the camera will detect the sounds that have similar sound waves to dogs barking and cat meowing in the monitored environment within the audio detection range.
	Crying Detection	Based on the regular loud noise detection algorithm, the camera will detect the sounds that have similar sound waves to baby crying in the monitored environment within the audio detection range.
	Package Detection	The camera will detect objects that are similar in shape and size to commonly seen, standard delivery boxes within its detection range. It is not able to detect or read any written information on the package boxes.
	License Plate Recognition	The camera will detect license plates within its viewing angle and detection distance, and extracts visible numbers and letters from the detected image with an instant alert. This feature operates locally and is designed for private use only, such as in personal driveways or parking areas.
	Wild Animal Detection	The camera will use cloud-assisted technology that employs multimodal AI capability and advanced scene recognition to detect wildlife in real time. Currently the algorithm supports detection of up to 21 animal species (wolf, bear, lion, tiger, leopard, raccoon, elephant, crocodile, snake, deer, fox, pig, sheep, kangaroo, hippopotamus, monkey, cattle, camel, bird, horse and zebra). Users will receive instant alerts and video recordings when the above animals are detected near their property based on the customized detection range.
	Familiar Face Detection	Users can choose to upload personal face photos to their doorbells (via the EZVIZ App) to generate a set of desensitized 3D data for related face detection. By using these data, the device will detect familiar faces in the customized detection range to push targeted messages to users. This AI feature is currently only available on devices that use local AI chips for related on-device data processing. The original photos will be deleted immediately once the 3D data are generated and will not be stored.
	Special Status Detection (Developed for Elderly Care)	The camera will detect special human status that may lead to potential risks or emergencies for elderly people. Using cloud-assisted technology supported by multimodal AI capability, the camera will alert users when people accidentally fall, sit still for an excessively long period, or are absent from the preset detection zone for an extended time.
AI Features for Verification Purposes	Facial Recognition (For unlocking functions)	EZVIZ currently offers several models of smart locks and smart video doorphones that support facial recognition to enable users to open their doors or gates with fast and secure identity verification. By integrating a local high-performance AI chip and 3D structured light technology, these products generate 3D facial modeling data after the users choose to enable such function and follow the instruction to add their facial information. The entire verification and unlocking process is completed locally on the device's AI chip. No actual photos of human faces are stored or shared in any means, and all 3D modeling data are strictly protected and stored locally.
AI Features for Verification Purposes	Palm Vein Recognition(For unlocking functions)	EZVIZ currently offers several models of smart locks and smart video doorphones that support palm vein recognition to provide a keyless, secure unlocking experience. By using a local AI chip and near-infrared light, the supported products generate a set of 3D modeling data based on the vein patterns after the users choose to enable such function and follow the instruction to add their palm vein information. The entire verification and unlocking process is completed locally on the device's AI chip. No actual photos of human palms are stored or shared in any means, and all 3D modeling data are strictly protected and stored locally.
AI Features for Robotic Operation Purposes	Advanced Obstacle Avoidance	Together with the use of LDS LiDAR and structured light, the local AI chip on the robot will help detect and identify various common obstacles and objects found in its working environment during the cleaning process. When an obstacle is detected, the robot will smartly plan its moving path to avoid bumping into it or getting stuck. Some common obstacles will be displayed on the robot’s cleaning map with special icons, after user choose to enable such function.
	Carpet Detection	The robot will use the power of AI algorithms and material sensors to detect carpeted areas during the cleaning process, so as to adjust cleaning modes automatically for these areas. The carpeted areas will also be marked on the robot’s cleaning map.
	Smart Liquid Stain Detection	The robot will detect spilled liquids or stains on the floor during the cleaning process. When liquid stains are detected, the robot will automatically perform a special set of actions to remove the stains more effectively to achieve better cleaning results. This feature is disabled by default and must be manually enabled by users before use.
	AI Task Automation	The robot will automatically generate a set of optimized cleaning parameters based on different room types, so as to perform automatic cleaning missions with customized cleaning modes and enhanced cleaning efficiency. This feature is disabled by default and must be manually enabled by users before use.
	Enhanced Cleaning Performance for Large Particles	The robot will automatically reduce the sweeping speed of the side brush and auto-boost its suction power when detecting large particles, so as to provide a more tailored cleaning strategy. This feature is disabled by default and must be manually enabled by users before use.
AI Features for Video Management Purposes	Smart Video Search	For users who have subscribed to EZVIZ CloudPlay video storage plans, they can choose to add this AI feature through additional subscription options. Users can quickly filter important video clips in their cloud video library by using keywords or entering specific descriptions in the EZVIZ App. The feature is not available if the device uses only local storage methods such as microSD cards.
AI Features for Video Management Purposes	Smart Video Summary	For users who have subscribed to EZVIZ CloudPlay video storage plans, they can choose to add this AI feature through additional subscription options. Users can select a specific day or video clip in their cloud video library to obtain an automatically generated textual summary of the recorded events. The feature is not available if the device uses only local storage methods such as microSD cards.