SwitchBot unveiled the magical AI Hub box that automatically knows what's happening at home

At IFA 2025, SwitchBot introduced the AI Hub, the first smart home central unit to utilize VLM (Visual Language Model) technology. This new device can analyze camera footage directly on the device and convert captured situations into text descriptions, which then serve as triggers for automations. The new product represents the fourth generation of SwitchBot’s central unit and brings a number of improvements over the Hub 3 model from this past May.

Visual Event Recognition Using AI

At the heart of the AI Hub is a 6T AI chip, which processes video locally without the need to send data to the cloud. The device works with Pan/Tilt Cam Plus 2K/3K cameras and the Smart Video Doorbell. The system recognizes people, pets, vehicles, and furniture, and can interpret complex situations.

SwitchBot demonstrates its capabilities with an example where AI identifies a person reading a book in the dark. Based on this detection, it then automatically turns on the lights in the room. The system also offers text-based search in video recordings – simply enter a query like “Show me when I left my phone” and the hub will find relevant footage.

Significant Improvements Over Hub 3

The new AI Hub brings a significant hardware upgrade compared to the previous generation. While Hub 3 offered only basic connectivity, the new model features dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), extended Bluetooth range, and most importantly, 32GB of internal storage. This can be expanded up to 1TB via the USB-C port for storing video recordings. Thus, there will be no need to pay for cloud storage.

The Hub can simultaneously manage up to 8 cameras in 2K resolution and supports streaming via the RTSP protocol. The device can connect over 100 SwitchBot products and, thanks to Matter Over Bridge support, can link up to 30 Bluetooth devices with the Matter ecosystem. Another new feature is the option to connect a monitor for direct viewing of camera footage.

Practical Use in Everyday Life

The AI Hub brings the feature of daily event summaries to the SwitchBot app. Users no longer have to sift through hours of recordings but receive an overview of important moments throughout the day in text form. Advanced VLM functions, which require cloud processing and a subscription, can, for example, recognize an elderly person falling and immediately trigger emergency protocols.

Local AI processing ensures privacy protection, as sensitive home recordings do not leave the device. Only when advanced VLM functions are used are data sent to the cloud for analysis.

Availability and Price

SwitchBot has not yet announced the exact launch date or price of the AI Hub. Given its advanced features and better hardware, a higher price than the standard Hub 3, which launched with a price of around 3,200 CZK, can be expected.

What do you think of SwitchBot’s AI Hub concept?