My Favorite Home Security Reveal at IFA Was AI, but Not How You Think

At IFA 2026, Reolink introduced ReoNeura, an on-device AI engine powering Custom AI Detection that lets users train cameras to recognize specific objects without cloud processing or subscription fees, a feature previously only available through Arlo's paid Custom Detection service. Reolink's new offering, which includes the Omvi 2i Ultra cameras, is notable for being the first custom AI option that costs no extra fees, according to CNET's testing.

Artificial intelligence features moved rapidly into the home security world https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/9-home-ai-tricks-ive-found-work-best-in-my-busy-life/ in the past couple of years, adding capabilities I couldn’t have imagined, like the ability to detect packages https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-video-doorbell-cameras/ at your front door or the much more controversial feature that learns and detects faces by name https://www.cnet.com/home/security/major-video-doorbell-companies-are-being-sued-for-privacy-violations-heres-why/ . But these abilities typically cost ongoing fees — at least for now. At IFA 2026 https://www.cnet.com/tech/the-weirdest-and-wackiest-tech-we-found-at-ifa-2026/ , Reolink introduced a new option https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reolink-expands-award-winning-omvi-series-with-omvi-2i-ultra-and-introduces-new-reoneura-ai-capabilities-at-ifa-2026-302869984.html I’ve never seen before, and it may not cost us anything at all. Read more : Everything We Discovered at IFA 2026 https://www.cnet.com/news-live/ifa-berlin-2026-live-the-biggest-announcements-from-samsung-lg-and-more/ Reolink’s IFA announcement included new cams https://www.cnet.com/best-security-cameras/ , including new high-res, dual-lens cameras with tracking. But those didn’t excite me dual-lens cameras aren’t worth the extra cost https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-cheap-home-security-systems/ for the average homeowner nearly as much as its ReoNeura showcase. ReoNeura is a new type of on-device AI engine https://www.cnet.com/home/security/ankers-eufy-strides-into-ifa-with-a-new-ai-ecosystem-and-devices-to-match/ . The algorithms don’t require the cloud to use, and the engine powers Custom AI Detection, which let users train the AI themselves to focus on what’s important. Let me break down what that means and why exactly I’m excited about it. What makes Reolink’s AI plans so unique? First, custom AI detection is incredibly rare in home security at this time. The only other brand I can think of that has embraced it is Arlo, with its Arlo Custom Detection https://kb.arlo.com/000063407/What-is-Arlo-Custom-Detection-and-how-do-I-set-it-up feature I tested last year https://www.cnet.com/home/security/i-tested-arlos-new-security-ai-that-lets-you-create-objects-to-recognize/ . Normal security AI is trained to identify specific things, like cars, humans, animals, packages and in some cases faces or fires. But custom AI lets users set up their own training to “teach” the camera how to recognize something specific that’s important to them. This opens up many possibilities, depending on your own plans. For example, you could train an outdoor camera https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-outdoor-home-security-cameras/ to detect whether your garage door is open or closed, or if a parked bike is present or gone. You could create a rule so the camera alerts you if the sprinklers are on or a fence gate is open. If you have a special piece of art or a safe, you could create alerts about their status, too. Basically, it puts a lot more AI power in the hands of users, which is neat. Second, this custom AI capability appears to live entirely on the camera itself and doesn’t require a cloud or a cloud subscription https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-home-security-cameras-without-subscriptions/ . If what Reolink says is correct, that would make it the only custom AI option available to homeowners that doesn’t cost any extra fees. Arlo’s custom training option needs at least an $8 subscription https://us.arlo.com/pages/arlo-secure . So not only is Reolink offering an extra-unique feature with its new ReoNeura hardware, users won’t have to pay anything extra for it, which is a one-two combo of noteworthy developments for the home security world https://www.cnet.com/home/security/the-ultimate-security-hack-7-tiny-devices-that-burglars-will-never-spot/ . These Reolink AI features should be available in the coming months, although I don’t have an exact timetable yet. I am eager to try them out ASAP, though, and I’ll let you know what I think. When AI is entirely on the device, it can be more difficult to update and more limited in its scope, which makes me curious how accurate this custom detection will be. For now, consider what you’d train a free AI to recognize around your home.