Ugreen Pivots to Smart Home Hubs With Local AI Focus
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The company is launching a range of 'HomeAgent' hubs and SynCare cameras that process data on-device to avoid cloud subscriptions.
Ugreen, a company primarily known for its network attached storage (NAS), USB cables, and chargers, is expanding into the smart home market with a new "AIoT" product lineup. Unveiled at IFA and a launch event in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the ecosystem centers on local AI hubs designed to manage smart home devices and security footage without sending sensitive user data to the cloud.
According to reporting from The Verge and Engadget, the system is built around three hub configurations. The baseline **HomeAgent HA100** handles basic rule-based automation and object recognition. The **HomeAgent HA100 Pro** adds context-aware understanding and allows users to create automation rules using natural language. The flagship **MasterAgent MA100**, powered by an Nvidia Jetson Thor platform, is designed for the most demanding AI models and offers up to 2,070 TOPS of AI performance.
Ugreen is positioning these devices as privacy-forward alternatives to cloud-based systems like Google’s Nest or Amazon’s Ring. By processing video footage and AI tasks on-device, Ugreen claims users can avoid monthly subscription fees for storage and AI features. The hubs utilize a voice assistant named **Uliya** and support the Matter smart home standard, as well as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth, NFC, and ONVIF/RTSP.
To complement the hubs, Ugreen is launching a smart speaker and a line of **SynCare** security cameras, including the Indoor Cam ID500 Pro, the PoE Cam OD600 Pro, and the battery-powered Cam OD800 Pro. The company is also introducing an E Ink Spectra-powered digital photo frame that displays photos stored locally on the hub. As part of its launch, the company has named New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez as a global brand ambassador.
However, the cost of local privacy is significant. Engadget reports that the MasterAgent MA100 carries a retail price of $20,000. The HomeAgent HA100 is priced at $1,799, and the HA100 Pro is listed at $5,999. Early bird pricing, available via Kickstarter in October, reduces these costs to $899 for the HA100, $2,999 for the HA100 Pro, and $9,999 for the MasterAgent MA100.
While the system supports various third-party brands, product planning manager **Markus Xie** noted that the company advises using approved products. Current compatibility includes devices from Eve, SwitchBot, ThirdReality, and Aqara. Engadget noted a significant omission in the ecosystem: there is no official support for Home Assistant.
On the hardware side, the hubs function similarly to Ugreen's NAS products, requiring users to provide their own SATA hard drives for storage. The devices also feature M.2 and SD card slots. Regarding security, Markus Xie told Engadget that local data is protected by AES-256 encryption, and any remote access utilizes end-to-end encryption.