Hangzhou, China – Hikvision has announced Hik-Connect 7, an upgraded version of its cloud-based security software that introduces HIKO, an AI engine designed to simplify security monitoring, search and day-to-day management.
The update is aimed at small businesses, households and enterprise teams managing multiple connected devices, cameras and access points through a single account. Hikvision said HIKO is designed to reduce the need for manual searches and system-specific expertise by helping users retrieve information and perform tasks through natural-language interactions.
“HIKO changes that. Instead of asking people to learn how to operate the system, we built HIKO so the system understands what people need and finds the answer itself,” said Eunice Yu, Hik-Connect Product Manager at Hikvision.
“Because HIKO runs in the cloud, that shift reaches Hik-Connect’s existing Team Mode and Personal Mode users directly through a software update, with no separate HIKO hardware to buy or install,” Yu continued.
Hik-Connect 7 introduces three main AI-powered experiences: AI Guardian, AI Search and AI Assistant.
AI Guardian is designed to help users monitor activity and respond to events. Its Focus function allows users to define a known vehicle as a target, specify a time and location, and have HIKO link relevant footage across cameras, create a timeline and generate a summary.
AI Notification allows users to describe notification requirements in natural language. For example, a user could request an alert when someone falls and does not get back up, with HIKO identifying and summarising matching events.
The AI Deterrence function provides tiered responses, ranging from standard warnings to messages that identify a specific person or vehicle and describe their appearance and location.
Meanwhile, AI Summary provides an overview of people, vehicles and alerts recorded by a camera channel over the previous 24 hours, allowing managers to review activity without going through individual logs and recordings.
AI Search is intended to help users locate relevant footage and understand events. Its Video Q&A function enables users to ask questions about a scene rather than manually searching through recordings.
Fusion Search brings together video, access control and licence plate information, providing users with information from multiple security systems in a single search.
The third component, AI Assistant, is designed to support device and access management. Users can provide instructions in natural language, such as setting up visitor access for a particular vehicle, with HIKO handling the associated configuration steps.
Global rollout
Hik-Connect 7 is being rolled out globally to both Team Mode and Personal Mode users. The upgrade applies to the existing Hik-Connect app and portal, as well as devices already connected to the platform.
The update positions HIKO as a cloud-based layer across monitoring, search, investigation, deterrence and system management, with the aim of reducing manual processes involved in everyday security operations.
