A compact, matte-black mini-PC that runs everything locally — video analysis, sensor reasoning, and threat detection — without a single cloud request.
The Brain Box is an Intel N100 mini-PC with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a Zigbee/Z-Wave USB controller. Small enough to hide in a utility closet. Powerful enough to process 8 camera streams in real time.
Efficient enough to run 24/7 on ~10W of power — less than a light bulb. Handles real-time video + LLM inference simultaneously.
Plenty of headroom for Frigate NVR, Home Assistant, and the local language model — running at the same time, all the time.
CyberPower UPS keeps your system running during outages — exactly when a security system needs to work most.
No vendor lock-in. The hardware is yours. The software is open source. If you want to take it and run it yourself, you can.
We don't build proprietary black boxes. Everything on the Brain Box is open-source software you can inspect, audit, and control.
Real-time object detection on every camera stream. Detects people, vehicles, and animals with hardware acceleration. Recordings stay on your local SSD.
Manages all your sensors, automations, and device states. Integrates Zigbee, Z-Wave, WiFi, and wired sensors into a single platform.
Microsoft's Phi-3 Mini language model runs locally to reason about events in plain English. Context-aware threat assessment at 1–2 seconds per inference.
Existing cameras or sensors? Chances are they'll work. We support the major open standards.
Any camera supporting the ONVIF protocol works — Reolink, Hikvision, Dahua, Amcrest, and most other brands. We'll test your existing cameras at the consultation.
Door/window sensors, motion detectors, smoke alarms, leak sensors, glass break detectors — virtually any Zigbee or Z-Wave device is supported out of the box.
Smart locks, video doorbells, smart lights, and other WiFi devices can be integrated via Home Assistant's extensive library of integrations (3000+ devices).
Smart sensor selection turns your Brain Box from a video recorder into an intelligent threat detection system.
These are the sensor types we recommend for self-installation. Mix and match based on your home layout and security priorities.
Why we use them: First line of defense. Instantly alerts you when doors or windows open at unusual times.
What they track: Entry/exit points, unusual hours, forced entry attempts.
Smart integration: Combine with motion sensors for room-level awareness. Trigger lights or locks automatically.
Recommendation: Zigbee contact sensors (Aqara, Tuya, or Sonoff) — ~$15–25 per sensor, 2-year battery life.
Why we use them: Detects movement in rooms, hallways, and basements — even when cameras miss blind spots.
What they track: Room occupancy, unusual activity at night, intrusions in basements or attics.
Smart integration: AI combines motion + door sensors + camera footage to distinguish between family members and strangers.
Recommendation: Zigbee motion + light sensors (Aqara, Sonoff, IKEA TRADFRI) — ~$20–35 per sensor.
Why we use them: Early warning for water damage — the #1 home insurance claim. Detects leaks before walls are damaged.
What they track: Burst pipes, toilet overflow, AC condensation, water heater failures, foundation leaks.
Smart integration: Sends immediate alert. Can trigger automatic water shutoff (with compatible valve).
Recommendation: Zigbee water sensors (Aqara, Eve) — ~$25–40 per sensor. Place under sinks, near HVAC, basement corners.
Why we use them: Life safety. Sends emergency alerts to your phone and optional monitoring service.
What they track: Smoke, carbon monoxide levels, dangerous temperature spikes.
Smart integration: Integrates with Home Assistant for centralized alerts. Works alongside traditional hardwired alarms.
Recommendation: Zigbee + WiFi smoke/CO detectors (Eve Smoke, Eve CO) — ~$80–120 per unit. Keep traditional hardwired units as backup.
Why we use them: Detects anomalies that indicate theft, malfunction, or someone using appliances while away.
What they track: Circuit-level power draw, HVAC operation, water heater anomalies, phantom loads, EV charging schedules.
Smart integration: AI learns your normal patterns and alerts on deviations. Useful for detecting if someone turned on the stove or AC.
Recommendation: Zigbee smart plugs (Sonoff, Tuya) on key circuits, or whole-home monitor (Sense, Emporia Vue) — ~$15–250 depending on granularity.
Why: Best price-to-feature ratio. ONVIF support, local recording, no cloud required, great warranty.
Why: Professional-grade, excellent for larger systems. More expensive than Reolink but very reliable.
Why: Budget-friendly, good integration support. Slightly lower build quality than Reolink but ~30% cheaper.
Why: Professional security systems. More expensive than Reolink. Excellent if you want a mixed setup (some Dahua, some Reolink).
| Your Situation | Recommendation | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious, 2–3 cameras | 2–3x Reolink RLC-410 | $150–210 |
| Standard home, 4–6 cameras | Mix: Reolink RLC-820A + RLC-410 | $400–650 |
| Large home, 8+ cameras, premium quality | Reolink 810A + mix of 820A/1210A | $900–1,500 |
| Enterprise setup, want best support | Hikvision or Dahua professional line | $1,200–2,500 |
Book a free consultation and we'll confirm your devices are compatible before you commit to anything.