YI Technology

YI Technology is a Shanghai-based camera and computer-vision company founded in 2015. In mainland China it is also known as Xiaoyi, or 小蚁. The company initially developed its market identity with backing and branding associated with Xiaomi, which led to products being marketed under the Xiaomi Yi name. YI separated from Xiaomi in October 2016 and subsequently removed the Xiaomi branding from its products, continuing as an independent YI-branded business. The company operates across several parts of the consumer imaging and connected-device market. Its product history includes compact and interchangeable-lens cameras, action cameras, 360-degree and virtual-reality cameras, home-security cameras, outdoor surveillance cameras, and automotive dash cameras. Notable products have included the YI 1080p Home Camera, YI Dome X Camera, YI Outdoor Security Camera, YI 4K Action Camera, YI Lite Action Camera, YI M1 Mirrorless Camera, YI Halo Camera, YI 360 VR Camera, YI Nightscape Dash Camera, YI Smart Dash Camera, and YI PTZ 1080p Outdoor Camera. Some earlier imaging products, including the YI Halo, YI 360 VR, and YI M1, are discontinued. YI's security-camera business became an important part of its portfolio. The company developed indoor and outdoor connected cameras intended for home monitoring, remote viewing, and automated visual awareness. In late 2018 it introduced Kami as a dedicated sub-brand for smart-home security products, launching the Kami Indoor Camera at the same time. Kami expanded the company's consumer-facing security proposition beyond the core YI name, with products including indoor and outdoor cameras. YI also pursued emerging imaging formats and partnerships. In 2018 it partnered with Google on the YI Horizon VR180, described as Google's first VR180 marketplace camera. This positioned YI within the then-developing VR180 ecosystem and complemented its earlier work in 360-degree imaging. The company has stated that its products have shipped to more than 186 countries, indicating an international distribution strategy despite its Chinese base. Recognition has included the 2017 Red Dot Award for product design and the 2018 DISTREE EMEA Smart Tech Diamond Award. These awards reflected attention to the design and smart-device aspects of YI's product portfolio. Overall, YI Technology's brand architecture combines the YI name for cameras and imaging devices with Kami for smart security, while its broader technology focus includes computer vision and connected visual hardware.

YI Technology was founded in 2015 in Shanghai, China, with a focus on cameras and computer-vision technologies. Its early market presence was closely associated with Xiaomi. Products were initially presented with Xiaomi Yi branding, giving the young company access to Xiaomi's broader consumer-electronics ecosystem and helping establish YI as a recognizable camera name. In October 2016, YI separated from Xiaomi and dropped the Xiaomi Yi branding. This transition marked a significant change in brand strategy: YI continued developing camera hardware and software but presented itself as an independent company rather than as a Xiaomi-branded camera line. The business subsequently built a broad portfolio covering consumer photography, action imaging, virtual reality, home monitoring, outdoor surveillance, and automotive recording. The company's imaging portfolio included the YI M1 mirrorless camera, YI Lite and YI 4K action cameras, the YI 360 VR and YI Halo cameras, and several dash-camera products. Some of these products were later discontinued, while security cameras became a durable part of the company's market presence. Its security range included the YI 1080p Home Camera, YI Dome X Camera, YI Outdoor Security Camera, and YI PTZ 1080p Outdoor Camera. YI also participated in the development of newer immersive-video formats. In 2018, it partnered with Google to produce the YI Horizon VR180, described as Google's first VR180 marketplace camera. The partnership connected YI's hardware capabilities with Google's VR180 platform and broadened the company's profile beyond conventional action and security cameras. On November 7, 2018, YI launched Kami, a sub-brand dedicated to smart-home security, alongside the Kami Indoor Camera. Kami provided a separate identity for connected security offerings, while YI remained associated with cameras and imaging technology more broadly. The company later offered Kami indoor and outdoor camera products. YI has pursued international distribution in addition to its Chinese market. Reference material states that the company's products have shipped to more than 186 countries. Its product and design recognition has included a 2017 Red Dot Award for product design and a 2018 DISTREE EMEA Smart Tech Diamond Award. The available reference material does not identify a founder, current executives, ownership structure, revenue figures, or a precise current corporate status beyond describing YI Technology as a camera and computer-vision company.

• 2018

  Google VR180 partnership

  [1]YI Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  YI partners with Google to produce the YI Horizon VR180 camera.

• 2018

  Kami sub-brand launches

  [1]YI Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  YI introduces the Kami smart-home security sub-brand and launches the Kami Indoor Camera.

• 2017

  Red Dot product-design recognition

  [1]YI Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  YI Technology receives a Red Dot Award for product design.

• 2016

  Separation from Xiaomi branding

  [1]YI Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  YI separates from Xiaomi and drops the Xiaomi Yi branding, beginning a more independent brand phase.

• 2015

  YI Technology is founded

  [1]YI Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  YI Technology is established in Shanghai, China, as a company focused on cameras and computer-vision technologies.

Accessible connected imaging and computer-vision technology spanning consumer cameras, home security, automotive cameras, and emerging immersive-video formats.

• Home and outdoor security cameras

  YI Home and Security Cameras

  YI's connected security range includes the YI 1080p Home Camera, YI Dome X Camera, YI Outdoor Security Camera, and YI PTZ 1080p Outdoor Camera. These products address indoor monitoring, outdoor observation, pan-tilt-zoom use cases, and remote home-security viewing.

• Action cameras

  YI Action Cameras

  The YI Lite Action Camera and YI 4K Action Camera represent the company's compact action-imaging line. They are designed for portable video capture and broaden YI's portfolio beyond fixed security and home-monitoring devices.

• Mirrorless camera

  YI M1 Mirrorless Camera

  The YI M1 was an interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera in YI Technology's consumer photography portfolio. It is identified in the reference material as discontinued.

• 360-degree and virtual-reality cameras

  YI 360 VR and YI Halo Cameras

  YI's immersive-imaging products included the YI 360 VR Camera and YI Halo Camera. Both are listed as discontinued, while the company's later VR activity included the Google-linked YI Horizon VR180.

• VR180 camera · 2018

  YI Horizon VR180

  The YI Horizon VR180 was developed through a 2018 partnership with Google for the VR180 marketplace and represented YI's participation in immersive video and virtual-reality camera formats.

• Automotive cameras

  YI Dash Cameras

  The YI Nightscape Dash Camera and YI Smart Dash Camera extend the company's camera expertise into automotive recording, including driving-video and vehicle-monitoring applications.

• Smart-home security cameras · 2018

  Kami Indoor and Outdoor Cameras

  Kami is YI Technology's smart-home security sub-brand, launched in 2018. Its portfolio includes indoor and outdoor cameras, giving the company a distinct identity for connected home-monitoring products.

• 2020

  MIIT Orders Xiaoyi Camera App to Rectify Forced Targeted Push and Other Issues Within Deadline

  The MIIT notified that the Xiaoyi Camera App had problems including illegally collecting personal information and forcing users to use targeted push functions, and required rectification within a deadline; earlier, in 2017, CCTV exposed home cameras being hacked for voyeurism, and Xiaoyi responded that its products had no public ports or preset weak passwords. Progress: regulatory notice. Entity involved: Shanghai Xiaoyi Technology Co., Ltd. Scope: camera app users.

  Source

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• 2018

  Create the Kami smart-home security sub-brandStrategy

  Background

  YI had developed a substantial range of indoor and outdoor security cameras and sought a distinct identity for smart-home security products.

  Action taken

  On November 7, 2018, YI launched Kami together with the Kami Indoor Camera.

  Aftermath

  Kami became the designated sub-brand for YI's smart-home security offerings, including indoor and outdoor cameras.

  Source

• 2016

  Adopt an independent YI brand identityStrategy

  Background

  YI Technology had originally been backed and branded by Xiaomi, with products marketed using Xiaomi Yi branding.

  Action taken

  In October 2016, the company separated from Xiaomi and dropped the Xiaomi branding from its products.

  Aftermath

  YI continued developing and marketing cameras under its own name, while the available reference material does not provide financial or ownership outcomes from the change.

  Source

1. 1YI Technologyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2MIIT Orders Xiaoyi Camera App to Rectify Forced Targeted Push and Other Issues Within Deadlineryxmt.com.cn
3. 3MIIT Orders Xiaoyi Camera App to Rectify Forced Targeted Push and Other Issues Within Deadlinexitongzhijia.net