Frequently Asked Questions

AI Studio is eSmart Systems' computer vision AI platform. It lets you build, test, and deploy custom visual AI models — and chain them into multi-step inspection pipelines — without any machine learning expertise. It's accessible via a web interface at ai.esmartsystems.com and via API.

The current release is a Research Preview — a fully functional early version of the platform, made available so that users can explore and test capabilities while we continue to refine and expand the product. You may encounter new or changed features or changes to user experience with each visit, and we welcome your feedback.

You can register at ai.esmartsystems.com using SSO via your Microsoft or Google-hosted email account. The Free tier requires no payment.

Check out our demo video on the About Adaptive AI page.

The Free tier gives you access to the Model Builder to create and test Adaptive AI models and Pipeline Builder, to create and test AI model pipelines — both with limited usage.

The Enterprise tier unlocks full platform access, including the Model Garden with eSmart Systems' pre-built model suite and unlimited usage limits, and API access.

See the Pricing page for current tier details.

The Model Builder lets you create custom AI classifiers using Adaptive AI — eSmart Systems' patent-pending Adaptive AI technology. You provide a small number of example images per class, and the system generates a working model without any model training, labeling tools, or GPU infrastructure.

You need a minimum of around 5 example images per class for reliable results. More examples generally improve accuracy.

Currently the Model Builder supports multi-class classifiers and binary search model types, with either an accurate or a fast mode option.

1. Go to Model Builder in the top navigation.
2. Select My Models and click to create a new model.
3. Select what model type you want to build.
4. Choose Accurate or Fast mode and generate your model.
5. Define your classes and upload example images for each.
6. Test it immediately in the Model Tester.

Fast models are best for less complex problems where inference speed and iteration in development are more important than performance.

Accurate models utilize our most complex algorithms, which makes them suitable for more complex tasks.

Yes. Adaptive AI supports real-time tuning — you can add new examples or adjust class definitions without retraining from scratch. Just open the model in the Model Builder and add more class examples. Press Save and the model has been tuned. That's it.

Models you create are visible under My Models. Once you save your model, it is automatically shared with your team Model Garden as well.

The Model Garden is the library where your AI models and pipelines are hosted. Once you have created a model or a pipeline, they will be available for inference/operation in the Model Garden. The Model Garden also exposes the APIs for your models and pipelines.

For relevant enterprise customers, the Model Garden will also be pre-populated with production-ready AI models — detectors, classifiers, and pre-built pipelines. This includes eSmart Systems' own models trained on utility infrastructure (transmission, distribution, substations) as well as general-purpose models and any models your team has created and shared.

The Model Garden includes:

• Adaptive models created by you and your team.
• General models — including Face Detector, General Object Detector, License Plate Detector.
• Overhead Line models — including Component Detector, Mast Detector, Insulator classifiers, Pole Material Classifier, Vibration Damper Detector, and more.

You can filter by type (Detectors, Classifiers, Adaptive), model creator (team, personal) and use case.

In the Model Garden, use the Team filter to see models created and shared by others in your organization. These are available to use in the Model Tester and Pipeline Builder.

Yes. Click Test Model (or Test Pipeline for pipeline entries) on any model card to open it directly in the Model Tester.

Yes. Model Garden supports BYOM (Bring Your Own Model). By default Model Garden supports models based on the YOLO framework but more frameworks will be supported.

The Pipeline Builder lets you compose multi-step visual AI workflows by chaining models together — for example: detect a component → classify its condition → measure a value. Pipelines are built using a visual drag-and-drop editor and can be deployed as API endpoints.

1. Go to Pipelines in the top navigation.
2. Click New to start a blank pipeline.
3. Drag models from the left panel onto the canvas, starting from the START node.
4. Connect nodes in sequence to define the workflow.
5. Use the Inspector panel to review each node's properties.
6. Click Run (top right) and drop a test image to validate the pipeline.
7. Save the pipeline when ready.

Yes. The left panel in the Pipeline Builder shows all available models — including eSmart Systems' pre-built models and any Adaptive models created by you or your team.

Note: eSmart Systems' models are not available as part of the Free tier.

Once you are ready to deploy a pipeline, open the pipeline in the Model Garden, which will open the pipeline in the Model Tester. Here you can open the API Access drop down and get the details for the API endpoint, content type, and body — with an example to copy.

Note: you need to create an API key prior for access to API call.

You can access AI Studio API documentation here, and MCP Integration documentation here.

Yes. Use the Load button in the Pipeline toolbar to load a saved pipeline.

The Model Tester is a testing environment where you can run individual models or full pipelines against images — either uploaded from your local machine or drawn from a saved Dataset. Results are displayed in real time.

1. Go to Model Tester in the top navigation.
2. Select a model from the Choose a model dropdown.
3. Upload images using Local data (drag and drop or click to browse) or select a Dataset.
4. Click Run Batch to process the images.
5. View and sort results in the Results panel. Use Export to download results.

Yes. The model selector includes pipelines as well as individual models. Select a pipeline from the dropdown to test it end-to-end.

Once you are ready to deploy, open the model or pipeline in the Model Garden, which will open it in the Model Tester. Here you can open the API Access drop down and get the details for the API endpoint, content type, and body — with an example to copy.

Note: you need to create an API key prior for access to API call.

A Dataset is a saved, reusable collection of images. Datasets can be used as input when testing models in the Model Tester, and as training/example data when building Adaptive AI models.

1. Go to Datasets in the top navigation.
2. Under My Datasets, click + New Dataset.
3. Name your dataset and provide a description (optional) and press Create.
4. Select Add Images on top of the screen and either:
   • Upload from Computer — Select the images you want to upload.
   • Import from Cloud Storage — Select Connection String or SAS URL and add your information. AI Studio supports Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage and Amazon S3.
5. Your dataset is now created.

Yes. Toggle to the Team Datasets in the Datasets section to see collections shared across your organization. These can be used directly in the Model Tester or Model Builder. You are able to edit Team datasets, including naming, add/remove images, and give the dataset a description.

Uploaded content is screened using Microsoft Azure AI Content Safety. Inappropriate or harmful imagery is blocked. All users must comply with eSmart Systems' Terms of Use Agreement, which is updated from time to time. Accounts found to be in violation will be suspended.

Yes. Every model and pipeline in AI Studio exposes an API endpoint, allowing you to integrate AI Studio capabilities into your own applications, workflows, or automation pipelines.

1. Click your account name (top right) to access account settings.
2. Navigate to API Keys.
3. Click + Create Key and follow the prompts.
4. Copy and store your key securely — it will not be shown again.

You can access AI Studio API documentation here, and MCP Integration documentation here.

API calls are handled the same way as the use of AI Studio via the website, in that all count towards the consumption of Vision Transactions (VTs). More information on pricing and plans available on the pricing page.

When you're part of an organization on AI Studio, you can view and use models, pipelines, and datasets that your teammates have shared under the Team tabs in Model Builder, Model Garden, and Datasets.

Whenever you create and save a model, pipeline or dataset, this is automatically added to your Team tabs as well.

In the initial Research Preview this is not supported but it will be added in a near term update.

Submit a request via our Contact Us page and a member of our team will be in touch. To compare plans, visit our Pricing page.

You can review the terms of use of AI Studio at ai.esmartsystems.com/terms. If you are an Enterprise customer, your negotiated license terms will apply — check with your eSmart Systems account executive if you have any questions.

For any queries, feedback or support, visit the Contact Us page.

If you are an existing eSmart Systems' Grid Vision customer, continue to use the support portal and email support at:

• Support Portal: customer-portal.hubspot.esmartsystems.com
• Email: support@esmartsystems.com