Axon Announces New Body Camera with Real-Time Communications Features

Axon has introduced its next generation body-worn camera, the Axon Body 4 , which offers a variety of upgrades over the popular Body 3.

Key upgrades include:

·        Expanded Communications Ability: Axon Body 4 features bi-directional communications between officers and their support teams, by enabling multiple viewers who have access to the livestream to communicate in real-time to the camera wearer. A new Watch Me button allows officers to signal for additional support, with location and critical alerts displayed on Axon Respond.

·         More Points Of View: Axon Body 4 offers the option for wearers to connect an additional point-of-view (POV) camera module. This camera can attach to an officer's head or shoulder, used handheld or affixed to the brim of a hat or sunglasses to allow for alternative perspectives that more closely mirror the officer’s own point of view.

·         Upgraded camera features: Sharper images, improved visibility, a larger field of view and better camera capabilities enable the wearer to capture more of every moment.

• More streamlined operations: Axon Body 4 improves the officer user experience as well as enables agency administrators to more easily manage their body camera programs.

“Axon Body 4’s advanced features are a giant leap forward for handling an incident safely in real-time,” said Rick Smith, founder and CEO of Axon. “Axon Body 4 provides far more than just a camera. It has the ability to be a communications beacon. We believe Axon Body 4 will be a powerful tool in public safety and security that can unlock new levels of transparency, flexibility, increased situational awareness and real-time support. This device sits at the core of equipping agencies so they never miss a moment.”

Ensuring that critical moments are always captured is an important component of Axon’s moonshot goal to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public by 50% in the next decade. Axon has led the way in body camera innovation since 2008, providing customers with the latest technology to increase officer and community safety. Axon Body 4 was specifically built for the unique needs of public safety and security, empowering users to capture and preserve footage and data exactly as situations unfold, the company says.

More than just a camera, Axon Body 4 can eliminate barriers of communication In situations where public safety is at risk, real-time visibility into unfolding events and timely support are crucial. Livestreaming has been a tactical advantage in these instances, providing additional eyes on scene. However, communication to officers from supervisors and dispatchers has historically been over the radio, and out of sync with the video and audio of the livestream.

Axon Body 4 allows public safety professionals and their support teams to communicate with one another in real-time, combining seamless video livestreaming with new bi-directional audio. This capability is immensely helpful when additional assistance is needed from dispatchers, supervisors, translators, mental health experts or anyone who can offer aid in a unique situation. Support teams off scene can watch the livestream and communicate directly through the officer’s Axon Body 4, providing real-time support to the officer, while preserving radio bandwidth for other demands.

A new Watch Me button on Axon Body 4 allows officers to signal for an additional set of eyes to watch their backs when responding to calls. When an officer presses this button, Axon Respond users instantly receive a notification so they can immediately support the officer. This enables supervisors and dispatchers to prioritize which officers can most benefit from additional support.

Similar to Axon Body 3, Axon Body 4 location can be shown on the Axon Respond map in real-time, and cameras can be configured to start recording automatically when an officer is assigned to or approaches the location of a high priority call for service. Critical alerts, such as the unholstering of a firearm, the arming of a TASER device and more can be configured to communicate via the body camera and display in Axon Respond. This further ensures that agencies never miss a critical moment.

Enhanced features provide fundamental improvements for ease of use Axon Body 4 has a larger field of view of 160 degrees, or an 18% optional view increase from prior models, getting the camera closer to capturing everything the human eye can. It also includes a stronger 5 MP sensor enabling sharper detail and higher-resolution footage. These upgrades can help capture more of the situation with better quality.

Camera wearers no longer need to decide on using chest mounted cameras or flexible POV modules, as the Axon Body 4 has the option to add on a quick connecting POV camera with the Flex POV module. This provides viewing at multiple angles, including on tactical eyewear to view at sight level or on a lapel for an additional angle. The POV module can also capture unique perspectives in hand for viewing around corners or underneath vehicles and can livestream to Axon Respond. It’s added with a quick snap onto the Axon Body 4, is IP67 rated waterproof, smaller, lighter and more durable than previous Axon Flex models and does not require charging.

Axon Body 4 provides improved battery life over the Body 3, providing a 13-plus-hour runtime that makes it reliable for a full-shift, without compromise, even with real-time services running. Axon Body 4 also provides rapid charge capabilities with magnetic quick-disconnect. The device is able to add over 20% battery charge in under 30 minutes, making it simpler for the user to recharge in the car while on duty.

With upgraded basic functions to enhance user experience, Axon Body 4 has a simplified camera registration process, programmable buttons and the ability to provide reminders and confirmations to improve awareness of when the device is activated. Axon Body 4 also provides more precise time tracking, GPS location accuracy and has double the storage capacity compared to prior models, making it even more capable of capturing high-quality videos and images with faster processing. This improves the user experience for both the camera wearer and administration.

Axon Body 4 is currently being trialed by several agencies in the U.S. and will be available for customers to begin purchasing by the second half of 2023, with shipments beginning shortly after.