The Axis new body worn solution is tested in the labs and the field to ensure reliability and robustness and the design, with an open architecture for seamless integration with existing software, makes the solution the world’s most flexible.
Based on needs addressed by customers within the law enforcement and private security field, Axis body worn solution provides a new way for making the world a safer, smarter and more secure place. To put a camera on the torso of a police officer, a security guard or a train attendant creates a more secure workplace, better possibilities for collecting evidence and can provide input for developing better work methods or trainings. The possibilities and use cases are endless.
Ultimate flexibility through open architecture
For adventurers or explorers like James Cook, Neil Armstrong and even Lara Croft, research and preparation before a new mission make sure they can use their strengths in the best way when entering new environments. It’s the same philosophy Axis follows in developing new products, and it has done so in expanding its surveillance portfolio into the body worn camera market. The body worn solution reflects the high-quality found in all Axis products. Just as many other Axis solutions are based on an open architecture, this solution allows for integration with existing software. This ensures that current customer investments aren’t wasted.
Fredrik Andersson, Global Product Manager, says: “One of the system’s strongest features is its open architecture, which allows customers to integrate the body worn cameras with existing Video Management Systems (VMS) or Evidence Management Systems (EMS). The Axis body worn solution can be used with a third-party VMS and EMS, on-premise or in the cloud, allowing for integration with other video surveillance data. It can also be delivered as an end-to-end solution, using AXIS Camera Station, the company’s own VMS.
The “Swiss Army knife” of cameras
With decades of experience in developing security cameras, suited for various challenging environments, Axis knows how to tackle conditions like poor light conditions and make robust cameras that can withstand knocks and harsh surroundings, while still delivering high-quality images. And this knowledge is condensed in all parts of the new body worn camera.
The system consists of three main hardware components: the cameras, the camera docking station, and the system controller. The docking stations can be placed safely on the premises and the system controller sends the footage to the destination of choice for analysis and storage. While the cameras store the video when used in the field, the system controller also deletes the files automatically from the cameras, so the device is immediately ready for use again.
Axis was looking for the ‘Swiss Army knife’ of cameras: it needed to develop a small, lightweight device, with good battery power without losing any image quality or robustness, while also allowing easy on-camera operation. It was a completely new design format for Axis.
Lina He, Product Specialist, says: “Given law enforcement operators and security guards are walking – and even running – around with the camera, the Axis-team made sure the devices provide clear images in changing situations. The camera captures video up to 1080p @30fps and includes features like wide dynamic range technology (WDR). It ensures the image remains visible and in high-quality even if the person wearing the camera is exposed to very challenging light conditions.
As it’s included in most of our products, we have also used software that helps to lower any noise and improve the signal, because ultimately, the footage will have to serve as evidence in the courtroom. For the audio, we used dual microphones to improve the quality of speech and reduce noise. Since officers can’t disrupt their work to charge the device, the cameras have an operating time of around 12 hours of footage in full HD resolution and can be configured to operate for up to 17 hours – so longer than the length of an average shift. We used compression technology, Axis Zipstream for body worn, to reduce the demand for storage and bandwidth. The cameras also have an internal storage of 64GB, which again is enough to cover a full shift in full HD resolution.”
Quality promise put to the test – in the lab
Quality has always been a main part of the Axis philosophy – be it in the product itself or in its usability. To maintain standards for its body worn cameras and to fulfil the usability requirements, Axis put the new cameras to the test in the lab, imitating the potentially rough conditions to which the cameras will be exposed, such as dropping the cameras hundreds of times to ensure robustness and functionality. The cameras also have to pass tests for weather-proofing, button durability, chemical resistance and many other factors and conditions they might have to withstand.
This is one of the reasons why Axis is confident to give its body worn cameras a three-year warranty, an above average length of time for these kinds of cameras. Furthermore, customers can rely on a broad network of partners for high-quality support.
Encryption and watermarks: Double security for people and footage
As with every device in the company’s portfolio, Axis has ensured the highest level of security for the solution itself. Ultimately, the footage of body worn cameras might be needed in court, offering unbiased evidence of the incident and actions of all the parties involved.
Fredrik adds: “All data is encrypted both at rest and in transfer using AES256 and TLS. In addition, video data can be fully end-to-end encrypted with specific integrations.”
The mobile app accompanying the solution allows users to review the footage, which is then watermarked and includes a camera and user ID. In addition, the process of transferring the video material off the camera and onto a server is fully automated, which means no human interaction is needed and, therefore, no video section can be taken out of the footage during the process. Moreover, all cameras are registered to one ‘home’ system, which is the only system they are programmed to transfer their material to.
All these safety measurements ensure that it can be proven that not a single frame has been tampered with. It also keeps the solution safe from cyber disruptions.
