Get to know Axon Lightpost
Axon Lightpost is a fixed, infrastructure-mounted intelligent ALPR camera designed to transform existing streetlights and outdoor infrastructure into real-time vehicle intelligence tools. Lightpost delivers automated license plate recognition (ALPR), vehicle attribute recognition (VAR), and livestreaming video seamlessly into the Axon public safety ecosystem with minimal physical footprint.
Built in collaboration with Ubicquia, Axon Lightpost installs quickly on existing light poles without trenching or new pole infrastructure, dramatically reducing deployment complexity and cost.
Once powered and network-connected, Axon Lightpost begins autonomous operation with no daily user interaction, providing continuous detection and secure data upload to Axon Evidenceand Axon Fusus.
Components
Ubicquia Hub (Power and Network Platform)
Axon Lightpost uses the Ubicquia Hub as a physical integration and connectivity platform for existing streetlight infrastructure. The Hub provides mechanical attachment, electrical power access (including standard streetlight interfaces such as NEMA 7-pin photocell connections), and cellular network connectivity using Ubicquia’s built-in LTE network.
Axon Lightpost doesn't use any Ubicquia analytics or smart infrastructure intelligence. The Ubicquia Hub enables faster installation on existing poles, eliminates the need for trenching or new power runs, and reduces field labor by consolidating power and network access into a single streetlight-mounted platform.
Axis Q1800 ALPR Camera Module
Axon Lightpost uses an Axis Q1800-LE-based license plate camera engineered for high-accuracy captures in real traffic conditions:
- High-speed plate capture up to ~155 mph and up to ~328 ft (100 m) range in daylight.
- 1080p resolution with wide dynamic range and electronic image stabilization for consistent clarity in varied lighting and vibration conditions.
- Robust outdoor construction with IP66 and IK10-rated housing.
This camera form factor ensures reliable vehicle capture across lanes and distances typical of streetlight-mounted deployments.
Power
Axon Lightpost is designed to receive power from fixed municipal infrastructure through the streetlight installation. Power is delivered via the Ubicquia Hub, which interfaces with existing streetlight power sources, including standard streetlight connections such as NEMA photocell interfaces where applicable.
Axon Lightpost powers on automatically when power is present and resumes normal operation after power interruptions without requiring user intervention. There are no external power buttons or on-device controls.
Communication module
Axon Lightpost uses cellular connectivity provided by the Ubicquia Hub to communicate with the Axon ecosystem. The Hub supplies LTE network access, enabling Lightpost to securely transmit license plate detections, vehicle metadata, livestream video, and device health telemetry.
Network connectivity is managed automatically and doesn't require manual configuration during normal operation. LTE connectivity enables continuous data transmission without reliance on municipal networks or on-site network infrastructure.
Environmental design
Weather resistance
Axon Lightpost is designed to operate reliably in outdoor environments commonly associated with streetlight and municipal pole installations. The Axis Q1800 camera platform is purpose-built for outdoor roadside deployments and is housed in a weather-resistant enclosure suitable for exposure to dust, precipitation, and wind.
The Ubicquia Hub and associated connectivity components are also designed for outdoor infrastructure use and are installed in weather-resistant enclosures appropriate for permanent streetlight-mounted deployments.
Together, these components support continuous operation in urban, roadside, and right-of-way environments without the need for additional environmental protection.
Operating temperature
Axon Lightpostis designed for continuous, year-round operation across a wide range of ambient temperatures typically encountered in municipal and transportation infrastructure deployments. Thermal behavior is managed automatically by the camera and supporting hardware to maintain stable operation in both hot and cold climates.
Specific operating temperature limits are defined by the underlying camera and infrastructure components and are documented in their respective hardware specifications.
Low-light and night operation
Axon Lightpost is optimized for continuous operation, including nighttime and low-light conditions. The Axis Q1800 camera is designed for long-range vehicle capture in challenging lighting scenarios, supporting consistent license plate recognition performance across varying ambient light levels, headlight glare, and nighttime roadway conditions.
Low-light performance is focused on maintaining plate capture accuracy rather than general scene illumination or wide-area visibility.
System overview
Autonomous operation
Once installed and powered through the streetlight infrastructure, an Axon Lightpost that has been set up and provisioned will automatically::
- Power on and begin system operation
- Establish and manage cellular connectivity through the Ubicquia Hub
- Perform continuous license plate recognition and vehicle attribute analysis
- Upload detections and telemetry to the Axon ecosystem
- Become available for livestream sessions through Axon Fusus and Axon Evidence
All normal operation occurs without requiring any manual steps or physical interaction after installation.
Secure communication
All license plate detections, vehicle metadata, livestream video, and device health information are transmitted using encrypted communication protocols over the cellular network provided by the Ubicquia Hub. Secure communication is managed automatically and does not require user configuration during normal operation.
Remote management
Axon Lightpost is managed remotely through Axon and Ubicquia systems. Authorized users can view device status, connectivity, configuration, firmware versions, and health metrics through Axon Evidence and Axon Fusus. Axon Lightpost does not require on-device controls or physical interaction during normal operation, enabling centralized management of large, distributed deployments.
