Recently, Axon hosted a webinar to announce the launch of its latest product - Axon Body 4 (AB4). During the session, we received an overwhelming response from the attendees, who asked many intriguing questions about the new product. In this blog post, we'll cover some of the most impactful questions and their answers we gathered during the event.

Let’s take a look at the three major categories of questions we received and the top questions in each.

Category 1: Axon Body 4

The first set of questions were related to the camera's features. Attendees wanted to know about the battery life, compatibility with existing products, and the aspect ratio.

Regarding the battery life, we stated that the target is to have 14 hours of runtime at launch without POV connected. This 14-hour runtime assumes 720p recording, 10 hours of buffering, 3.5 hours of recording, and 0.5 hours of livestreaming. With the POV attached, we're targeting 13 hours of runtime.

As for compatibility with existing products, AB4 is compatible with the existing AB3 charging cables. However, a new docking station will be required for AB4.

Regarding the aspect ratio, we discussed that both the 4:3 and 16:9 aspects show more field of view than the AB3. The 4:3 aspect ratio has slightly reduced horizontal field of view but provides a lot more vertical field of view. Agencies may still choose 16:9 because most modern screens currently use that aspect ratio, and videos recorded in that format would occupy the entire screen.

Category 2: Flex POV Module

The second set of questions were about the Flex POV module, which is an add-on accessory that quickly attaches to AB4 to allow for recording from different perspectives. Attendees asked about the compatibility of the Flex POV module with Flex 2 mounts, whether videos captured with AB4 and POV module appear together in Evidence.com, and the timeframe between the end of POV video and activation of the BWC camera, should the Flex POV module be disconnected.

We answered that four of the Flex 2 mounts will work without any changes, and eventually, all the mount types on Flex 2 will be available for use with the new Flex POV module. The videos captured with AB4 and the POV module will appear separately in Evidence.com. Finally, there will be a 5-6 second delay between the end of the POV video and the activation of the BWC should the module be disconnected.

Category 3: Bi-directional Communications

The third and final set of questions were about bi-directional communications, a new feature in AB4 when used in concert with Axon Respond. Attendees asked about its potential use cases, whether it can replace the radio, and if it can be used without a livestream.

Regarding the potential use cases, we provided several examples, such as remote mental health support, requests for translation on the scene, and providing in-the-field team members with coaching and support remotely. However, we clarified that bi-directional communications would not replace the radio, as it is primarily designed to work alongside it. The feature is intended for scenarios where an officer may want support from someone who typically wouldn't have access to the agency's radio, such as a translator or a mental health specialist. Finally, bi-directional communications can only be used during a livestream.

The Axon Body 4 launch webinar provided valuable insights into the capabilities of the AB4 camera, the Flex POV module, and bi-directional communications. If you missed the webinar, don't worry - you can still watch the recording on demand here. And if you're interested in learning more about the AB4, make sure to visit the product web page and please reach out to your Axon representative who can answer any outstanding questions you might have.

Additionally, we would like to invite you to register to attend the Axon Voyager roadshow, which is coming to a town near you soon. This will be an opportunity to get hands-on time with the Axon Body 4 and learn more about its capabilities. We hope to see you there!