The iQ is a new artificially intelligent dash camera from NextBase. The smart device combines AI-powered technologies with 4G technology to provide “more than real-time” crash detection to automobiles and owners.
The iQ constantly monitors the vehicle, identifying break-in attempts, driving mishaps, and more. According to NextBase, expanding the role of a dash camera will have ramifications for safety, insurance claims, and real-time access.
“It allows users to anticipate, prevent, and defend against incidents both on the road and while parked,” said Dustin Alred, NextBase’s head of North American operations. “Our surveys have shown that consumers are concerned not just with on-road incidents, but also with break-ins and theft.”
“Insurance companies in Europe have general guidelines for dash camera footage and placement in order to gain rewards for using them,” said NextBase Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Richard Browning. “However, there is no standard for that in the United States, and most insurance companies do not provide discounts for having a dash camera.” We’ve discovered that most insurance agents and lawyers are looking for data. Not just pictures.”
“That data can mean the difference in determining fault in court or during negotiations.” Our iQ camera is meant to collect data from 20 minutes before to 20 minutes after an occurrence, including vehicle speed, up to three camera views [front, rear, and in-cabin], and more.”
The NextBase iQ’s main component is a forward-facing in-cabin camera that attaches to the windscreen just behind and slightly below the rearview mirror. The iQ is designed to be permanently wired and can be connected by a fuse jumper or the vehicle’s OBD port. Both choices are available. Another camera that connects wirelessly to the main device can be put in the back window.
The NextBase iQ records in 1080p, 2K, 3K, or 4K resolution when the vehicle is in motion, depending on the camera purchased. It continuously records from all linked cameras in a loop. When an incident happens, the camera hard-saves the past 20 minutes of activity as well as an additional 10 minutes forward. This contains data other than the video collected, such as GPS-based vehicle speed detection, GPS positions, and so on. Similarly, activating Witness Mode in the car or via the NextBase app will accomplish the same thing.
If the driver appears unresponsive or fails to reply to camera instructions, the iQ will enter Emergency SOS mode and communicate incident location information to emergency personnel over the cellular network. When an incident occurs on the road, the NextBase iQ may promptly notify any emergency contacts listed. It can also communicate accident information to an insurance agent or contact.
The NextBase iQ enters Smart Sense Parking mode while the car is parked. Putting the cameras to sleep and employing low-power proximity sensing and g-force awareness sensors, conserves vehicle battery power. The radius of the closeness may be changed using the NextBase app, giving you a choice over how sensitive the detection is. When something large enough to pose a threat (human-sized) enters the vicinity, the NextBase iQ wakes up and starts recording, with the option of sending an alert to the vehicle’s owner.
The NextBase iQ can discern whether a person near the vehicle is simply passing by, entering a neighboring vehicle, or actively gazing into the iQ-protected vehicle using AI-enabled technologies such as facial detection. This information will be included in real-time event notifications, and if connected, the iQ will send recordings to the cloud. The data will not be erased if the camera is stolen or disabled.
The NextBase iQ’s voice activation features enable many real-time camera controls. “We know that sometimes people will want privacy for various reasons,” Alred went on to say. “Voice activation, for example, allows the user [in the vehicle] to turn off the in-cabin camera.” Alternatively, mute the microphone.”
Additional capabilities such as Monitoring Mode, in which the camera can have some features disabled for specified scenarios – such as when the car is with a mechanic, valet, or underage driver – will be available to the iQ soon (via over-the-air upgrades). GPS boundaries can also be configured for teen drivers, with alarms sent if those boundaries are breached.
“We see the iQ as a physical platform for continually-updated and improved software,” Browning went on to say. “We will continue to improve and enhance the camera’s capabilities and the app’s usability over time.”
The T-Mobile network is used by the NextBase iQ. Voice control and text notifications are available without a subscription, but cloud storage is not. A $100/year plan and a $200/year plan provide additional features and storage. Monthly alternatives are also available, which can be activated and deactivated at any time.
The NextBase iQ is available at Best Buy, online, and through NextBase. Pricing for the 1080p device starts at $500. The prices for the 2K and 4K units are $600 and $700, respectively. NextBase will begin selling the optional rear-of-vehicle camera add-on in November for $200.
