SmartWitness is to bring 4G LTE connectivity to its next-generation in-vehicle camera technology following an agreement with Sierra Wireless.

The company's forthcoming KP2 connected camera will be powered by the Sierra Wireless HL Series embedded modules with 4G LTE Cat-3/4 technology to enable a reliable connectivity for real-time, two-way communication as it pushes further into advanced driver assistance systems.

Chris Pflanz, SmartWitness product director, said: "This is a significant advancement that gives us the scalability we need as we move toward technology-based road safety improvements designed to reduce risk and incident frequency to better serve our customer."

SmartWitness said the KP2, which can be added-on to an existing telematics platform or be used as a stand-alone system, can be attached to any windscreen.

The camera recording system is also tamper-resistant, with a tamper switch that sends out an alert if it is forcibly removed from the windshield.

The KP2 also includes a 1080p HD video camera with 170-degree wide-angle lens, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS/Glonass, a six-axis accelerometer, expansion capability up to 16 cameras, built-in CAN interface and a RESTful API available for integration with any web application.

Pflanz added: “Our ADAS technology alerts the driver if he’s following too closely to the vehicle in front or if he/she changes lanes without signalling, the assumption being the driver is tired and drifting.

"The two-way audio allows fleet management or dispatch to easily call the driver via hands-free, or speak with the driver in the event of an emergency.

"None of this would be possible without a reliable communication technology, which is critical for the real time, two-way communication that makes our in-vehicle products effective. Any downtime can be detrimental to a tired driver and his/her employer."

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