Axis unveils AI video cameras & AV1 overlay feature

Axis Communications has announced three additions to its network video portfolio, including an AI-powered PTZ camera, an anti-ligature corner camera aimed at custodial and clinical settings, and a new AV1 feature that supports togglable overlays in a single stream.

The company positioned the updates around edge processing and how video systems present information during live monitoring and later review. Axis said the approach reduces reliance on separate streams and shifts more analysis and security controls into the camera.

"As security operations become more data-driven and environments more complex, Axis latest innovations bring edge intelligence into everyday security workflows. Processing key details in the camera and presenting them clearly as actionable insights delivers many powerful user benefits from faster access to relevant footage, lower bandwidth and storage overheads, and stronger trust in what they see and share," said Linn Storäng, Regional Director for Northern & Eastern Europe, Axis Communications.

PTZ camera

One of the products is the AXIS Q6325-LE, an outdoor-ready PTZ camera. Axis described it as AI-powered and designed for use in difficult lighting conditions. The camera uses a 0.5 inch sensor alongside Lightfinder 2.0 and Forensic WDR. It also includes OptimizedIR.

The camera supports analytics on the device. Axis said it ships with AXIS Object Analytics preinstalled. The software detects, classifies, tracks and counts people and vehicles. The camera also supports Autotracking 2 for active tracking.

Axis said the AXIS Q6325-LE uses Zipstream with support for AV1, H.264 and H.265. The company linked this to lower bandwidth and storage requirements.

The AXIS Q6325-LE runs on the ARTPEC-9 system-on-chip. Axis said it includes Axis Edge Vault for hardware-based cybersecurity. The company also highlighted FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified secure key storage and operations.

Corner camera

Axis also launched the AXIS Q9227-SLV Corner Camera for environments where operators want a compact unit with a design that reduces the risk of self-harm. The company cited prison cells and psychiatric wards as examples of installation settings.

The camera records at 5 MP resolution. Axis said it provides a wide field-of-view designed to remove blind spots. The device includes AI-powered video and audio analytics. It also includes a hidden speaker and microphone for two-way communication.

For low or no light environments, the device uses 940nm invisible IR. Axis also included an additional white LED. The company said it can provide colour detail when required.

Axis said the unit runs edge-based analytics using a deep learning processing unit. AXIS Object Analytics and AXIS Audio Analytics come preinstalled. The camera also ships with AXIS Live Privacy Shield for dynamic masking. Axis Edge Vault is included for hardware-based cybersecurity.

AV1 overlays

The third announcement covers an AV1 feature that supports togglable overlays in a single stream. Axis said users can switch between an operational view that includes overlays such as bounding boxes and text and a clean forensic view across live and recorded video.

Axis said the feature removes the need to run two separate streams for operational monitoring and evidential review. The company also said the overlays originate from the camera itself, which it linked to image integrity.

Axis described the feature as a workflow change for operators who regularly shift between live incident response and later review. The company said operators can keep overlays switched on for daily monitoring and then turn them off to review or share a clean evidential view without managing multiple video feeds.

The announcements also underline the role of on-device processing in video surveillance. Axis linked edge processing to bandwidth use and storage overheads, and to how quickly operators can locate relevant footage during investigations.

Axis said the products and AV1 feature reflect its focus on embedding analytics, privacy controls and cybersecurity functions within devices, rather than relying solely on downstream systems.