Body-worn cameras record encounters that can later be examined by investigators, prosecutors and the public, but the devices have traditionally served as passive observers.

Axon Enterprise, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based public safety technology company and a leading global provider of police body-worn cameras, introduced a new model Oct. 24 designed to do more than document what happens.

Equipped with AI, the new Axon Body 5 Pro can scan driver’s licenses, retrieve information, translate conversations and help identify potentially dangerous encounters as they unfold.

The Axon Body 5 Pro marks a significant departure from earlier generations. Rather than serving primarily as a recording device, it is designed to become an active assistant, providing officers with information and support without requiring them to look away from the people they are encountering.

“Officers shouldn’t have to choose between getting information and watching the scene,” said Rick Smith, Axon’s founder and CEO, in announcing the technology.

The Body 5 Pro represents the latest evolution of equipment that has become commonplace in American policing. Earlier Axon cameras, including the Body 4, improved video quality, wireless connectivity and livestreaming capabilities, allowing supervisors to monitor incidents remotely. The new generation incorporates 25 times the AI processing power of earlier models, enabling more sophisticated applications.

Among the most notable advancements is a dedicated camera capable of scanning driver’s licenses. During a traffic stop, an officer can use the device to check license status and search for outstanding warrants without returning to a patrol vehicle or manually entering information into a computer. Results appear directly on the camera, potentially reducing distractions during encounters that can become unpredictable.

The device also supports Axon Assistant, which provides voice-activated access to information and real-time language translation. Six speakers, including four additional front-facing speakers, help make translated conversations audible amid traffic, crowds and other background noise.

Another innovation is Axon Guardian, an AI system designed to recognize signs of escalating conflict. When an activated camera detects a potentially confrontational encounter, Guardian can send an alert to remote personnel through Axon’s Fusus platform. A human operator can then review the livestream and determine whether additional assistance is warranted.

Axon is expanding these AI capabilities across existing technology rather than limiting them to new hardware. Guardian can also work with the previous-generation Body 4, allowing departments to adopt the feature without immediately replacing their cameras.

The system could help summon assistance before an officer requests it, although its effectiveness will depend partly on whether AI can distinguish genuine threats from raised voices, emotional exchanges or other encounters that do not pose an immediate danger.

The Body 5 Pro offers up to 4K video recording, improved low-light performance and 20% longer battery life than the Body 4. Its 5G and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity are designed to support more reliable livestreaming, while improved location tracking can help supervisors monitor officers moving through crowded urban environments.

Axon has also preserved compatibility with existing Body 4 mounts, charging docks and accessories, potentially reducing the expense of upgrading equipment across large departments.

The company is introducing two models, the standard Body 5 and the more advanced Pro. Both support AI assistance, but the Pro includes specialized hardware for license scanning, enhanced audio and additional memory for simultaneous AI functions.

Axon has not announced when the cameras will become generally available or which law enforcement agencies will deploy them first. A product demonstration is scheduled for Nov. 18, although pricing and initial deployment locations remain undisclosed.

The technology also raises broader questions about privacy, reliability and accountability. AI-generated warnings could improve officer safety, but false alerts or inaccurate information could influence decisions during already tense encounters. Independent testing and departmental oversight will be important as the technology moves toward everyday policing.