With truck operators having to battle increasingly difficult traffic conditions and accusatory fellow motorists Dash cam and technology company Nextbase, has announced the launch of an AI-powered, 4G connected dash cam in Australia that could well be a very beneficial addition to any truck or fleet.
Nextbase has called the new AI powered dash cam. the iQ Smart Dash Cam, and added that it was awarded the Best New Vehicle Security System at the massive Consumer Electronics Show 2024 in Las Vegas earlier this year by Billboard. The Dash Cam was also a listing in TIME’s Best Inventions for this year.
Nextbase claims iQ is the world’s first and only aftermarket connected-automotive platform.
“Vehicle security is very important to Australian motorists, and that the range of features the iQ Dash Cam provides owners is unmatched,” said Nextbase’s head of sales in Australia, Ben Sinica.
“We are very excited to share the iQ with our Australian customers and to herald in a new standard of dash cam technology across the country. All Australians are now able to secure a Nextbase iQ Dash Cam through the extensive Harvey Norman store network or online,” he said.
The company says its Nextbase iQ specs include the option, of either 1K or 4K resolution as well as a rear camera option and a built-in infrared cabin camera, as well as what it calls SmartSense Parking, which enables users to toggle remote alerts using radar-based Spatial-awareness technology. Nextbase says that these notifications allow the user to monitor, engage and even take proactive measures to deal with an incident before it happens.
Another advance feature which Nextbase calls Guardian Mode. This allows users to set parameters for remote alerts when leaving their vehicle with another person, including speed, aggressive acceleration or travelling outside of a certain geographical area. Which would be a boon for truck fleet operators fitting them to their heavy rigs.
The iQ Smart Dash Cam also has a voice activated ‘Witness Mode’, which Nextbase claims saves a 30-minute video instantly to the cloud and pushes a live stream notification to an emergency contact in real-time.
Nextbase also allows a ‘Live View’ via its iQ app, ensuring fleet operators or owners can see what’s going on in or around the truck or light vehicle at any time. The company says the app also allows users to live stream, trigger an audible alarm, view video history, or share and along with other features.
The Dash Cam also boasts other safety features including automatic emergency SOS alerts, GPS location feature, enhanced infrared night vision and voice control.
Nextbase ambassador, Supercars star and 2017 Bathurst 1000 winner David Reynolds said that whenever he is in his car with his family, his first thought is always their safety.
“The Nextbase iQ goes above and beyond what Aussie’s expect from a standard dash cam and protects them and their vehicle with all the latest 
technology and connectivity tools,” said Reynolds.
Nextbase claims the iQ is easily set-up on any vehicle with an OBD connector, allowing the vehicle to power the device and access iQ’s smart features. The company said that a regular hardwire kit is also included for the traditionalists and that a 32gb SD card is pre-installed on all models.
Nexbase says that it offers customers multiple flexible subscription choices, starting with a free solo plan, which it says provides users the best dash cam video protection available.
The company said that those looking to unlock the 4G connected smart features can via its ‘Protect and Protect Plus’, with trial and payment options also available.
