Motorola Solutions announces new communications technology for first responders

Motorola Solutions recently announced its next-generation of mission-critical, broadband-based solutions for first responders to use in public safety scenarios at the 2017 Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) show in Denver, Colorado.

According to Bruce Brda, executive vice president of Products and Solutions at Motorola Solutions, the company is creating a new generation of voice, data and messaging capabilities for interoperable communications between land mobile radio (LMR) and long-term evolution (LTE) networks.

“From interconnected apps that make it easy for officers to communicate with radio and smartphone users, to connectivity between LMR and LTE networks, our newest solutions are designed for the unique needs of public safety,” Brda said.

One solution, called PSX App Suite, is an integrated mobile application for use by first responders in the field that utilizes both LMR and LTE networks. According to Motorola, the apps share the same look and feel, contact and credentials so that officers don’t have to re-enter key information across apps.

With the new suite, responders can create push-to-talk (PTT) groups for smartphones and radios, share location maps, and send photos to other personnel elsewhere in the field.

Motorola’s ASTRO 25 Broadband Connectivity Package allows users to connect to public safety broadband networks for PTT uses across a variety of devices. With the technology, agencies can communicate between radio and broadband users with local, city and county personnel, along with extended users such as public utilities.

During natural disaster-type scenarios such as forest fires, first responders can use Motorola’s LXN 500 LTE portable network device to quickly establish LTE coverage where needed. Equipped with wi-fi and GPS, the LXN 500 functions as a complete standalone LTE network and can host a number of software applications such as mapping and messaging.

A new in-car camera, called the Sr600, provides a 360-degree view to record images from an entire scene. Specifically, the camera not only captures what occurs in front of the car, but along each side of the vehicle and the back for a full-picture view. Videos can be uploaded via secure wi-fi to CommandCentralVault, where data is stored and managed together along with body cameras worn by officers to streamline video and scene management.