Nextbase iQ: 4G and AI Enhance the Power of This Dashcam

The British company Nextbase took the opportunity at CES 2022 this week to unveil its new premium dashcam, named Nextbase iQ, which incorporates “artificial intelligence” and 4G connectivity to offer several interesting functions.

Mounted on the windshield behind the rearview mirror, Nextbase’s new dashboard camera films forward in up to “4K” and inward as well as to the sides up to 1440p. An optional camera mounted on the rear window can film backward, also up to 1440p. The Nextbase iQ can thus effectively fulfill the basic function of a dashcam: recording trips to clear the driver in case of interactions with law enforcement or insurers. Voice commands allow discreet operation of the camera without pressing buttons, useful before a police check or a confrontation with another user.

4G and AI Combined

But this dashcam is also and more importantly one of the few to feature a 4G connection. Previously limited to a few models such as the Owlcam, available exclusively in the United States. When connected to the “cloud”, it can notably upload recordings online (handy in case of theft), and alert the user to suspicious activity while parked, allowing live streaming of footage on their smartphone and even speaking through an integrated speaker.

This is where artificial intelligence comes into play. The Smart Sense feature promises to detect prowlers before they commit their act, either to scare them remotely via the speaker or by alerting authorities onsite. The AI can also recognize other road users and calculate their speed (by comparing with the vehicle’s GPS-measured speed), allowing it to be embedded into recordings.

Finally, AI enables other driver assistance functions, such as blind spot or collision detection.

In the Absence of Built-in Dashcam…

The price and launch date of the Nextbase iQ have not yet been announced. It is expected to cost a few hundred euros. It will be among the best alternatives to integrated dashcams in the rare few cars that offer them.

Tesla, in particular, allows using Autopilot cameras as dashcams, both on the road and while parked (Sentinel mode). Mercedes does the same on some of its vehicles, but not in France, for an unknown reason. Citroën offers the ConnectedCam as an optional feature, but it only films forward.

Read also: Dashcam: safety and privacy