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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LogOn: Miniature Body Camera (TV/R)
HEADLINE: LogOn: Miniature Body Cameras Designed to Combat Crime
TEASER: Small, inexpensive camera transmits live video for users in danger
PUBLISHED: 03/12/2024 AT 8:45AM
BYLINE: Julie Taboh
CONTRIBUTOR: Tina Trinh
DATELINE: Las Vegas, Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Tina Trinh, Zoom, PhoneCam
VIDEO EDITOR: Adam Greenbaum
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Original VOA, Zoom, PhoneCam by Slimdesign, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 01:57 and 02:00
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Once used mainly by law enforcement, ordinary citizens now have access to smaller, cheaper versions of body cameras to help them feel safe in dangerous situations. Julie Taboh shows us how in this week’s episode of LogOn.]]
((NATS -- Police officer: “Hey, sir! You alright?”))
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. Department of Justice says body-worn cameras are usually used
((Courtesy: PhoneCam by Slimdesign))
by law enforcement to improve officer safety and to collect high-quality evidence. ((end courtesy))
Now, ordinary citizens can use smaller, more affordable versions of such devices for their own protection.
((Courtesy: PhoneCam by Slimdesign))
One example is the PhoneCam, a miniature body camera ((Radio track: no bigger than a disposable lighter)) powered by artificial intelligence and billed as the ultimate safety companion. ((end courtesy))
The device can be easily attached to clothing and activated whenever a user perceives danger.
((Radio track: Wouter ((VOW-ter)) Konings ((KOH-nings)) is PhoneCam’s founder and CEO and owner of Slimdesign, the design agency that developed the camera. He spoke with VOA via Zoom))
((Wouter Konings, PhoneCam Founder and CEO)) ((Zoom))
“A lot of bus drivers, for instance, or other people that come in contact with aggression, they don't get a body camera because they're too expensive, and the whole system that has to be set up for them is too complex. So what we set out to do is just to reduce the complexity."
((Courtesy: PhoneCam by Slimdesign))
((NARRATOR))
The PhoneCam is equipped with an app that allows users to start a live recording with a short press the moment they sense danger. If the situation escalates, they can press the button a second time to send an alarm to a designated emergency contact.
((Wouter Konings, PhoneCam Founder and CEO)) ((Zoom))
"We are leveraging the technology of your phone and therefore we can make it much smaller and more affordable. ((end PhoneCam credit)) We can also use the CPU [central processing unit] of the phone, and therefore we can do a lot more AI-based things than normal body cameras can because they don't have that chip set in their device.”
((Courtesy: PhoneCam by Slimdesign))
((NARRATOR))
The device has two-way audio communications with the contact, who quickly receives both the live video feed and a location.
A PhoneCam control room also allows groups of users ((end credit)) to track their location on a map and answer and forward alarms.
((Wouter Konings, PhoneCam Founder and CEO)) ((Zoom))
“The biggest deterrent of this camera is that it's going to be streamed into the cloud and it can be used as evidence later.”
((NARRATOR))
Consumer-ready body cameras can provide an added measure of security and peace of mind for users, and their loved ones.
((Courtesy: PhoneCam by Slimdesign))
((Julie Taboh, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 12, 2024 09:00 EDT
BylineJulie Taboh
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
