The dash cam market, often seen as mature and predictable, is about to receive a jolt of excitement with the launch of the AI-powered Nextbase iQ. Despite its lengthy gestation period since its initial announcement in January 2022, the iQ is set to captivate consumers with its innovative technology.
The Nextbase iQ is a 4G-connected dash cam system that can simultaneously record up to three different views: the front, rear, and the vehicle’s interior, all in up to 4K resolution. This cutting-edge device boasts artificial intelligence and radar capabilities, enabling intelligent surveillance features. It can identify suspicious individuals near your vehicle, estimate the speed and trajectory of nearby cars, and offers a wide range of applications beyond traditional dash cams.
Nextbase positions the iQ as a fusion of a dash cam, smart security camera, video doorbell, GPS-equipped 4G-connected vehicle monitor, driver assistant, and theft deterrent, all rolled into one. Furthermore, the iQ serves as a platform, enabling future feature enhancements via over-the-air updates.
Let’s delve into the hardware details. The Nextbase iQ comes in three versions, distinguished primarily by the resolution of their front-facing cameras. The lineup begins with the 1K version, recording at 1080 x 1920p (full HD) and priced at $499.99 / £349. The mid-range iQ, known as the 2K, records at 2560 x 1440p and costs $599.99 / £399. The flagship model is the 4K version, offering a resolution of 3840 x 2160p and priced at $699.99 / £449.
All three versions share a 140-degree field of view for the front camera and an interior-facing camera recording the vehicle’s cabin in full HD through a 180-degree lens equipped with infrared night vision. An optional rear-facing camera is available, which records in 2K resolution through a 140-degree lens, priced at $199.99 / £149.
In addition to GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, the Nextbase iQ stands out by featuring its own 4G connection, provided by Vodafone in the UK and Europe, and T-Mobile in the US. This 4G connectivity facilitates live streaming from the dash cam to your smartphone from anywhere in the world, with collision footage automatically uploaded to the cloud.
Importantly, these features remain operational even when the vehicle is turned off, thanks to the iQ being powered through the vehicle’s OBD II socket. Unlike USB ports or the 12-volt lighter socket, the OBD II port provides constant power from the car’s 12V battery, ensuring the iQ’s G-force sensor and radar are active and ready to alert your phone to incidents or suspicious activities.
The iQ also monitors the car’s battery voltage and will shut down to prevent a dead battery, provided the vehicle is driven every few days to maintain sufficient power for the iQ’s operation between drives.
Another remarkable feature is Witness Mode, which can be activated by voice command. It sends text messages and emails to two emergency contacts, granting them live access to the iQ’s cameras and microphone. This can be valuable in situations where the driver feels vulnerable, as it provides video evidence and a live witness. Witness Mode also uploads video to the cloud and saves a copy on the included microSD card.
Furthermore, the iQ includes an Emergency SOS feature that can notify local emergency services in the event of a heavy impact if the driver doesn’t respond to prompts from the dash cam.
The iQ’s connected features are accessible through two subscription tiers: Protect and Protect Plus, priced at $9.99 / £6.99 and $19.99 / £9.99 per month, respectively. However, the iQ functions as a traditional, unconnected dash cam even without a subscription.
Nextbase plans to enhance the iQ’s capabilities with future over-the-air updates, introducing features like Guardian Mode, which keeps vehicle owners informed about their car’s location when driven by others, and Push-to-talk, enabling communication between the app and the driver or potential intruders through the iQ’s 4G connection, speaker, and microphone.
Additionally, the company intends to introduce Roadwatch AI, utilizing the dash cam’s computer vision chipset to track the speed and trajectory of nearby vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters. This feature will enhance video recordings with speed data and offer real-time warnings to the driver.
The Nextbase iQ may not be budget-friendly, but its feature-packed offering promises exciting possibilities once installed and used in real-world scenarios.
