Innovating body worn cameras with the Prague Municipal Police
May 21, 2025
Body worn cameras are one of Axis’ fastest-growing product segments, and one project that helped shape our current offering was equipping the Prague Municipal Police with a large number of cameras. So, what did it take to live up to the standards of a capital city’s law enforcement? We caught up with our Sales and R&D teams to get the details, plus some invaluable feedback straight from the customer.
A real-world test
By 2021, Axis had already launched its body worn cameras—lightweight, hands-free devices designed to capture incidents as they happen. But we knew that fine-tuning our offer would only come from real-world use. So, when the Prague police put out a tender for an integrated body worn solution, it felt like the perfect opportunity to take our products to the next level. The team included Richard, Engineering Manager for Axis Eastern Europe, based in the Czech Republic; Filip, Software Engineer; and Fredrik, System and Software Architect, both based at the R&D department at HQ in Lund, Sweden. As Head of the Evidence Department at Prague Municipal Police, Josef Dvořák, was the key customer contact.
Right time, right place, right offer
One of the advantages of the Axis business model is having sales offices strategically located across our markets so that sales engineers are on the ground and ready to act when an opportunity arises. That’s exactly what happened in 2021 when Richard —then a sales engineer in Prague—heard about the body worn camera tender. “We got the chance to pitch directly to the customer,” Richard explains. “That allowed us to show how our features matched their needs: a guaranteed 12-hour battery life, high-quality images, a stable connection, robust hardware, and seamless integration with their existing system. Once they were convinced we could meet their needs, we delivered demo units, which they tested over three months.”
So, what tipped the scales in favor of Axis? Josef Dvořák shares,
“During testing, we were impressed by the Axis team’s professionalism. They really listened, paid attention to the smallest details, and were willing to go the extra mile to adjust the solution. It felt like the perfect fit—choosing Axis was absolutely the right decision.”
A team effort for a tailored solution
Naturally, the Prague police had specific requirements—and for our R&D team in Lund, that’s where the fun really started. Tailoring the solution meant problem-solving and fine-tuning both hardware and software. Some features we developed included a self-assign function (so officers on different shifts can share cameras), recording notifications, a reminder that recording is still running, and a 90-second buffer to catch crucial moments right before pressing record. We also upgraded the camera holders for better usability.
“It was a pretty quick fix in the end,” says Software Engineer Filip about the recording notification. “Even a simple feature requires teamwork, involving a range of professionals, from UX experts to multiple firmware teams, all collaborating on the solution.”
“The beauty of developing on a live project is getting real-world feedback on things you might never think of as an engineer,” says Richard. Fredrik adds, “Exactly, you tweak a feature, send it back, the customer tests it, and together you shape the product until it’s just right.”
“This kind of customer interaction is essential as we develop and launch new products. We aim to tailor them to effectively meet our users’ needs, allowing the solution to gradually mature. The goal is to understand the needs of specific customer segments so that the solution can better serve others with similar requirements, while requiring fewer customizations. The Prague Municipal Police provided valuable insights into the diverse needs of law enforcement in various situations,” says Richard.
Results that speak for themselves
For the Axis team, one of the most rewarding parts was seeing the final solution make a real difference for the customer. “The body worn camera is vital for keeping our officers safe,” Josef shares. “It’s also helped solve more cases since video footage provides undeniable proof of what happened during an incident. We’ve even noticed that people tend to calm down once they realize they’re being recorded—it changes the whole dynamic.”
Another standout for Josef? The way Axis handled storing the recordings. “We needed a system that made it easy to catalog and access footage. Axis delivered by pairing the camera with the officer’s mobile phone so they can view recordings on the spot and decide what needs to be archived. Plus, it’s easy to find footage later.”
When asked what made working with Axis so positive, Josef summarized: “Three things—excellent communication where we could discuss our needs openly, a customized solution tailored for us, and a real willingness to listen and adapt based on our feedback.”
Why join Axis?
“As an engineer, I get to work on products that matter to users, things that people actually want and need—that’s really rewarding,” says Filip. Fredrik adds, “Axis is an inspiring place to work because every day there is something new to solve.” From a Sales perspective, Richard reflects, “Axis gives employees the time and space to develop and learn. Axis also has an open and collaborative culture where everyone solves things together.”
Sounds like the place for you? Take a look at our open positions here.
