BARCELONA—Ficosa, a global company dedicated to creating solutions of vision, safety, efficiency, and high-tech connectivity for the industry, has developed the “Connected Police Car,” a vehicle equipped with the most advanced technology that converts patrol cars into real mobile police stations. This project, carried out in collaboration with Telefónica, has been presented at SICUR 2016 (International Security, Safety and Fire Exhibition).

Ficosa CEO, Xavier Pujol emphasizes: "It has been a real honor for us to lead this project, pioneer at an international level, in which we have been working for more than three years." He adds: "The Connected Police Car is an important step in enabling policemen to carry out different procedures without having to be at the police station, as well as offering them new tools to facilitate their work with the aim of improving the citizen security".

Ficosa has incorporated multiple solutions endowed with the latest technology. Specifically, the center console of the car has been equipped with a laptop with a 10-inch touchscreen. In addition, the 3G and 4G Telefónica connection allows the device to send and receive, in real time, images and videos, from the car to the police station, and vice versa.

With an automatic license plate reader (ALPR), agents can detect whether vehicles around have been stolen or are on the lists of suspects. This solution digitizes and encodes the plate images, contrasting simultaneously with police databases to verify them.

This intelligent vehicle also integrates three video surveillance cameras located at the front, in the interior and at the rear of the car. These cameras are able to record any activity that happens on its viewing angle and allow agents to generate an alert if an abnormal situation is detected, facilitating the future searching of the recorded video. Furthermore, Ficosa has included an integrated antennas system with fractal technology that enhances connectivity in the vehicle.

The Connected Police Car project, which is in its pilot phase, has already seven cars currently circulating in the provinces of Madrid, Zaragoza, and Valencia. After this trial period, it is expected to be implemented in 150 to 200 patrol cars throughout Spain.

For more information, visit www.ficosa.com.

SCHAUMBURG, IL—Motorola Solutions continues to design digital radio solutions for firefighters and has added the APX 8000XE two-way radio and APX XE500 RSM to its line of products. The newest entries into Motorola Solutions’ award-winning APX portfolio of Project 25 (P25) digital radios have been developed using the company’s well-established practice of hands-on research with firefighters and other first responders who need the most reliable mission-critical communications to do their jobs efficiently, effectively and safely every day.

The APX 8000XE features all-band functionality and is a rugged P25 two-way radio that can be used in either analog or digital mode across 700/800 MHz, VHF, and UHF bands. Time is of the essence for firefighters and they can be ready in moments by programming the radio remotely via WiFi and radio management software to operate securely on different radio networks, allowing them to quickly help neighboring counties during large-scale emergencies.

Motorola Solutions works closely with firefighters and other radio users to find out exactly what they need, and the APX 8000XE is the latest example of that thinking. It features the trusted ergonomics of the APX XE radio series, designed for easy operation in harsh conditions. The right-sized radio has a large top display, exaggerated controls for gloved hands, and a dedicated push-to-talk button. It also provides best-in-class audio with a 1-watt speaker, three built-in microphones and automatic noise suppression for clarity in the loudest of environments.

“The APX 8000XE is an all-band rugged and submersible portable radio made for firefighters,” said Lieutenant David Hudik, Elgin Fire Department. “With Wi-Fi access, we can reprogram the APX 8000XE on the fly when we are providing mutual aid assistance out-of-state.”

Most firefighters use a remote speaker microphone with their radios and the APX XE500 RSM is designed specifically for demanding environments, whether combating a fire or providing medical services at the scene of an accident:

• With five strategically placed microphones and automatic noise suppression, the APX XE500  provides clear communications when worn on either shoulder, center chest, or over the shoulder.
• It can be submersed in two meters of water for up to 4 hours.
• It withstands heat conditions of up to 500°F (260°C) for up to five minutes.
• A channel knob automatically controls the channels of the user’s portable APX radio.

“With the APX XE500 RSM, I can completely control my APX radio without having to hunt under my bunker coat for it,” said Lieutenant David Hudik, Elgin Fire Department. “With improved water porting, you can carry the APX XE500 upright or upside down for fast water drainage while maintaining clear voice communications.” 

“Customer input is essential to our design and the Elgin Fire Department was right at our side as we tested the capabilities of the APX 8000XE and APX XE500 RSM,” said Claudia Rodriguez, vice president, Devices Product Management, Motorola Solutions. “The latest XE radio means firefighters will be able to talk with other