Motorola Solutions Unveils LTE-Based Public Safety Radio With Virtual Assistant

Motorola Solutions has released a Project 25 radio offering designed with a virtual assistant that will work to help first responders receive information in the field and operate the device through voice commands.

APX NEXT features an LTE technology built to operate with the national FirstNet emergency communications network, the company said Thursday.

The radio's ViQi Virtual Partner can help users retrieve data from a remote database while its touchscreen can function even when the user is wearing gloves.

Scott Mottonen, senior vice president of products at Motorola Solutions, said the company produced APX NEXT after completing 2K hours of field research and test efforts with law enforcement organizations.

“We know that first responders need technology to be intuitive and intelligent to allow them to remain eyes up, hands-free and focused in any situation,” Mottonen added.

The company designed the radio to automatically switch to LTE connectivity when the device detects low signal and send data on officer location to a dispatcher console via a broadband network.