Investment in employee safety can positively impact team efficiency and thee overall work environment.

Motorola Solutions has unveiled the V200, a body camera designed specifically to help protect frontline workers in stores, hospitals, hotels, schools and stadiums. Workers in these settings regularly face safety concerns — from unwelcome behavior to theft and medical emergencies — and the V200, with its GoLive Audio safety feature, offers a direct connection to help.

The Motorola Solutions V200 body camera

The V200 body camera is a discreet, lightweight addition to a worker’s uniform. The recording feature can be activated with the push of a button to document a situation, which also serves as an effective deterrent for unwanted behavior. In more serious scenarios, such as medical incidents or crime, activation of the GoLive Audio feature can engage security personnel or a supervisor, who can access live video and audio and interject via the camera’s speaker. This kind of immediate intervention allows the frontline worker to focus on the situation while directly getting support.

Motorola Solutions found that more than a quarter of workers have considered quitting their jobs due to safety concerns, about half of workers think body cameras could make them feel safer and the majority believe body camera recordings could aid in investigations.

GoLive Audio is essential for employees to receive feedback and guidance from a supervisor or security agent.

“Industries like retail, healthcare, hospitality and education are recognizing the value of body cameras to improve safety for their workers and those they serve,” said Jeremiah Nelson, corporate vice president, Command Center Software and Evidence Products at Motorola Solutions. “In these environments, feeling safe at work is key. The V200 was purpose-built to give frontline workers peace of mind on the job, offering proactive and immediate assistance when and where they need it.”

As a leading provider of enterprise security technology solutions, Motorola Solutions explored worker sentiment related to body cameras in its 2024 report on retail worker safety. It found that more than a quarter of workers have considered quitting their jobs due to safety concerns, about half of workers think body cameras could make them feel safer and the majority believe body camera recordings could aid in investigations. In the U.K., where body cameras are more widely adopted, 70% said body cameras are effective in de-escalating dangerous situations.

Dr. Read Hayes

“When people feel safe, they can be more focused and productive,” said Dr. Read Hayes at Loss Prevention Research Council. “ Body worn cameras are an investment in employee safety and morale which can have a direct and positive impact on team efficiency and the overall work environment.”

Enhanced with AI

Motorola Solutions has also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Theatro Labs, Inc. (“Theatro”), maker of AI and voice-powered communication and digital workflow software for frontline workers, based in Richardson, Texas.

Theatro’s software-as-a-service platform, purposefully designed for frontline workers, provides a suite of collaboration applications that deliver information in real time to help improve their productivity and physical safety. Using conversational language through a wearable device, users can ask Theatro’s AI voice assistant for guidance to assist customers, check inventory and pricing, and communicate with other team members. The technology can help accelerate employees’ work processes and product knowledge.

Mahesh Saptharishi, Motorola Solutions

“Theatro is designed to prioritize both safety and operational efficiency, which are essential for all frontline workers,” said Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Motorola Solutions. “With Theatro, we are continuing to invest in innovative technologies that purposefully apply AI to protect employees while automating how they work and improving their service to customers.”

“For more than a decade, we have been passionate about innovating for frontline workers,” said Chris Todd, President & CEO, Theatro. “We’re thrilled to be joining Motorola Solutions to enable even more capabilities that help team members remain safe while delivering their best work every day.”

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, following receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed

Both Motorola Solutions and Theatro will be exhibiting at NRF ’25 – Retail’s Big Show from Jan. 12-14 in New York City. Motorola Solutions will be located at booth #706 and Theatro at booth #807. The APAC edition of NRF ’25 is slated to happen in Singapore from June 3-5.

About Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions is solving for safer. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies and enterprises that’s critical for a proactive approach to safety and security. Learn more about how we’re solving for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses – safer everywhere – at www.motorolasolutions.com.

(This article was adapted from a press release).