Built for the badge: Inside Motorola Solutions' next-gen public safety tech

Fast Company

11-07-2025

Police officers' uniforms are an emblem of duty and sacrifice. More than just fabric, they carry up to 40 pounds of gear across 12-hour shifts. From radios and speaker mics to body cameras, every tool adds to the weight—physically and mentally. Now, two new innovations from Motorola Solutions are aiming to change that. SVX and Assist, the company's latest innovations, were co-developed with law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and mark a shift in how public safety technology is designed: less hardware clutter, more real-time intelligence, and tools that work as seamlessly as the officers who use them.
DESIGNED FOR THE FIELD, NOT THE LAB
SVX is the first-of-its-kind video speaker mic that merges three essential tools into one: secure voice, high-definition video, and real-time AI. By combining the radio and body camera into a single wireless device, Motorola Solutions has cut the weight of these tools by more than half. 'It's 55% lighter than our standard body camera and wired mic together,' says Jack Molloy, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Motorola Solutions. 'SVX eliminates the need for officers to carry separate body cameras, which also helps reduce the total cost of ownership.'
Out in the field, an officer's most trusted lifeline is their radio. 'Exceptional audio clarity is non-negotiable,' says Molloy. Integrating seamlessly with the APX NEXT radio, SVX is equipped with the company's latest generation ambient noise reduction, allowing officers to communicate clearly despite blaring sirens or traffic. At the same time, SVX's high-definition video retains all ambient sound to protect the integrity of everything an officer sees and hears through the camera.
SVX is also powered by Assist, the company's AI for public safety. Designed to tackle the job's cognitive load, Assist surfaces crucial context and actionable information to support an officer in real-time. For example, Assist can turn SVX into a live language translator with a community member, or guide an officer with steps to administering a life-saving EpiPen. Assist can also automatically tag and organize video footage and pre-populate police reports with data from the entire incident, from the officer's perspective.
'We're not replacing human judgment,' Molloy says. 'We're elevating it.'
A SIMPLER WAY TO SERVE
These innovations didn't emerge from a whiteboard. They were developed through real-world testing with hundreds of officers and dozens of agencies across the country. 'We don't innovate in a vacuum,' says Molloy. 'Our R&D approach is 'customer first.'' From domestic calls to foot pursuits, Motorola Solutions' teams observed how smarter design could improve speed, safety and awareness.
'We understand that in moments of highest stress—when lives are on the line—less is more,' says Molloy. That's why SVX and Assist are designed to be intuitive, fast and fail-safe. Everything, from the wireless technology to the interface, is stress-tested for optimal performance when it matters most.
That philosophy led to critical SVX features like rugged wireless design, swappable batteries for long shifts, and flexible mounting options for different uniforms. For Assist, the focus was on reducing the 30% of an officer's shift often spent on administrative work—and the 40-60% of report writing time devoted to basic data entry.
BETTER TOOLS, GREATER TRUST
The early response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Officers cited better audio, improved mobility, and reduced physical burden. Assist is already helping agencies reduce paperwork, freeing up more time for officers to spend in the community, building relationships and trust.
Security and ethical use are also core to the design. SVX connects to an officer's APX smart radio via a secure, rigorously tested Bluetooth connection, and Assist is CJIS-compliant, meaning it adheres to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Security Policy—a testament to its robust security. Every innovation undergoes review by the company's technical advisory committee, MTAC, to align with the highest ethical standards and broader community impact.
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF SAFETY
Molloy says Motorola Solutions' 97-year legacy is a testament to working side-by-side with their customers, understanding their daily realities, and attentively addressing their needs and concerns. 'Their unwavering insight, collaboration, and willingness to iterate are truly at the heart of our progress,' he says.
For Motorola Solutions, this is just the beginning. As public safety continues to evolve, Molloy sees a future built around integrated intelligence—where every tool works together, data flows seamlessly, and officers can focus fully on the communities they serve.
'We're solving real problems for real people,' says Molloy. 'That's the kind of innovation that lasts.'