Axis Communications

Overview

Axis Communications AB

type	Subsidiary
founded	1984
founders	Mikael Karlsson Martin Gren Keith Bloodworth
location city	Lund
location country	Sweden
key people	Ray Mauritsson (CEO)
parent	Canon Inc.
industry	Video surveillance
products	Network cameras Video management systems Video analytics Access control Radar
revenue	SEK18.7 billion (2024)
operating income	SEK2.41 billion (2024)
net income	SEK1.88 billion (2024)
assets	SEK15.84 billion (2024)
equity	SEK10.85 billion (2024)
num employees	4,879 (2024)
area served	Worldwide
website	axis.com
footnotes	‡R1R‡

Axis Communications AB is a Swedish manufacturer of network cameras, access control, and network audio devices for the physical security and video surveillance industries.[2][3] Since 2015, it operates as an independent subsidiary of Canon Inc.

History

Axis Communications was founded in 1984 by Martin Gren, Mikael Karlsson and Keith Bloodworth in Lund, Sweden.[4][5] The company developed and sold protocol converters and printer interfaces for the connection of PC printers in IBM mainframe and mini-computer environments.[6]

Technology

Products

Network Cameras – Axis Communications is a manufacturer of network cameras for a wide range of applications. Its products include pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, vandal-resistant cameras, thermal cameras, nitrogen-pressurized cameras, and wireless cameras. Axis launched the world's first commercially available thermal network camera in 2010 and the world's first commercially available HDTV network camera in 2008. In 2022, the company released network cameras that can connect to Z-Wave devices.[40] Most Axis cameras have video content analysis capabilities, such as advanced motion detection. Higher-end cameras support artificial intelligence for video surveillance applications, which can classify objects and human behavior. Axis network webcam.jpg [[File:An AXIS P3717 Network Camera; containing 4 sensors inside allowing for 360 coverage of an area. .jpg|thumb|An AXIS P3717-PLE Network Camera, manufactured in 2019, has four adjustable camera heads enabling 360-degree coverage of an area.[41]|291x291px]]
Body Cameras – In 2020, Axis Communications entered the body camera market, competing with market incumbents Axon, Digital Ally, Wolfcom and Motorola Solutions.[42][43]
Video Encoders – Axis Communications is a manufacturer of video encoders, which allow analog video signals to be converted into digital format for IP networks.[44][45] Recent models are based on the H.264 video compression standard which reduces bandwidth and storage requirements without sacrificing image quality.[46][47] The company offers 1-port, 4-port, 6-port and 16-port video encoders, as well as rack-mountable systems for large installations.[48][49][50][51]
Video Management Software – Axis Communications sells video management software which it markets under the name AXIS Camera Station. The software provides remote video monitoring, recording and event management functionality. Its API allows for integration with other systems such as point of sale and access control. Axis offers a lightweight remote-viewing application called AXIS Companion free of charge.
Physical Access Control – Axis Communications began offering physical access control systems in 2013 with the introduction of network door controllers and RFID card readers.[52] The devices offer an open interface for integration with other IP-based security system components and third-party software. The company introduced the first ONVIF-conformant physical access control systems available on the market.[53]
Network Audio – In 2015, Axis Communications introduced its first network audio product, a horn speaker providing talk-down audio functionality for security applications.[54][55] Subsequently, the company has launched network loudspeakers, sound projectors, strobe sirens, intercoms, and analog-to-IP audio converters for use in public address (PA) systems. A selection of network audio products are made for outdoor use and are vandal-resistant.[56][57]
Radar – In 2017, Axis Communications launched its first network radar, which minimizes false alarms, can classify objects, and adds advanced auto-tracking capabilities to Axis PTZ cameras. The network radars utilize machine learning and deep learning algorithms to classify objects and identify behavior. The radars are designed for outdoor use and are vandal-resistant.[58][59]

Microprocessors

The Axis Real-Time Picture Encoder Chip (ARTPEC) is a system on a chip (SoC) developed by Axis Communications.[60] There are currently nine generations of the chip, all of which run AXIS OS, a modified version of Linux designed for embedded devices. Not all products developed by Axis Communications use its custom chip. The chip is typically found in high-performance devices such as higher-end cameras, while lower-cost devices use SoCs from Ambarella.[61]

Axis Communications

History

Operations

Technology

Products

Microprocessors

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities

See also

Further reading

References