Motorola, Sony Team For Wireless Mesh Video Cameras

Motorola and Sony Electronics are joining forces to offer a wireless mesh-enabled IP video camera.

Targeted at municipalities deploying wireless mesh networks, the new offering will help streamline deployment of IP video surveillance solutions for public safety rollouts, a Motorola spokeswoman said.

Motorola plans to sell the equipment through its wireless mesh channel partners and recruit new security VARs, she said. Later this year, the company also plans to launch a new, more comprehensive channel program that will include its mesh and video infrastructure products, she added.

Via the new partnership, Sony’s Ipela SNC-RX550N/W-MT and SNC-RX550N/B-MT IP video cameras will include drivers that enable the cameras to operate with Motorola’s Motomesh-enabled Wireless Modem Cards. As a result, the cameras can act as integrated router/repeaters in a mesh network on the licensed 4.9GHz public safety or unlicensed 2.4GHz frequencies without requiring the attachment of an outside router to connect to the network, the spokeswoman said.

The companies are demonstrating the products this week at the CTIA Wireless 2006 and International Security Conference (ISC) West shows, both being held in Las Vegas.Motorola plans to offer multiple kits under the Mesh Camera Wireless Video Networking System name that combine its wireless modem cards, Sony’s cameras and outdoor domes and mounting equipment.

A kit that includes four cameras, four wireless modem cards, outdoor mounting kits and management software from Sony will sell for about $37,000. Single cameras with accompanying modem cards and outdoor equipment will sell for roughly $5,800. The kits are scheduled to ship at the end of May.