Introducing the world’s first 5G 360° camera for industrial and commercial applications
Every once in a while, there comes a time when you – or your clients – have a brilliant business idea, but the available technology isn’t quite up to the challenge. That was the exact situation why we embarked on creating the world’s first 5G 360° camera tailored for industrial and commercial applications.
From the outset, our goals were ambitious. The device that has become the Nokia 5G 360 Camera needed to be durable, mobile, and capable of replacing legacy camera setups in the most demanding environments.
Filling a gap in the market
The idea of a “single device with all the features” might sound like a stretch, but that’s precisely what we set out to achieve: a camera that addressed a clear market need.
Our priorities were straightforward yet challenging: the camera should live stream and record 360° video while capturing spatial audio through integrated hardware. It needed to function wirelessly over 5G and stream up to 8K resolution at 30 fps – requiring around 100 Megabits of data per second. On top of all that, the device had to be protected by an IP67-grade build, capable of withstanding harsh conditions.
Streaming full 360° video, especially in real-time, is notoriously inefficient since much of the data isn’t needed whether it’s viewed on-screen or through an HMD headset. No one literally has eyes on the back of their head!
This is where Nokia’s Real-time eXtended Reality Multimedia (RXRM) software solution comes into play. Nokia RXRM intelligently ignores parts of the 360° stream outside of your field of view, reducing bandwidth usage by up to 90% while still providing the real-time immersive experience and situational awareness needed.
Resilient, versatile and secure design
Beyond streaming performance and audio-visual quality, we built the Nokia 5G 360 Camera for resilience. It can operate in the harshest conditions, from the depths of a mining tunnel to the heat of a wildfire zone. With its IP67-rated design, the camera is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in a meter of water and is completely protected from dust particles. It’s also resistant to shock and vibration, making it suitable for use on moving platforms such as vehicles, ships, and unmanned aerial systems.
The Nokia 5G 360 Camera is a compact powerhouse (137mm x 171mm), offering industrial-grade connectivity without protruding antennas or fragile parts. Thanks to its size and weight (2.3 kg), the camera is easy to install and relocate without major infrastructure changes, enabling limitless scalability.
And since we realize that our customers rate device security high, it was also our top priority. The camera features tamper-resistant software, in-built security hardware, and supports encryption for both video streaming and recording. There’s no need to enroll in third-party services, and it’s truly plug-and-play, with no complex network configuration required.
Performance compared to typical surveillance cameras
Now, I’ve often been asked this question: “Why switch to a fancy new 360° camera when traditional setups seem adequate?” There are both performance and cost benefits to consider. In an industrial setting, a single Nokia 5G 360 Camera can cover an entire area with full spherical field of view. Something that would require up to twelve traditional surveillance cameras (106° x 80°) and extensive cabling, attachments, and monitoring for each camera.
With its 7680 x 3840 resolution and spatial audio capabilities, the Nokia 5G 360 Camera delivers unparalleled video and audio quality – using significantly less bandwidth than the combination of multiple traditional camera feeds.
Operational efficiency, responsiveness and remote presence
So, what can you do with the Nokia 5G 360 Camera? The possibilities are virtually limitless, especially when paired with the Nokia RXRM software solution. RXRM plays a pivotal role in enabling ultra-low latency, high-quality live streaming without congesting the network.
Picture yourself remotely operating industrial machinery with an immersive console delivering real-time 360° video. With spatial audio, you could detect and locate irregularities in the soundscape of your production environment. Or imagine conducting remote consultations or training sessions where full situational awareness is critical – unhindered by location, time, or weather.
Depending on your needs, the Nokia 5G 360 Camera can operate wirelessly via cellular 5G, WLAN, or with Power over Ethernet (PoE) for wired connections. Its built-in 5G capabilities make it ideal for mobile platforms like drones and lightweight robotic devices, while the PoE option is suited for surveillance, remote monitoring, and immersive presence in static locations. The Nokia 5G 360 Camera – Extreme Temperature variant enables 360° real-time video at exceptionally high and low operating temperatures, catering for demanding customer use cases.
Potential use cases include:
- Industrial automation, teleoperation, and remote collaboration: In sectors like mining, ports & maritime, manufacturing, and energy, the camera can transform how remote operations and trainings are conducted.
- Real-time surveillance, security, and safety: Security teams gain enhanced situational awareness, and public safety professionals can monitor with clarity and detail.
- Entertainment: Live concerts, sports events, and influencer content can become fully immersive, allowing fans to virtually “attend” in real-time with a complete 360-degree perspective.
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished with the Nokia 5G 360 Camera. Now, we can’t wait to see how you’ll use the world’s first 5G 360° camera to unlock new possibilities and transform the way you work!
The Nokia 5G 360° Camera was announced in December 2024 and shipping starts in Q2 2025.
