While body-worn cameras are most commonly associated with law enforcement and security personnel, they are being adopted by individuals and other industries in a number of ways.
Body-worn cameras may help to increase transparency and help improve safety in certain sectors. They also have other uses such as for improving underperforming blogs, for journalism or for recording family holidays.
Let’s dive into several alternative uses for body-worn cameras that you may not have considered before.
What alternative applications do body-worn cameras have?
Today’s body-worn cameras (BWCs) are lightweight, compact, and packed with features that can be utilized creatively. Some of these cameras are equipped with night vision, and they record high-definition video for quality footage that can be used professionally.
BWCs are not difficult to find at all, whether you’re shopping online or offline—you can get one at Spycentre or similar gadget stores easily. Below are ten different applications for body-worn cameras beyond security and law enforcement.
1. Extreme sports recording
GoPros have been used by extreme sports athletes for years. These devices worn on bike helmets or the body are able to capture adrenaline-fueled moments including skydiving and bungee jumping.
BWCs can be employed in the same way to capture footage of extreme mountain biking or skiing from a POV perspective.
2. Blogging and documenting your life
One way to improve underperforming blogs is to add video content. Videos hold audiences’ attention more than text and images can. If your blog involves documenting your life and those around you, a body-worn camera can be a great addition to you regular equipment.
3. Journalism
Body-worn cameras can be used by amateur and professional journalists to document events surrounding them. Such cameras can capture live action, and also interactions with those involved with ease.
These cameras are unobtrusive compared to anything handheld, and this can help interviewees be more relaxed and natural too.
Raw footage adds credibility and transparency to a reporter’s work. This in turn builds trust with an audience.
4. Video games
Gamers now are enjoying the most advanced gaming technology ever. Games are more realistic than before, and this is naturally one industry where BWCs could be used in developing games in suitable genres.
There have already been experiments with body-cam games using the Unreal engine, but an FPS or detective story could be developed in a novel manner using genuine body-worn camera footage.
5. Travel
Now that travel restrictions have evaporated, everyone is free once again to explore exotic climes.
Typically, smartphones and compact cameras might be used to record images of these travels. But, a BWC offers a unique way to film while taking buses or boats, hiking along trails and so on.
Body-worn cameras are hands-free, so they can be set to record and largely forgotten about. Of course, this does bring up the matter of privacy and legalities surrounding video recording. Further down this article, we will delve into the best practices for BWCs, surveillance rights, and respecting others’ privacy.
6. Laser Tag and other games
Laser Tag was inspired by Star Wars. Five years after the original movie was released, work on the first Laser Tag system began.
A BWC could bring a new perspective to competitive Laser Tag games, and be used by teams to work on their tactics.
7. Medical and healthcare use
Cameras are used in healthcare in many ways. Tiny cameras are used to help with pinhole surgery and diagnosis. Cameras are also used to record surgeries.
Innovative uses of cameras in healthcare include smart devices to monitor subtle changes in a patient’s health. BWCs could also be used in healthcare during surgeries as they are hands-free and recorded without hindering the surgeon. Such recording options can lead to improved surgical techniques and advances in healthcare.
However, once again there are some ethical concerns here, and the risk of data breaches means hospitals must follow compliance. Secure storage and data management will be needed for this type of footage.
8. Sports entertainment and performance
Body-worn cameras offer a first-person POV when recording. Fans of many sports would appreciate being able to see footage of a performance unfolding in the thick of a game.
The use of BWCs in sports would have to be handled carefully, and the devices must be safe to use without any danger to athletes. Still, there is the potential for more exciting live-streaming action to consider here.
9. Independent filmmaking
Budding filmmakers often have to get creative as resources and budgets can be limited. Kevin Smith’s Clerks movie is a great example of clever indie filmmaking on a tight budget.
Even famous directors such as Steven Soderbergh and Steven Spielberg have experimented with filming with nontraditional devices such as iPhones.
BWCs would offer a unique documentary-style way of movie-making that would be affordable, and accessible to would-be filmmakers.
10. Festivals and concerts
Body-worn cameras are able to capture live events such as gigs and festivals in an interesting manner. Once again, there is the issue of copyright and the law here.
Recording your friend’s performance at a local gig should be fine. And filming your friends hanging out at a festival is also not a legal issue. But, unauthorized recordings of musicians may be illegal.
Can you legally film in public with a body-worn camera?
Anyone can record video footage in a public place as long as there is no audio. The reason that filming is legal in a public area is that no one can have an expectation of privacy there.
Audio is more problematic. Some states allow audio recording if one party gives permission. Yet, other states require all parties to submit to being recorded.
One thing is certain across all states, no one is allowed to record in places where privacy is reasonably expected. This refers to locker rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and similar areas.
What privacy concerns might arise with the use of body-worn cameras?
There have been reports of hidden cameras in rentals and holiday homes. Fortunately, there are gadgets to discover hidden cameras available.
But, hidden cameras aren’t the only concern for many people. Surveillance and unwanted recordings can be considered an invasion of privacy. And worse, filming may sometimes capture sensitive moments or information that can create legal problems.
Best practices for body-worn cameras would include asking permission to film whenever possible. Making the camera visible is also advisable for transparency. If you plan on storing your recordings, then you should ensure there is no footage of anything sensitive such as addresses or credit card details.
How you use your recordings is also a concern. Any recordings made illegally or that involve copyrighted material shouldn’t be shared or published online.
