Axis Communications was founded in 1984 byMartin Gren, Mikael Karlsson and Keith Bloodworth inLund, Sweden.[4][5] The company developed and soldprotocol converters and printer interfaces for the connection of PC printers inIBM mainframe and mini-computer environments.[6][7][8] By the end of the 1980s, Axis Communications opened its first U.S. sales office inBoston, Massachusetts and, in the early 1990s started shifting its focus away from IBM mainframes towards networking and theTCP/IP protocol.[9]
The Axis 5600/5800 network print server facilitated a strong expansion of Axis's business in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In 1991, Axis Communications introduced a multi-protocolprint server supporting both TCP/IP andNetWare.[10] In 1993, the company developed its ownCPU Architecture,ETRAX CRIS, for microprocessors used in embedded devices. In 1995, the company introduced a file server independent, multi-protocol CD-ROM server, supporting TCP/IP (NFS) and Windows (SMB), for Ethernet networks, the AXIS 850.[11] By 1995, Axis Communications opened sales offices inHong Kong,Singapore, andTokyo, Japan.
Axis Communications introduced the industry's firstnetwork camera in 1996, the AXIS 200.[12][13] This was followed in 1999 by the AXIS 2100 which was the first volume product using anembedded Linux.[14] In 2003, the company introduced the AXIS 205, the smallest network camera of its time.
In 2008, Axis Communications, together withBosch andSony, announced that the companies would cooperate to standardize the interface of network video products and form a new industry standards body calledONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum).[15][16]
On February 10, 2015, Japanese multinational corporationCanon Inc., which specializes in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, announced a cash bid of 23.6 billionSwedish kronor (US$2.83 billion) to acquire Axis Communications.[17][18] While Canon is the majority shareholder, Axis is run independently. Canon's network cameras have been sold and supported by Axis Communications in theEMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region since September 1, 2016, and in North America since October 1, 2016.[19][20][21] In November 2018, Axis Communications was delisted from Nasdaq Stockholm.[22][23]
On February 1, 2016, Axis Communications acquired Citilog, a video analytics provider for traffic and transportation security and safety applications.[24][25] On April 30, 2021, Axis Communications announced that it was selling Citilog, citing challenges in finding "desired synergies because of our different go-to-market models."[26] On May 30, Axis Communications acquired2N Telecommunications, a provider of IP intercom systems based in the Czech Republic.[27][28] On June 3, 2016, Axis Communications acquired Cognimatics, a video analytics provider for retail applications such as people counting, queue measurement and occupancy estimation.[29][30]
In May 2018, Axis opened a new R&D office for software development inLinköping, Sweden.[31]
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 toZ-Wave devices.[40] Most Axis cameras havevideo content analysis capabilities, such as advanced motion detection. Higher-end cameras supportartificial intelligence for video surveillance applications, which can classify objects and human behavior.An Axis 2100 Network Camera, released in 1999.An AXIS P3717-PLE Network Camera, manufactured in 2019, has four adjustable camera heads enabling 360-degree coverage of an area.[41]
Body Cameras – In 2020, Axis Communications entered thebody camera market, competing with market incumbentsAxon, Digital Ally, Wolfcom andMotorola Solutions.[42][43]
Video Encoders – Axis Communications is a manufacturer ofvideo encoders, which allow analog video signals to be converted into digital format for IP networks.[44][45] Recent models are based on the H.264video 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. ItsAPI allows for integration with other systems such aspoint of sale andaccess control. Axis offers a lightweight remote-viewing application called AXIS Companion free of charge.
Physical Access Control – Axis Communications began offeringphysical access control systems in 2013 with the introduction of network door controllers andRFID 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 firstONVIF-conformant physical access control systems available on the market.[53]
Network Audio – In 2015, Axis Communications introduced its first network audio product, ahorn speaker providing talk-down audio functionality for security applications.[54][55] Subsequently, the company has launched networkloudspeakers, 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 utilizemachine learning anddeep learning algorithms to classify objects and identify behavior. The radars are designed for outdoor use and are vandal-resistant.[58][59]
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 ofLinux designed forembedded 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 fromAmbarella.[61]
In October 2021, cybersecurity research firm Nozomi Networks published "three new vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-31986, CVE-2021-31987, CVE-2021-31988) affecting all Axis devices based on the embedded AXIS OS."[65] Axis and Nozomi collaborated throughout the research and disclosure process, with Nozomi publishing a statement from Axis in its announcement of the vulnerability.[65]
To exploit these vulnerabilities, the potential adversary needs network access and administrator-level access to the Axis device.[66] A week after their discoveries, CVE-2021-31986, CVE-2021-31987, and CVE-31998 were patched in AXIS OS 10.7, AXIS OS 2016 LTS Track 6.50.5.5, AXIS OS 2018 LTS Track 8.40.4.3, and AXIS OS 2020 LTS Track 9.80.3.5.[66]
We thank Nozomi Networks for their research and good collaboration throughout the disclosure process. AXIS Communications welcomes researchers to inspect our devices and firmware as it is our belief that long-term sustainable cyber security is created through collaboration and transparency.
— Sebastian Hultqvist, Global Product Manager for AXIS OS[65]
18.7 billionkr (2024)
1.88 billion kr (2024)
