The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is using virtual reality to improve public safety technologies. The team in the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division is developing open source environments that enable industry and academia to rapidly prototype future user interfaces for first responders. This session will share lessons learned in developing these environments with the first responder community, trials and tribulations from 500+ demos, and highlight what worked well and what failed miserably. PSCR Open Innovation will discuss how these environments have been used to collaborate with the public as well. They will share insights from the several prize challenges that have tasked contestants with creating unique solutions, ranging from heads-up displays to haptic feedback devices, to assist public safety in conducting their tasks. In this session, NIST PSCR will highlight the challenge process, outcomes, and future ways to get involved.

Takeaway

Come hear about lessons learned in creating virtual reality environments for public safety from one of NIST's lead VR developers. NIST will highlight their role in developing scenarios around law enforcement, fire fighters, and EMS. Attendees will learn how NIST's Open Innovation allows collaboration with people like you.

Intended Audience

Attendees who want to learn more about developing open source environments. People interested in applications of VR for developing and testing technology and interfaces, and potential collaborators working on improving public safety technologies.