CHARIoT Challenge: Using Augmented Reality (AR) to Improve Public Safety Operations

NIST CHARIoT Challenge

According to NIST more than 70 billion IoT (internet of things or “Smart”) devices will be connected by 2025. The goal of the NIST CHARIoT Challenge is to present augmented reality interfaces to demonstrate how first responders can supplement traditional radio communications with broadband in order to leverage relevant data streams from IoT devices, smart buildings and smart cities. This enhanced technology will improve communication for public safety personnel in order to save more lives and property.

For the NIST CHARIoT Challenge, VRT-U teamed up with AvatarMEDIC and First Responder Institute, a public safety agency, for creating augmented reality (AR) interfaces to improve communications in emergency scenarios such as wildfire.

Holograms and HUD

Using the latest in AR technology and UI/UI research, we designed holograms for visualizing real-time environment data to convey actionable information to first responders without distractions or cognitive overload.

AR solution includes holograms for incident command perspective and heads-up displays (HUD) for first responders (e.g. firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement personnel). A first responder interacts with the HUD through eye-gaze control which enables easily transmitting and receiving critical and actionable information in the field. The AR prototype was developed on Magic Leap One.