Virtual reality drives command and control centre of the future

A virtual reality-powered public safety command centre that uses eye-interaction technology to help command and control supervisors ‘immerse’ themselves in the incident was showcased at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference in San Diego, US.

The virtual reality and eye-tracking technologies allow the commander to navigate through video and data feeds from multiple sources to quickly coordinate resources and share information to officers on the scene, improving safety of first responders and the quality of an agency’s response.

“Exploring the potential of new technologies, including virtual reality, for public safety helps us create solutions that improve safety and efficiency for our customers,” said Paul Steinberg, chief technology officer for Motorola Solutions, which has developed the smart technology.

“Whether it’s a proof of concept like the virtual command centre, or the smart public safety solutions available today, we believe in the power of technology to deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.”

He said real-time crime centres and applications that turn data into actionable intelligence are among the most effective tools for police.

Motorola Solutions believes the data capabilities of the new 4G LTE (long-term evolution) Emergency Services Network will create an opportunity to “build devices, applications and services that deliver new capabilities for public safety agencies”.