August 12, 2024: CO-LABS members toured the research labs of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), located in Boulder, Colorado, and learned about their partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR). The First Responder Network Authority, (or the FirstNet Authority), is an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that oversees FirstNet, the nation’s communications network dedicated to emergency responders and the public safety community.
On this tour, we saw four demonstrations:
1.) Compact Rapid Deployables
2.) User Interface User Experience
3.) Location-Based Services
4.) Mission Critical Voice
We also looked at security platforms and protocols. One interactive demo simulated a gas leak detection in VR to better understand how new tools and technology can assist firefighters with their jobs.
The visit included a tour of the Public Safety Immersive Test Center (PSITC) The PSITC provides opportunities to conduct immersive public safety standards and measurements testing. It allows for limitless virtual environments for testing and demonstration purposes, including scenarios for triage, search and rescue, indoor navigation, and situational awareness. The test center includes:
- A modular layout
- A motion capture system with 65 high-speed optical tracking cameras capable of centimeter accuracy
- A variety of augmented and virtual reality headsets
- A mobile staircase and other equipment for z-axis motion
- Physical furniture and gear to add a tactile component to simulations
NIST PSCR plans to update the space regularly with enhancements such as haptics and metrology, 5G, edge computing, WebXR capabilities (which allow virtual and augmented realities to be combined), and other technological advances for public safety operations. The PSITC will also integrate technologies from other PSCR research areas like the Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics for use in research, development, and demonstration purposes.”
We are excited to see the potential this facility holds for advancing communications technology for public safety!
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