By David Raths
Government Technology
William Gibson, the science fiction writer who coined the term “cyberspace,” once said: “The future is already here — it’s just not very evenly distributed.” That may be exactly the way to look at the selection of disruptive technologies we have chosen to highlight in eight critical areas of government, ranging from public safety to health to transportation. Powerful combinations of digital, mobile, social, geographic and video innovations already are changing the public’s expectations and the services available. They just aren’t evenly distributed yet. And, of course, the pace of technological change is clearly accelerating. Can government agencies seize the opportunity and harness these innovations to become more efficient and responsive to citizens?
PUBLIC SAFETY: WEARABLE TECH IS TRANSFORMING EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The wearable technology market is expected to grow from $20 billion in 2015 to almost $70 billion in 2025, according to research firm IDTechEx. As commercial applications bloom, more will find their way into the public sector and emergency response.
This year has seen an increase in the number of police departments using body cameras. And already under development are wireless devices that monitor a responder’s breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, as well as potentially harmful environmental conditions, and relay concerns back to incident command.
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