Building off of the momentum of past successful conferences, Golden Networking takes Wearable Computing Conference 2014 (www.wearable-computing-conference.com) global: New York City, San Francisco, London, Seoul and Munich, “How Wearable Technologies are Revolutionizing Mobile Wireless Internet, Healthcare and Fashion”.
New York City, NY, USA (January 22, 2014) — According to CNN, Patrick Jackson has developed an app for Google Glass, Google’s experimental head-mounted computer, which feeds important information directly to the eye-line of firefighters in an emergency. When a building is on fire, every second counts for the first responders rushing to the scene. This computer-savvy firefighter in North Carolina is hoping a bit of futuristic wearable technology and clever programming can help save time and lives, themes that will be covered at Golden Networking’s Wearable Computing Conference 2014 (http://www.wearable-computing-conference.com), “How Wearable Technologies are Revolutionizing Mobile Wireless Internet, Healthcare and Fashion”, forums to be held throughout 2014 in New York City (January 30), San Francisco (March 18), London (May 29), Seoul (September 25) and Munich (November 20).
By routing information directly to Glass, the app can save firefighters from having to stop what they’re doing in order to reach for a radio, smartphone, tablet or computer. Jackson plans on adding even more useful data in future versions, like information on specific buildings including blueprints, potential building hazards and contact information for owners. A firefighter might be able to say an address out loud or simply look at a building with the Glass camera to retrieve information.
Glass can also record the first video of a situation when crews arrive. That early documentation will be important to fire investigations down the line. For now, Glass isn’t compatible with the oxygen masks firefighters wear on the ground, so the app is more for external personnel. Jackson’s Glass stays behind in the truck.
A self-taught programmer, Jackson first started tinkering with computers when he was 7 and later spent a year studying computer science in college before transferring to the University of North Carolina, Asheville, for an environmental management and policy program. He became a firefighter and didn’t do much with computers for another decade. Then, about four years ago, he purchased a smartphone and was inspired to start programming again. “Since then I’ve taught myself way more than I ever knew about programming. I’ve developed an Android app, an iPhone app and a Glass app,” Jackson said.
His first project was the Android app Firefighter Log, which similarly routed key information directly to the smartphone, including text messages from fire and EMS dispatchers, streams of emergency radio feeds, and location information for fires and nearby hydrants. Jackson says more than 20,000 people have downloaded the apps. To get his hands on Google Glass, Jackson submitted his idea to Google’s IfIHadGlass competition. He raised money to cover the cost of the hardware through an Indiegogo campaign and received the device in September.
Other fire departments and researchers also are experimenting with wearable technology, thanks to a recent availability of affordable wearable sensors that can track vitals and environmental factors like air quality and temperature. The Wearable Advanced Sensor Platform, or WASP, can track a firefighter’s location as well as physical data such as heart rate, breathing and activity levels in real time. A Belgium finalist for Microsoft’s Imagine Cup created a system that combines location sensors and augmented reality glasses to help firefighters move around buildings when there is minimal visibility.
When he’s not fighting fires or perfecting his app, Jackson is working on another possibly life-saving use for Google Glass: an app to help administer CPR. Using the built-in accelerometer in Glass, the app can measure how fast someone’s chest compressions are and instruct the person to go faster or slower.
Golden Networking’s Wearable Computing Conference 2014, “How Wearable Technologies are Revolutionizing Mobile Wireless Internet, Healthcare and Fashion,” will examine wearable technologies’ functions, application, the competition and possibilities for economic and personal growth. Wearable Computing Conference 2013 is produced by Golden Networking (http://www.goldennetworking.net), the premier networking community for business and technology executives, entrepreneurs and investors.Panelists, speakers and sponsors are invited to contact Golden Networking by sending an email to information@goldennetworking.com.
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