From training and preparation to action in the field
The studies presented during the innovation market demonstrate the broad range of ways in which IX can be used. For example, entrepreneurs are developing AI avatars that allow police officers to practise realistic conversations with aggressive individuals and unexpected situations in VR. Other solutions enable professionals to quickly create realistic training scenarios themselves, for example for events, incidents or large-scale operations.
Other studies are exploring how real-time data can be translated into realistic 3D environments. This allows professionals to explore a location in advance, practise different scenarios and better prepare for an operation. Other entrepreneurs are focusing specifically on supporting professionals during actual operations. Solutions are being developed that use AR glasses to display relevant information directly in a professional’s field of view, or that allow remote experts to observe a situation and share information.
This shows that IX within the Challenge goes beyond simply training with a VR headset. The studies demonstrate how immersive experiences can be used for learning and preparation, but also for information provision, collaboration and support during complex situations.
The police as a starting point, the wider safety domain as a perspective
Although the Dutch Police is the starting point for the Challenge, the innovation market also demonstrated that several of the solutions could be relevant to other organisations within the public safety domain. During the discussions and speed-dating sessions, participants explored how the different applications could also be used in other fields, such as by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the Ministry of Defence, fire services and healthcare organisations.
For example, a technology that creates a realistic virtual environment of a location could be relevant for emergency preparedness by safety regions. A solution that provides professionals with real-time information during an operation could also be relevant to other emergency responders who need to act under time pressure. And technology that enables experts to jointly view a location remotely could open up new forms of collaboration.
The innovation market therefore provided not only an opportunity to present the initial results of the studies, but also to explore how the different solutions could complement each other and where opportunities for collaboration might arise. The first connections between entrepreneurs were already made with a view to the next phase.
From feasibility study to the next phase
The innovation market provided an opportunity to showcase the initial results of the 18 feasibility studies. The next step is to select ten entrepreneurs to continue to phase 2: the research and development phase. During this phase, the selected concepts will be further developed and tested in practice.
Organisations attending the innovation market could also become more closely involved with the projects by offering to act as a test environment for phase 2 and working with the entrepreneurs to test the applications in practice.
The studies demonstrate the many ways in which IX can support professionals across the public safety domain. Working more safely, intelligently and with a stronger focus on people is an important common thread: technology that does not distract from the profession, but instead strengthens the expertise and capabilities of professionals.