He described the concept of augmented reality as the next major shift in the world of computing that parallels the radical changes brought about by the Internet and smartphones in the same field. Leading global technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Snapchat and Apple were at the forefront of making significant progress in harnessing digital augmented reality. For example, Tim Cook said, Apple CEO: "A large proportion of developed countries will have, And in the end all countries, with augmented reality experiences every day, like eating three meals a day."
Augmented reality is defined as the interaction between a set of overlapping elements including data, graphics, audio clips and other augmented sensory material that depends on a realistic environment and occurs in real time. This environment is the world we live and work in and the world that members of society learn about every day. It should be noted here that the confusion between augmented reality and virtual reality occurs, The latter puts the user in an innovative, unreal and intangible. The augmented reality experience is simple but powerful and impactful as it relies on contextual, visual and sometimes deeply emotional content.
How will this next major shift affect governments and governance? The concept of augmented reality dates back to the nineties, That's when it was drafted by researchers at Boeing. Many would argue that augmented reality technologies appeared much earlier. However, the success and flourishing of key elements of augmented reality in the digital age is just beginning.
Smart Infrastructure and IoT. The increasing availability of Internet networks and the emergence of the long-awaited Internet of Things (IoT) have contributed to the rapid spread of smart and connected infrastructures in cities and countries. This is reflected in the adoption of many services and facilities such as roads, power grids, water systems, buildings, public utilities, communication networks, vehicles, homes, etc. on smart technologies more day by day. The number of connected devices in 2016 reached more than 6.4 billion, and this number is expected to increase 5-10-fold over the next four to five years. These smart infrastructures and the vast amount of physical and geo-specific data generated by the tools we use will drive the use of augmented reality in the government sector. This may have become a focus of interest for all countries around the world, as evidenced by the "smart cities" initiatives and challenges launched by the European Union, India, China, the United States of America and most recently Canada (Canada announced the 2017 Smart City Challenge following the launch of the 2016 Smart City Challenge in the United States).
Data first and foremost. Augmented reality can only achieve value and result in the government sector when it is based on real data, whether this data is available through large-scale open government data initiatives, sensor-based networks and infrastructures, or through the collection of vast amounts of unstructured data provided daily by mobile users, formal and informal networks resulting from the sharing economy and other structured or unstructured data sources. By combining smart infrastructure, big data and open data, government sector entities at all levels can begin to shape smart cities, smart solutions and connected platform solutions that provide the community with integrated services and experiences and enable employees to work in such an environment. Here, AR represents a visual portal for data in the public and private sectors, adding immense value to the data outlook as a type of core government resource and asset.
Augmented reality technologies. Over the past few years, the basic software for augmented reality and most importantly hardware capable of delivering augmented reality experiences have finally taken shape. These devices include:
- Mobile and mobile devices, Most notably, cellular phones, tablets, and mobile workers' devices are made for a specific purpose.
- Vertical displays of vehicle windshields and protective masks.
- Head-on wearable displays.
- Goggles, protective masks and helmets.
- Contact lenses and virtual retinal devices.
- Screens that display spatial information.
- Other devices are under research and development.
Practical application of augmented reality: "Vision" of the Future of Governments
There are many uses for virtual reality in the government sector, As with any new technical innovation, The potential of augmented reality depends on the skill, ingenuity and creative sense of its users. Here are some potential use cases – part of which are being planned while others are still in the proof-of-concept phase – that provide a quick overview of opportunities and possibilities.
E-Governance: ITrap Individuals & E-Services. Imagine a world where you can access, view, and fill out any form or government request across a range of augmented reality devices – mobile phones, smart glasses, desk screens, readers – with the possibility of using a full range of aids (voice, subtitles, visual and graphic instructions, etc.). Imagine a world where the foundations of governance—including policies, regulations, regulatory frameworks, and legal documents—can be transformed into "living" physical documents that can interact with individuals and administrators via augmented reality-enabled devices. Imagine a world where individuals and businesses can "see" and interact with planned government business projects via augmented reality devices, such as highways, water and energy utilities, parks, transit lines, new stations, and more.
Asset Management and Maintenance. Imagine that the municipal workforce can efficiently and accurately preserve city assets – from street lights, cell towers and fire hydrants to water wells, shared stocks, and roads – using windshield screens for maintenance vehicles, smart glasses, hat-mounted devices, and other portable augmented reality devices. Imagine enhancing the impact of the most important experts, specialists and supervisors who are able to provide real-time guidance and harness their technical expertise to help remote field staff via augmented reality technologies, whether audio and visual, or those based on data and sensors.
Emergency and Public Safety Services. Imagine firefighters and disaster responders being able to roam using emergency vehicles equipped with augmented reality screens at head level to provide road guidance and real-time data about environmental and hazardous conditions in the place, or with augmented reality devices that enable them to see objects and hear sounds with smoke, fire, debris, bad weather conditions, and more. Imagine having disaster-specific augmented reality apps that provide visual and audio guidance to individuals seeking shelter, evacuation routes, or emergency assistance. Imagine real-time data-driven augmented reality apps that enable police to access location information and data about their vulnerability to dangerous situations via smart glasses, in-vehicle screens and other wearable devices. Individuals and businesses can also access certified geographic data on crime statistics and other environmental factors by pointing their cell phone at a specific building, street, or entire neighborhood.
Public Health, Wellbeing and Sustainability. Imagine inspectors from all disciplines, health, building safety, public safety and environmental quality, can "see" and interact with the available data and information in real time, whether it's data about a particular facility, an agricultural area, a neighborhood or a county. Communities interested in promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for their community can be connected to health facilities such as parks, entertainment, fresh agricultural produce markets, and farms. Thus, individuals can engage in beneficial activities such as walking, cycling and walking around to learn about resources that offer healthy or low-carbon options. Imagine a range of environmental quality detectors (air, water, land, etc.) equipped with augmented reality sensors that enable health and environmental employees and individuals to make informed and immediate decisions about mobility, activities and immediate response.
Transportation and movement in cities. Imagine this enhanced future enables you to see and connect to diverse transportation systems "visually," from traditional highways, regular roads and railway infrastructures to shared on-demand mobility services and active transit (e.g., walking and cycling). Operators of shared transports such as trains, cars or buses can be equipped with augmented reality displays to provide useful information about traffic accidents as they occur, transport schedules, route changes, customer needs, vehicle need for maintenance, and more. Also, imagine physical maps powered by augmented reality technologies that provide information about transportation systems so that users, whether visitors or residents, can see which transport network is recommended to use visually or even audio.
Culture, heritage and tourism. The protection of heritage and cultures is a top priority around the world. One of the most prominent uses of augmented reality is to improve and enrich places such as historical buildings, castles, monuments, heritage sites, and others. Culturally important museums and buildings are ideal options for employing augmented reality information and rich content in relation to important artworks, artifacts, publications and more. Natural resources, including parks, coasts, forests and water bodies, It can provide a rich learning experience if augmented reality technologies are used. At the same time, they can promote and monitor the proper use, protection and preservation of natural resources. All these activities from arts, culture, history and heritage can be combined to create augmented reality-based experiences for tourists and residents alike to enjoy.
The above examples of AR uses in the government sector are only a fraction of the already possible uses that have recently begun to emerge. In conclusion, We can say that augmented reality is a symbol of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the link between the real and digital worlds and certainly between the public and private sectors. Stay up to date with the latest developments in augmented reality globally so you can soon "see" the future of the government sector.
This article was written by Gregory Curtin, Founder and CEO of Civil Resources Group, United States
