GreenValley’s LiBackpack was featured at the Smart and Secure Cities and Communities Challenge Expo  held in Washington D.C. from July 10th to the 12th, 2019.  The event was sponsored by the Global City Teams Challenge and co-hosted by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Hundreds gathered at the event to share technology-driven solutions to the many security issues that cities and communities around the world must face.

Exposition attendees were able to test out the LiBackpack 50 during live product demonstrations and speak directly with GreenValley solution engineers about how they might adopt LiBackpack data collection systems and outputs into their efforts to address specific security-related issues. During these conversations it became clear that GreenValley’s 3D mapping solutions present huge opportunities for emergency response planners and those working in the public safety sector. Traditional fire departments, police, etc. are increasingly moving towards becoming “All Risk Agencies” that rely on spatial data, online mapping and GIS platforms to pull information from while responding and managing emergency situations. Immediate applications of GVI solutions involve the collection and processing of 3D LiDAR data that can be used to train those responsible for responding to active shooters, terrorism, hostage taking, standoffs, evacuations, search and rescue, search warrant execution, and other activities that require police and other emergency responders to physically enter and navigate the interior spaces of structures or understand the layout of a structures interior for tactical reasons.

Representatives from the City of Memphis were also on hand at the event to share the results of a NIST-funded project led by researchers at the University of Memphis who have successfully incorporated a LiBackpack 50 system into their multi-sensor approach to documenting the indoor and outdoor areas of many landmarks in the Memphis area. Wendy Harris, a City of Memphis Project Management Office Director, delivered a presentation titled “Point Cloud MAP901, Building Rich Interior Hazard Maps for First Responders”  to a packed to a packed plenary session which highlighted the use cases for GreenValley International’s LiBackpack.

Excitement for GreenValley’s LiBackpack was also generated by a VR point cloud demonstration that the City of Memphis had prepared for the event. Curious attendees lined up to immerse themselves in a true-color 3D point cloud collected at the National Civil Rights Museum and left awe-struck by the experience. The City of Memphis also had on display a GIS web-app built that allowed users to inspect and interact with 3D point clouds captured by GreenValley International’s LiBackpack.

Learn about GreenValley International’s involvement in the Global City Teams Challenge (GCTC) by reading this article published by GCN . If you are interested in finding out more how GreenValley International’s end-to-end solutions for 3D mapping of interior and exterior spaces could benefit your department, agency, or business please email info@greenvalleyintl.com for more information.