Futurtist Jason Hope Comments on Government's Tech Report on Obama Investing in Internet of Things
Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) September 25, 2015 -- According to an article in Government Technology, the White House has announced a campaign focused on supporting the research and development necessary to deploy smart cities using the Internet of Things technology. With money from the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology, along with some other government departments, a total of $160 million is going to be sent towards development projects through 20 cities and higher education institutions. Jason Hope, futurist from Arizona, thinks this is a huge step in the right direction towards making connected technology a part of everyday life.
In the September 16 article entitled "Obama Places $160 Million Bet on Smart Cities, Internet of Things," Ben Miller of Government Technology talks about the ways in which the money will be used. While many initiatives currently underway focus on areas that their specific cities need help, better collaboration could make connected cities more helpful and effective.
The universities who are receiving the funds are already working with sensors and connected technology in their respective cities. Some, like the University of Washington, are using the technology to make their utility infrastructure more effective. Others are using it to track crime statistics. Yet others are analyzing data to find ways to help community members find a way out of homelessness.
With new funds, some schools and cities are able to expand their current experimentation to determine the most useful ways in which to connect cities. "I see this as the best value of the money the White House is sending into the research field," said Jason Hope. "Here you have a city and university who wanted to test a sensor array, but could only afford a dozen sensors. With the funds, it can now afford several hundreds. The increased data available will help many the analytics more effective."
The money is also being used to test new technology that may set the groundwork for future legislation. For example, the Department of Transportation is planning to require vehicle-to-vehicle technology in new vehicles sometime in the future. A study involving municipal vehicles in New York and trucking corridors in Wyoming will help test out the technology that may soon be in all new cars.
"This investment shows that the White House and the federal government is serious about seeing smart cities become a reality," says Hope. "With the data these research projects bring, many of the kinks that have limited the development of smart cities may soon be worked out."
About Jason Hope
Jason Hope is a futurist who resides in Arizona. He has been a successful entrepreneur, and uses his resources to support several local research projects and charities. Learn more about his current projects or his insights into the Internet of Things by visiting http://www.jasonhope.com.
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