Top 5 at 5x5: What researchers won’t want to miss at the summit

By: The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR)

Prepare to unlock the boundless potential of innovation and collaboration at the highly anticipated 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit, presented by NIST PSCR and the First Responder Network Authority.  Immerse yourself in a dynamic program featuring thought leaders, captivating keynotes, hands-on demonstrations, and unparalleled networking opportunities.  

Throughout 5x5, you will gain valuable insights, witness cutting-edge demos, and engage in meaningful discussions that can drive innovation and make a real impact for researchers in the field. 

Check out these top five sessions researchers won’t want to skip at 5x5: 

1. Learn how you can shape the future of public safety research  
   The R2 Network and NIST PSCR will co-moderate a campfire session aimed at gathering insights and feedback from various public safety innovation partners. The session will shape the future of organizations like PSCR, FirstNet Authority, and R2 Network by encouraging participant recommendations and fostering connections within the public safety innovation community. Attendees will also be encouraged to explore what is being shown at the technology demonstration tables by the R2 Network and challenge winners. 
    
2. Experience the power of Quality of Experience (QoE) on first responder performance in mission critical services 
   This panel focuses on the Quality of Experience (QoE) for end users, including first responders, and discusses how performance may be affected by different QoE levels. The panelists will share the creation of test equipment, research and development of AI speech-to-text functionality to simulate human responses, general research experiences on finding test subjects and volunteers, and the integration of virtual reality for the testbed.
    
3. Gain insights from PSCR awardees using extended reality (XR) for first responder training 
   In this panel discussion, three NIST PSCR Division awardees present their recent user studies on Extended Reality (XR) in training scenarios for first responders. Jason Jerald, David Kortenkamp, and Jeronimo Grandi share their work and engage in an interactive Q&A session with the audience, highlighting key findings and research outcomes. Attendees can also explore the XR training applications firsthand in the technology demonstration area. 
    
4. Witness the dynamic research showcase of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 4.0 winners 
   The First Responder UAS 4.0 Indoor Challenge recently concluded with the University of Maryland (UMD) Autonomous Micro Aerial Vehicle (AMAV) team winning the Grand Prize for its low-cost, indoor-specific drone capable of providing full light, low light, and thermal imaging. The second-place winner, Uniform Sierra Aerospace, developed a compact quadcopter designed for intelligence gathering in indoor tactical operations, equipped with advanced sensors. Don't miss the opportunity to engage with and experience these groundbreaking technologies in action by witnessing the future of public safety firsthand. 
    
5. Discover more about public safety broadband in “Collaboration Among Nations” Hear from a panel of international public safety professionals who are at the forefront of global public safety broadband network deployment. These international leaders will discuss the unique broadband solutions their countries are launching to address operational and technical challenges, and opportunities to collaborate with each other to solve some of the biggest challenges in public safety communications. 

At 5x5, ideas will flourish, partnerships will be forged, and advancements in research, development, and deployment will be accelerated. 5x5 redefines professional horizons for members of academia, researchers, first responders, technology enthusiasts, and visionary entrepreneurs alike.  

Seize this opportunity to be part of an unparalleled experience. Don't hesitate—register for 5x5 today and secure your position at the forefront of innovation!