Augmented, Virtual Realties Hold Promise for Government

From firefighting and social services to increased accessibility, public-sector agencies are using virtual and augmented reality to improve how staff train to interact with citizens — and it’s only the beginning.

In Austin, Texas, city leaders are using augmented and virtual reality — AR and VR — to train emergency responders. Philadelphia is exploring VR as a way to make public transport more accessible. Multiple municipalities in North Carolina are looking at ways to leverage the technology in support of everything from tourism to workforce development.

“As AR and VR become more accessible and easier to use, they offer a lot of great possibilities for government to explore innovative approaches,” said Ellysse Dick, a policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.