Cyber-physical Systems can Make Emergency Response Smart

A Smart Emergency Response System (SERS) prototype was built in the context of the SmartAmerica Challenge 2013-2014, a United States government initiative. SERS was created by a team of nine organizations led by MathWorks. SERS team member organizations include: BluHaptics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MathWorks, National Instruments, North Carolina State University, The Boeing Company, University of North Texas, University of Washington, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The project was featured at the White House in June 2014 and described by Todd Park (U.S. Chief Technology Officer) as an exemplary achievement.The SmartAmerica initiative challenged participants to build cyber-physical systems as a glimpse of the future to save lives, create jobs, foster businesses, and improve the economy. The SERS prototype primarily concentrated on saving lives.