EMTs and Autonomous Vehicles
In Fall 2021, our Advance Design Studio partnered with Red Hat to complete a semester-long research and design project about the potential benefits of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) for different communities. Our team’s community focus was on emergency first responders and their patients, and we sought to discover how gathering data can improve response time and quality of treatment for emergency calls.
Collaborators:
Emma Carter
Jillian Tyler
GD 400 | Fall 2021
UI/UX Design
Initial storyboard concept of an EMT using Autonomous Vehicles to respond to a call
Data that is collected and gathered in order to respond to an emergency call
We began with a series of interviews with first responders and in-depth research on the processes and data that go into making quick and effective responses to emergency calls. We discovered the need to cut down on response time and confusion at the scene. We outlined a storyboard detailing the benefits of using AVs to gather data and transport our EMT persona to the scene in order to help them be better prepared to care for the patients.
We then created a set of wireframes detailing the information and data that would be presented to an EMT on the dashboard of an AV acting as an emergency vehicle. These wireframes showcase the key information an EMT will need to know on their way to the scene, including patient information, scene information, and other emergency responders’ locations and their role in the response. Receiving this information prior to arriving at the scene helps the EMTs and their team better locate the patient, secure the scene, and administer aid. Connecting to other AVs also helps cut down on response time by rerouting and notifying other vehicles, clearing a path so the EMT arrives sooner. Finally, any data shared through the AV is also shared through a watch that allows the EMT to still be able to access the information once the arrive at the scene and leave the vehicle.
Primary system components that collect, receive, and send relevant data
Notification to other AVs about being rerouted
Primary data about the patient, scene, and response team
Expanded information about the patient, including current conditions, medical history, and suggested treatments
Final notification with data most relevant to the emergency is shared as the EMT arrives
EMT watch linked to AV data