Last Sunday’s New York Times featured an article called 32 Innovations that Will Change Your Tomorrow. As I read through the mind-boggling new features coming our way, I couldn’t help but imagine how they might make it easier to fulfill the American Red Cross mission.
If you have more innovation ideas for the Red Cross mission, share them in the comments.
For example:
Electric clothes are 2 years away!
“Physicists at Wake Forest University have developed a fabric that doubles as a spare outlet.” One of the biggest challenges after a disaster is access to electricity. Imagine all the benefits to wearing a self-sustaining power outlet – for both Red Cross workers and clients.
Doctor on Board
Our cars will tell EMTs the probable extent of our injuries automatically after a crash. After a disaster, knowing who is hurt and how bad could assist us in mobilizing services and understanding the need for blood.
A mind-reading shopping cart
“To start it up, you can text message the cart’s built-in tablet computer. Now it knows who you are and what you need for dinner.” I can imagine a version of this technology helping to streamline service delivery and access to relief supplies.
An electric firefighter
“An electric field destabilizes the flame’s underlying structure rather than blanketing the fire to smother it. Eventually, the technology could be used to create escape routes or extinguish fires without damaging sensitive equipment nearby.” This one is self-explanatory. We respond to about 200 home fires per day across the United States, so this would be very welcome.