Theale firm using latest tech for aid relief

Skotkonung Ltd, who are based in Theale, has received one of the first Google Glass headsets available for developers.
The Glass provides people the power of the internet on a pair of glasses, using software found in smartphones.
It has the capability to take pictures and video using voice commands and can also project up-to-date travel information, translations and directions on the display.
But Skotkonung believes that it can serve the double edge of aid relief and security in humanitarian and international development through the use of biometric technology.
Using facial recognition stored on a datebase, the Glass could be used to flag people as friend, foe or unknown.
Skotkonung says it’s software could identify people wishing to receive food aid or for security companies at checkpoints - overcoming the need for local staff to carry ID cards, which can put them at risk of violence.
The managing director of Skotkonung, Jonathan Cole, who lives in Newbury, said: “We are really genuinely excited to be a part of it. The people we are trying to support overseas are working in the most challenging environments all over the world and this will allow them to work without needing to tie their hands up with equipment.
“In Haiti people were sent out with a PC tablet to compile data. They were sat there with a computer tying up both hands when they should have had a first aid kit and a hands free system to work with.
“We believe that the cost of the Glass, after public release, will make this a viable option for deployment on projects in aid environments.”
The company develops software particularly focussed on the needs of those operating in international development and humanitarian aid.
It was granted a copy the Glass after one of their developers pitched an idea in a competition run by Google that asked companies what they would do with the technology.
Although Skotkonung has only been provided with one copy of the Glass, their software has already been put through its paces in early testing.
“For us we are very much in an exploratory phase and our timetable is slow but steady. However, we are hoping to do some preliminary field testing later this year to see what the capability is for it,” Mr Cole said.
Google Glass is expected to be released for public sale next year.