Everyone as a Sensor

Camera phones, GPS, and 3G networks make the futuristic scenario of everybody becoming a sensor a reality. CitySourced, a TechCrunch50 Finalist for 2009, is applying this technology to local governments around the country, so that you and I can report things in the neighborhood that need to be fixed.

Imagine being able to take a picture of a pothole, some graffitti, or a burned out street light and type a comment on your phone that fills out a report. Now imagine that report with the picture, the comment, and your GPS location going directly to a city official who can prioritize and fix the problem.

Pretty cool stuff, if you ask me.

Accessibility Matters

I have to admit that my local government has seemed pretty inaccessible to me. Sure their doors are open from 8:30am to 4:30pm but I work during those hours. And it’s not easy for me to provide input on most things without physically showing up downtown and filling out some paperwork. That’s one reason I’m pumped to see something like CitySourced take form. Filling out maintenance forms is just the beginning in my mind. Since I’ve watched the video below, I can’t stop imagining being able to communicate with my local government on other things as well…

Like say the city has a finite budget and they want to spend their money on projects that a lot of people want. Isn’t that the way it works? If I want my city to spring for some Bcycle stations so I can ride a bike around town instead of my car; or I want my kids’ school to implement a Horsepower Challenge (Disclosure: I work in Humana’s Innovation Center) then I can theoretically let them know… if this technology expands in that direction.

I think that it should.

I know that I live in America and that I’ve always had a voice with my various levels of governments. Making it easier for us to use our voices, is something we should all get excited about though. But don’t take my word for it, see it for yourself in the presentation below: