Google will Test The Augmented Reality Glasses Once More in Public

Google announced plans to test the technology in public to avoid privacy concerns that almost a decade ago led to the demise of Google Glass, the original augmented reality device.

Google Glass came with a front-facing camera.

Critics were concerned about the possibility of users recording individuals without their consent. Glass-wearers were given a derogatory name and in 2014 a woman who wore the glasses claimed that she was attacked at a San Francisco Bar. Google eventually repurposed the glasses in order to concentrate on business customers and not consumers.

Juston Payne, Google’s product manager, wrote that “it’s early” and that he wanted to make sure it was right.

 Google stated that the prototypes are similar to normal glasses and feature an in-lens screen. They also have audio and visual sensors such as microphones and cameras.

An LED light on the device indicates when the glasses are recording images. Google claims that the glasses won’t record video or take photos for users to view later. However, they can capture and use image data to perform functions such as identifying objects and showing directions. Google stated that the glasses will not be worn in sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, churches, protests or government buildings. The testing will be done by “a few dozen Googlers, and select trusted testers”, and will take places somewhere in the U.S.

Google unveiled its AR glasses during its developer conference in May. The focus was on translating speech in real-time, so that people could see foreign languages translated right in front of them. During the presentation, a Google employee described the glasses as “subtitles to the world”.

Google is competing fiercely with other tech giants Apple and Meta to create the next generation of augmented reality glasses. Although all four companies have invested billions of dollars in augmented reality hardware and software, they still have not succeeded in creating a new computing platform.

Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, stated that the magic of the internet will come to life when it is possible to use them in real life without technology getting in the way.

is preparing for the announcement of a mixed reality headset. Meta has released an advanced mixed reality headset with augmented reality features. Microsoft’s Hololens augmented reality headset is the best available from any big tech company.