Project Glass

Project Glass
Name	Project Glass
Developer	Google X
Type	Wearable computing
Released	Discontinued

Project Glass. It was an ambitious research and development initiative by Google X to pioneer a new form of augmented reality via a head-mounted display. The project aimed to create a hands-free, voice-command operated device that could overlay digital information onto the user's real-world view. Its most famous public prototype was the Google Glass Explorer Edition, which generated significant public and media attention.

Introduction

The initiative represented a bold foray into the nascent field of wearable technology, seeking to integrate the capabilities of a smartphone directly into a user's field of vision. Conceived as a platform for contextual computing, the device was designed to provide information relevant to the user's immediate surroundings and tasks. Early demonstrations showcased potential applications in fields like telemedicine, manufacturing, and journalism. The project's unveiling captured the imagination of the tech world, positioning it alongside other innovative products from Apple Inc. and Microsoft.

History

The project was initiated in 2011 within the secretive labs of Google X, under the guidance of founders like Sergey Brin. A stunning public reveal occurred in April 2012, when developers demonstrated live skydiving and bicycle stunts while streaming video to a Google I/O keynote. The Google Glass Explorer Edition was subsequently released in limited quantities to developers and early adopters in the United States in 2013. Following mixed reception and public concerns, consumer release plans were halted in 2015, and development was shifted to a new division under Tony Fadell of Nest Labs. The project ultimately informed later enterprise-focused iterations under the Google Glass Enterprise Edition branding.

Technology

The core optical technology was a miniature projector that displayed images onto a small prism, which then reflected the light directly into the user's eye, creating the illusion of a floating screen. It featured a bone conduction transducer for audio, allowing users to hear sounds without traditional earphones. The device was powered by a Texas Instruments OMAP processor and connected via Bluetooth to a paired Android or iOS device for full functionality. Sensors including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer enabled precise head-tracking and orientation awareness.

Features

Primary interaction was achieved through voice commands activated by the phrase "ok glass," enabling actions like taking a photograph, recording video, or initiating a Google Hangouts call. A key feature was real-time turn-by-turn navigation with directions overlaid on the street view. It could provide instant translations, display flight status information, and send messages via SMS or Gmail. Users could also perform Google Search queries and receive results hands-free, and the device integrated with various third-party applications through the Mirror API.

Development

The initial Explorer program involved a select group of "Glass Explorers" who paid a premium to test the device and develop software. Prominent early partners included The New York Times, CNN, and Twitter. The development kit, or GDK, was later released to allow for more native application development beyond the web-based Mirror API. After the consumer pause, the team, led by Ivy Ross, refocused efforts on workplace applications, collaborating with companies like DHL, GE Aviation, and AGCO to create tailored solutions for logistics, assembly, and field service.

Reception

The project received a polarized response, winning accolades like a TIME "Best Inventions of the Year" award while also facing intense criticism over privacy concerns, leading to the derogatory nickname "glasshole" and bans in establishments like Las Vegas casinos and cinemas. Reviewers from The Wall Street Journal and The Verge praised its innovative potential but cited issues with battery life, social acceptability, and a lack of compelling consumer use cases. Its legacy is seen in the subsequent growth of the enterprise AR market and influenced later devices from competitors like Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap.

Category:Google projects Category:Wearable computers Category:Augmented reality