Google Glass is a new generation of tech gadgetry in the form of augmented reality eyeglasses for a variety of businesses. From manufacturing to logistics, Google Glass gives employees the ability to utilize technology through a lens while not having to stop working on their tasks. Google claims that Glass allows employees to stay focused, improve accuracy and collaborate in real time.
How it works:
Google Glass is a wearable, voice- and motion-controlled Android device that resembles a pair of eyeglasses and displays information directly in the user's field of vision.
Google Glass offers an augmented reality experience by using visual, audio and location-based inputs to provide relevant information. For example, upon entering an airport, a user could automatically receive flight status information.
Glassware allows the device to deliver an app to the user, instead of a full desktop. The glasses have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and a camera for taking photographs and videos.
The smart eyewear uses motion and voice recognition to process commands from the wearer. A touchpad is also available on the glasses' rim. To provide the requested information, the device relies on sending small packages of information straight to the wearer through a micro-projector, using a private channel of communication that can only be accessed by the user.
Google Glass then uses a field sequential color (FSC) liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) system to display images on the lens, allowing wearers to view the image in true colors. FSC refers to a color television system that transmits the primary color information in continuous images and then relies on the human's vision and perception to collect the information into a color picture. LCOS is a form of video display technology. Other features of Google Glass include:
• The ability to take photos and videos and then share exactly what the user is seeing through Google Hangouts.
• The option to use the Google search engine through the glasses, using Wi-Fi or a smartphone's data connection.
• The ability to have translations streamed straight to the wearer through the screen.
• Reminders to complete certain chores or tasks with an added visual aspect that will prompt a notification to appear on the user's screen every time they look at a particular object.
• The ability to sync the glasses to calendars stored on phones or computers in order to receive reminders of events and meetings.
• Support of both voice and video calls. In the video calls, wearers can show the other person exactly what they're looking at instead of talking face-to-face.
• The ability to answer emails and text messages using voice dictation.
• Collaboration with Google Maps to provide step-by-step directions with a map displayed on the screen.
• The ability to respond to facial and head movements, such as allowing the user to tilt their head to scroll through a page or operate the device with eye movements.
From its inception:
When the first version was launched in 2013, consumers immediately voiced their concern of the glasses being an invasion of privacy. Google Glass represented inescapable recording in everyday life. At first, Google attempted to rebrand the glasses as a tool for professionals such as surgeons or factory workers. However, concern remained and Google ceased all work on the Glass project in 2015.
In 2017 work resumed with Glass Enterprise Edition. This relaunch of the project focused all efforts on making a product that would benefit workplaces like factories and warehouses.
Glass Enterprise Edition 2:
In 2019, a new version of Google Glass was released -- the Glass Enterprise Edition 2. In these settings, the glasses provide the benefit of saving time, money and increasing safety.
Workers' safety is improved by the hands free feature and ability to stay connected to the network at all times.
Another benefit is the fact that the head mounted display is always accessible in the user's field of vision. Therefore, wearers can receive and send information and notifications without having to physically check a smartphone or mobile device.
The potential use of Google Glass by children with autism is another benefit of the device. Various studies are researching how Google Glass might be used to improve social interactions for kids with autism.
Google Glass has transformed the medical field. It has facilitated to doctors, staffs and patients.
7 ways Google Glass is revolutionizing healthcare:
Almost all of the technology incorporated into Google Glass, (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cameras, voice activation etc.) is already available on smartphones today. The key difference will be how we interact with this technology when these features are available in our peripheral vision. Besides from the entertainment value of Google Glass, several early adopters have been trialing the Google Glass Explorer edition to research the benefits the product may hold for medical professionals and patients. Read on to discover the top 7 ways Google Glass is revolutionizing healthcare.
1. Data Access
What could be simpler than walking into a hospital room to find that important, up to date data about the patient inside is automatically displayed in the corner of your eye? This is the Google Glass vision. The most highly publicized use of Google Glass in healthcare so far has involved surgical procedures. Phillips and Accenture Technology lab have teamed up to help surgeons view patients’ vital statistics, such as heart rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure on the Google Glass display. This hands free, voice activated system eliminates the need during surgical procedures to turn around to check a computer monitor.
2. Hands-free equals clean hands
Critically, wearable technology such as Glass reduces the need for healthcare professionals to touch devices before or after dealing with a patient. Studies have shown that keyboards, smart phones and other electronic devices used on a regular basis are usually teeming with harmful bacteria. Chances are your iPhone is filthier than the average public toilet seat.
With thousands of patients falling ill each year through viruses picked up in hospitals, it is vital that each healthcare professional keeps their hands as clean as possible. Google Glass might also work with Microsoft Kinect technology, which will allow surgeons and other healthcare professionals to select and modify data on a screen with movement sensors, i.e. just by waving a hand in front of the monitor.
3. Emergency Situations
This is an area with massive potential. The Glass platform allows users to view and live stream video recordings in a way that has never been simpler. Consider these situations:
• A Google Glass user in the street may happen to record a car accident; the user can then contact Emergency Services and live stream the incident as it unfolds.
• A woman at home finds her husband has collapsed and is not breathing. She calls an ambulance and in the meantime follows instructions for performing chest compressions. She does this with the help of a first aid video from NHS Choices displayed on Google Glass.
• A visiting nurse, social worker or paramedic who does not have the same expertise as hospital specialists can live stream a video of the patient and receive help and guidance in assessing the situation.
• A surgeon stumbles upon a tricky situation mid-procedure and requires immediate assistance from a fellow surgeon in a different hospital, perhaps on the other side of the world.
4. Educational Resource: This device and its platform, are certainly intuitive tools that have a great potential in Healthcare, and specifically for surgery, could allow better intra-operative consultations, surgical mentoring and potentiate remote medical education, in a very simple way.” By live streaming an operation to Google Hang Out as Grossman has done, students can have a much better insight into the challenges involved during each procedure and may feel more prepared for the next stage of development in the medical profession.
On the issue of privacy, Grossman explains how he was able to work around this issue by obtaining proper consent before the operation, and ensuring that no personal information was revealed during the recording.
5. Reducing Errors
A simple human error, a momentary lapse of concentration on the part of a healthcare could have tragic results. Doctors and nurses are often tired and overworked, which is why disruptive technology to instill safeguards could save lives. Alerts and reminders will be displayed in Google Glass for health workers with hectic schedules. When administering prescription pills, a pharmacist or nurse in a hospital or care home Google Glass will automatically scan the barcode for medication and compare this with the patient health record in front of them. Instructions for recommended dosage will also be displayed. A Google Glass app could instantly alert the health worker if any mistakes have been made.
7. Just for Patients
Just like smartphones have basic functions and additional apps, Google Glass has ‘Glassware’. Glass wearers may display a Yoga class video for example, helpful when performing a ‘downward dog’ or other stretches that requires the user to take their eyes off a screen. Glass wearers may also want to scan barcodes in supermarkets to help with meal planning. As health and fitness self-tracking apps are already some of the most popular on the market today, it’s likely that Glassware will change the way we approach our health and fitness once again.
‘Leading provider of Fitness equipment’ Fitstream, show what a fitness Glassware app will look like while wearing the glasses.
Glassware could have enormous benefits for disabled users. Google Glass could tell a partially sighted user if they are holding a can of soup or a can of beans, perhaps even read the contents of a letter. Deaf users may eventually have a running commentary displayed on Google Glass. Autistic users might be given information on what emotions people are displaying by Glass analyzing their facial expressions.
Google Glass seems like something that could only be imagined in futuristic fantasy films, but now bringing revolution in workplaces. Maybe next edition is for personal usage and changing the whole lifestyle mankind.