Developments to watch: Google Glass

Intelligence in your eyeglasses: Readability, interface, and batteries may take some getting used to and could benefit from improvements. Still, the idea behind Google Glass has a lot of potential. Have you tried them? Do you have a pair? See photos, short video clip, and add your comments.

By Mark T. Hoske June 9, 2014

Thinking this might be a possible future for human-machine interfaces, I finally tried Google Glass, after seeing several demonstrations. (See short video clip above and images and comments below.)

Our local Gail Borden Public Library bought a pair of glasses for $1,500. During heavy use by many patrons during a three-hour session, it needed to be charged twice. When it was my turn, I asked Google Glass to go to the Control Engineering website. It searched for troll engineering. I obviously started speaking before it was ready. I found the images in the viewer to be small and especially difficult for me to see, without squinting. (I’m near-sighted and would need Google Glass with my prescription included.) I regret not being able to try more mobile compatibility functions, such as pairing with an Android or iOS device, before passing it to the next patron.

Nonetheless, wider use of mobile, Internet-connected computers integrated into eyewear or headgear is a development to watch. Beyond just being cool, it’s likely to improve productivity in an increasing number of manufacturing applications. More than a year ago, I watched a demonstration of a Motorola wearable headset computer. It was larger and more suited to industrial applications. I’m sure that product have progressed in capabilities since then, as well.

Learn more about Google Glass: https://support.google.com/glass 

See related discussions with this article online.

– Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com, with thanks to Denise Hoske for holding the video camera, while I tried them on and tried to focus. (We didn’t record the parts with the squinting, scrolling, and navigation.)


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See related articles linked at the bottom.

Engineering interaction: (Add your comments below.) Have you tried them? Do you have a pair? What are you impressions? Could these help manufacturing be more efficient without adding risk?


Author Bio: Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.