What is Google’s Project Glass?

In the beginning of this month Google announced commencement of Project Glass –an augmented reality research and development project. For sure, Google has been working on the project for past some time –but the official announcement came now.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality (AR) is a concept in which the real world environment is augmented with the computer generated data, sound and video etc. Therefore, the real world is said to be increased (augmented) with the help of computer. The integration of real world with the information from computer is seamless and it creates a virtual reality environment –called augmented reality.

The Glass Project

Google’s Glass project is aiming at building a head-mounted device through which the user will be able to see the world combined with information from various Google services. The device will be able to show you directions, map your location, take voice commands, buy stuff online, take photos and videos, do voice and video chat and provide you almost every information that you need at a given point of time.

To make all this easily understandable Google has released the following video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6W4CCU9M4

Google has also created a page for the project on Google Plus. The page says “We think technology should work for you—to be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don’t”

As you might know, Google has a secret laboratory for such kind of futuristic projects. This lab is called Google X and the Glass project is part of this lab.

SEE ALSO: Google X: Future Investigating Super Secret Research Lab

Google X lab is also testing self-driving cars. New York Times reported that the Glass project will make the head mounted devices available in market by the end of this year. The device is expected to cost as much as a smart phone costs nowadays. It is expected that these devices would run on Google’s Android operating system.