Technology

Google Reveals Design for Virtual Reality Glasses — Would You Wear Them?

Last week, we reported that Google’s augmented-reality glasses were among the top five cool tech inventions to look forward to in 2012. Well, the prototype design for the high-tech spectacles has been released and it’s much slimmer than we could have imagined.

Google Unveils Prototype of Project Glass Augmented Reality Glasses

(Photo: Project Glass/Google+)

Posted on the project’s Google+ page, dubbed “Project Glass,” the Google X team unveiled the design to share their ideas and get feedback from you. Here’s what they say:

We’re sharing this information now because we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input. So we took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable you to do.

Here’s the project video:

In the promo video, Google shows how the glasses will put the virtual world before your very eyes, telling you that you have an appointment while you’re pouring coffee, letting you know the temperature as you look out the window and showing you texts while you eat your breakfast sandwich.

Google Unveils Prototype of Project Glass Augmented Reality Glasses

Google Unveils Prototype of Project Glass Augmented Reality Glasses

Gizmodo had the right idea when they made the comparison of Google's Project Glass to Star Trek character Geordi LaForge. (Image: Gizmodo)

Google isn’t the only one putting itself out there in the augmented-reality optics world. The Israeli-based company Lumus has created personal display, which it calls “completely natural-looking, see through eyewear“ that ”provides a new dimension for the human visual experience.” They‘re a bit clunkier compared to the design concept seen in Google’s Project Glass.

Google Unveils Prototype of Project Glass Augmented Reality Glasses

Watch this Reuters video showcasing the technology:

The glasses use LOE (light-guide optical element) technology to allow the wearer to do things such as watch TV or read an email without others even knowing what they’re doing. Another benefit the company touts is that the glasses provide “information flow” without impeding vision. And that’s not all, Lumus calls the fact that its glasses allow for an unlimited screen size its “most innovative and coolest feature.”

Have prescription lenses? Yep, you can still use this technology. Lumus says that it can be clipped onto prescription lenses or, alternatively, prescription lenses can be clipped onto it.

Ubergizmo reports that Lumus is currently working with smartphone and gaming companies to further this project.

[H/T Gizmodo]

Comments (57)

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  • Jayms
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:21am

    It doesn’t look any stranger than those Bluetooth headsets for audio. This is essentially the same thing, but for visual data.

    I would only use this if it was actually useful. Putting it on to see restaurant recommendations (from Facebook) floating in the air isn’t a good enough reason to look like a fool. But, if I’m a pilot and this gives me a HUD that displays valuable information, I could see this being useful. Or, perhaps it could be sold as a companion for night driving. Imagine the road lit up in your vision – they could even incorporate some kind of radar so that the road appears outlined ahead of you – this would be great on those rainy nights when you can’t see the road.

    Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:57pm

      The real question is what are the long term affects on your optics.

      Report Post »  
    • Petire
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:55pm

      the real question is how Google is going to use this in their evil plans to take over the world…

      Report Post » Petire  
  • Chi-Fawn
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:23am

    Oh neat!!!! Now people won’t have to wait for 2025 to be able to wire their houses up for VR. They can just wear the glasses. With news about how people can interact with things in their houses, people on TV and now VR glasses the future sounds absolutely incredible. Now the next step is to have some company make a longevity pill so people born in the generations that never had future-tech but who have been looking forward to having it can stick around to enjoy everything for as long as they like.

    Report Post »  
  • Wolf
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:22am

    I live in the real world, don’t need any foolishness like these to create a virtual reality.

    Report Post »  
    • ImMormon
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:43pm

      You seem so sad and bitter. No need to be negative and pessamistic all the time. Not a great way to live your life.

      Report Post » ImMormon  
  • One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:42am

    If they’re opposite sex between 21 and 50 xray vision I might contemplate it ;)

    Otherwise, no.

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • Ialmostforgot
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:04am

    Its all just too 2 dimensional for me!

    Report Post »  
  • schlepnier
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 6:30am

    I like lumus’s version quite a bit, it has very tactical applications, the google one is kinda meh for virtual reality.

    Report Post » schlepnier  
  • RedMage
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 2:32am

    Want!

    Report Post » RedMage  
  • Cemetery
    Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:07am

    All this crap is going to make us go blind.

    Report Post » Cemetery  
  • Ginger Taylor
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:56pm

    But what if I don’t want to become Borg?

    Report Post »  
  • TheSitRep
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:35pm

    I am in sign me up.

    Report Post » TheSitRep  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:28pm

    The young (<30) will have no problem with this. They do not understand what big brother is.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • SurfinRallylizard
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:05pm

    So at worst, when LE tracks everything we do, they get to “download” our video if they place us in the vicinity of a crime because that would be considered “evidence” right…?? or at best, its just a great way for google to throw ads at u everywhere u walk…. no thanks

    Report Post » SurfinRallylizard  
  • burnbabylon
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:04pm

    CAUTION Objects in glasses may be fake.

    Report Post »  
  • bw3131
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:56pm

    Reminds me of the “Weather Rocks” old timers in the mountains would sell to tourist,
    1) If rock is wet it is raining.
    2) If rock cast shadow it is sunny.
    3) if rock feels cold it is cold.
    Anyway you get the idea, useless crap, to entertain the easily entertained, and make a buck.

    Report Post » bw3131  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:53pm

    I can feel my brain atrophying already. Can people not remember ANYTHING or figure anything out on their own anymore???

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • sizzler2220
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:48pm

    I would like to eat breakfast without text flashing before my eyes. A good way to follow your every move.

    Report Post »  
  • changedone
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:23pm

    And since Google is allied with the CIA in tracking people’s web use, this whole idea of this thing is suspect, to say the very least. This is total dumbing down. So what if everyone of your cyber friends think the coffee shop being displayed has watered down coffee. The senitment is “Oh, your friends don’t like this! Don’t you want to go somewhere else!” Go try it for yourself and see if it’s true. The adventures in life are only experienced when you don’t “go along with the tribe.”

    Report Post »  
  • a113dean
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:23pm

    That is extremely cool, yet extremely creepy at the same time. I’m not sure about this.

    Report Post » a113dean  
    • Dabldo
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:56pm

      Ditto. Just what we all need…… more info overload. And we thought txting and driving was bad? This is mankinds way of getting rid of those who can’t multitask. ‘course it will take a few others with ’em. You can’t make an omelet w/o breaking a few eggs, etc,etc,etc.

      Report Post »  
  • Onowicit
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:22pm

    I’ll hold out till 2G, then save, ignore 3G, buy 4G.

    I can’t wait until all the windows in my house are computer screens and I will be able to program them to what I want the world to look like.

    Report Post » Onowicit  
  • Old_Bones
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:46pm

    If I can see through girls clothes, I’m in. (I might settle for surfing porn)

    Report Post » Old_Bones  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:48pm

      @Old_Bones
      Your name should be oldboner hahahaahahhaha. sorry couldn’t help it.

      Report Post » Onowicit  
  • TelepromoterNChief
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:45pm

    I’m holding out for the Google contact lense, bar code tattoo and nanotechnology chip implant thank you very much.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:51pm

      LOL :) Remember the X-Ray Glasses that they advertised in the back of magazines?

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • TelepromoterNChief
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:09pm

      One hopes they will bring them back, but actually work this time.

      Report Post »  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:41pm

    NO!!! Google is evil and supports the traitor in the white house. I don‘t use them and won’t purchase anything they make. I wouldn’t even use it if it was free!!!

    Use this search engine:
    http://gibiru.com

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • bw3131
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:03pm

      Tried it typed in 243 bullet prices, every ad came up with “ads powered by google” ? whats up with that?

      Report Post » bw3131  
  • christos
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:37pm

    Creepy eliminates memory,,,individuality,,welcome to their New World Order,,,no brain needed,,,all brick,,,yet they forgot one thing the Mortar,,,+JESUS+GOD+.

    Report Post » christos  
    • Ruckus_Tom
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:36pm

      Brave New World.

      Keep everyone dazzled with the shiny, sparkly gadgets like this, stoned on soma (legalized pot and / or Colt 40s), with government taking care of everything for us and we have ourselves a Brave New World.

      Take away all the shiny, sparkly stuff and the soma and we’ll have ourselves 1984.

      ”
      Living standards

      In 1984, the society of Airstrip One lives in poverty; hunger, disease and filth are the norms and ruined cities and towns the consequence of the civil war, the atomic wars and purported enemy (but quite possibly self-serving Oceanian) rockets.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four
      ”

      Drones flying over the US? Unlawful war (no, not in Afghanistan or Iraq) in Libya? Medical marijuana stores opening up all over the place? The over prescription of pain pills (instead of an operation to fix a problem)? Everyone getting on Twitter, Facebook and Google so they’re all tied in (no family needed)? The destruction of the middle class by redistributing wealth, destroying the dollar and massive debt?

      Naw, couldn’t happen here.

      “Under the spreading Chestnut Tree … I sold you and you sold me”.

      Report Post »  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:08pm

      @Ruckus_Tom
      so well said. I am rereading Brave new world as of yesterday. If you have never read “Amusing ourselves to death” by Niel Postman, you need too (everyone should). If you don’t read it at least google the forward of the book. It is a juxtaposition of Brave new world VS Orwell’s 1984. You hit the nail on the head with your comments.

      Report Post » Onowicit  
    • Ruckus_Tom
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:25am

      @Onowicit. Very good forward. TV was and is a huge contributor for things going the way they are. Gotta keep things visual and vacant.

      The Jerry Springer Show? Oafra?

      It’s been going on since the beginning of time. There are those who wish to control and those who want to be left alone. And there are all those in the middle who get manipulated, usually, by the control freaks to attack those who want to be left alone.

      “He’ll bring the masses bread and circuses … And they’ll love him for it”. Ancient Rome.

      Report Post »  
    • christos
      Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:50pm

      To RUCKUS__TOM–Great post enjoyed reading it,and so True…

      Report Post » christos  
  • GIRL
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:29pm

    There is such a thing as too much technology, and I believe we’re there.

    Report Post »  
    • alexegz30
      Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:45pm

      Nah. Technology has never been a problem. It’s how people act around it. Cell phones are a great resource when used properly. Back before the computer generation there were still people who got into car accidents because they were reading the paper, a magazine, or scribbling notes while driving. There’s no difference other than the tech. People are the ones in need of advancement.

      It seems that too many are just getting more and more irresponsible. I don’t blame a cell phone or VR glasses for an accident. I blame the inattentive user who doesn’t realize how to focus their attention to the task at hand.

      Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:26pm

    Ah…I always wanted to have that cool shade that the grumpy-looking alien from the last starfighter had…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U7rOUSvYM8

    Report Post » KickinBack  
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