Patent details augmented reality features of Google Glass

Google glass augmented reality glasses wearable technology

Google augmented reality glassesGoogle continues to invest in augmented reality

Google has regained prominence in the augmented reality field after a turbulent 2012 wherein the company’s Project Glass had been unlikely to include the interactive technology. Glass has been billed as a new generation of augmented reality eyewear, but in mid-2012, Google suggested that the initial release of the glasses may not actually have augmented reality properties. This lead to staunch criticism from consumers and Google seems to have changed in stance on this issue, making efforts to tout the augmented reality capabilities of Glass once again.

Patent highlights navigation features of Glass

Google has been granted a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office concerning one of the features of Glass. Among the various features that are expected to be included in the eyewear is navigation assistance. Glass is expected to be equipped with GPS technology that will take advantage of the location-based services developed by Google, such as Maps Navigation and Street View. The patent awarded to Google details how this particular feature will take form and what role augmented reality has to play therein.

Glass could be useful to drivers, if they are allowed to use the eyewear

The patent notes that augmented reality will be used to overlay navigation services onto the real world, allowing Glass users to see these navigational services as though they were part of a natural environment. Google is designing these features to be as unobtrusive as possible so that Glass can be of use to drivers. This may be a problem, however, as some states in the U.S. have already been passing laws that ban drivers from using Glass under any circumstances; and Glass has not yet been released to the market.

Augmented reality continues to fascinate consumers

Augmented reality has been growing in interest among consumers as it enables them to experience the world in a new way. Google has taken note of the prospects of augmented reality and has invested heavily into the development of Project Glass in order to see the most benefit from the use of the technology. Whether Glass will be a success with consumers, however, has yet to be seen.

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