Super Team D: Project Glass, by Google

Fact-Based Description:

            Google's Project Glass is an augmented reality, head-mounted display (HMD). (Ulanoff 2013) This means that graphics are taken from the display and integrated into your field-of-view, thus blurring the line of what is reality. (Bonsor 2011) Visually, the HMD resembles the frame of a pair of glasses, with a single half-inch lens and a small touch pad in the upper right corner. (Google 2013) The lens acts as a camera and display, presenting information like emails, texts, maps, and video calls. (Google 2013) The lens rests just above the eye, and does not disrupt your vision. The device is controlled by voice commands, eye gestures, and the touch-pad  giving the option for hands-free or hands-on access and sharing of information. (Google 2013)

            Project Glass will use a version of Google's Android operating system. (The Guardian 2012) Google also hopes to integrate digital projectors for keyboards and keypads, as well as use bone conduction technology (vibrations sent into the wearer's ear bone) for audio purposes. (Holly 2013) This allows the user to be the only one to hear the notifications. (Holly 2013) Google has said that Project Glass will eventually have a cellular radio, so it can connect online; at this point, it tethers wirelessly with your cell-phone for an online connection. (Citation?) The main purpose of Project Glass is to share and enable instant access to information.

Acquisition Information:

            As the name Google's Project Glass suggests, it is made by Google. Google Glass is in the prototype phase at the moment. (The Guardian 2012) Two "Glass Foundry" conferences were held at the beginning of 2013 in San Francisco and New York. (The Guardian 2013) The Glass Foundry signifies the release date for developers. (The Guardian 2013) Developers who attended the "Glass Foundry" conference were able to purchase a pair of these innovative glasses for a whopping $1,500. (The Guardian 2013) Sergy Brin,  a co-founder of Google, is hoping the glasses will be made available to the public by the end of 2013. (Chaey 2013) The glasses will also be available for consumers at a cheaper price; however, while they will cost less than $1,500, they will be more expensive than a Smartphone. (The Guardian 2013) Google also had a promotional pre-release of their glasses which included an application process for those interested. (Clark 2013) These applications are now closed. (Google 2013)

            Businesses who adopt Google Glass will not need to have anything else but a smart phone or a computer in order for them to work. Google Glass stores information using Cloud technology and syncs using the Android operating system. (Funaro 2013) Any business using Cloud storage technology with Android will be able to seamlessly adopt this new, innovative technology. Company's who do not use Google systems will have to adopt them. (Funaro 2013) Unlike large computer databases for companies, information created using Google Glass is stored in the Cloud. (Funaro 2013) This implication for businesses is huge as they will no longer have to have large storage facilities to hold their databases.

Application:

            Google Glass will revolutionize the way clinicians use technology to treat patients and deliver high quality care. Google Glass paired with existing technologies can significantly improve the way medical professionals interact with their patients and their surroundings. The areas of medical care that have the most potential to be impacted by Google’s new technology are health information delivery, order taking, and data storage. (Chouffani 2012)

            Displaying patients’ vitals by the surgeon’s Google Glasses would be possible during surgeries. This convenience would also be possible as physicians are performing their rounds: information specific to a particular patient such as the patient’s name, laboratory test statistics, and other test results would appear on the glasses of the physician as they entered different rooms. This allows for more timely and informed decisions, increasing the quality of care and reducing costs. (Chouffani 2012)

            With the availability of intelligent voice recognition through Google’s Project Glass, a physician can place orders and record patient encounters without physical contact with a keyboard or the use of transcription services. This would assist working with electronic health records, and allow a structured format for information storage in medical databases. (Chouffani 2012)

            The collection of patient data can be stored in powerful Cloud computing systems like Project Glass and wearing Google Glasses will provide physicians with vast amounts of patient and medical information. (Chouffani 2012) Physicians can use the Google Glass platform to recall previous patient interactions, allowing them to immediately view relevant patient information and aide them in decision making based on ample, comprehensive data that is stored in the Cloud. (Chouffani 2012)

Challenges:

            Like many new technologically advanced products, there are still a few bugs and glitches in the glasses that will need to be worked out. (The Guardian 2013) Additionally, due to their sleek design and small size, battery life is an issue. (The Guardian 2013) Google is currently working on extending the battery life to allow people to wear the glasses all day. (The Guardian 2013) Market adoption may also be challenging for Google since it uses the Android operating system and Google applications, making it difficult for users of the Apple operating system to integrate their technologies. This could be a potential deterrent when deciding whether or not to adopt the technology. (The Guardian 2013)

Competition:

            Project Glass now has two competitors: Smart Glasses and Golden-i. The main competitor, Smart Glasses, made by Vuzix, and they are for the same target market and have similar functions. They run with the Android operating system, but also support iOS devices. (Hearn 2012) Additionally, their price is much more appealing than Google's. (Hearn 2012) Kopin and Ikanos Consulting's Golden-i targets some similar markets as Project Glass. (MacManus 2013) Golden-i is mainly used for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other professional users. (MacManus 2013) Additional competitors are also on the horizon: Apple and Microsoft have previously applied for the patent of wearable technology, but they were just granted this patent recently. (Gilbert 2012) It is said that they are planning to develop a similar device. (Gilbert 2012)

            Overall, Google's Project Glass seems to be a promising, cutting-edge innovation with a big future. It will be interesting to how see the adoption of this technology will revolutionize the medical field and, by extension, mainstream society.

Blog Bibliography

"Google Glass - If I Had Glass." Google. http://www.google.com/glass/start/how-to-get-one/ (accessed March 3, 2013).

"Google Glass - What It Does." Google. http://www.google.com/glass/start/what-it-does/ (accessed March 3, 2013).

"Google's Project Glass made available to developers | Technology | guardian.co.uk."  Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/jun/28/google-project-glass-available-to-developers (accessed February 1, 2013).

Bonsor, Kevin. "HowStuffWorks "How Augmented Reality Will Work"." HowStuffWorks "Learn how Everything Works!". http://www.howstuffworks.com/augmented-reality.htm (accessed February 1, 2013).

Chaey, Christina. "Google Glass Will Be On Sale By End Of 2013, Cost Less Than $1,500 | Fast Company." Fast Company. http://www.fastcompany.com/3006189/fast-feed/google-glass-will-be-sale-end-2013-cost-less-1500 (accessed March 3, 2013).

Chouffani, Reda. "Google Glass meets RTLS, NLP, and big data the hospital of the future - Meaningful Health Care Informatics Blog." Health IT and Electronic Health information, news and tips - SearchHealthIT.com. http://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/healthitexchange/meaningfulhealthcareinformaticsblog/google-glass-meets-rtls-nlp-and-big-data-the-hospital-of-the-future/ (accessed March 3, 2013).

Clark, Matt. "Everything You Need to Know About Google Glass - IGN." Video Games, Wikis, Cheats, Walkthroughs, Reviews, News & Videos - IGN. http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/02/27/everything-you-need-to-know-about-google-glass (accessed February 27, 2013).

Funaro, Vincent. "Google Glass Release Date on Track for Early 2013." Christian News, The Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/news/google-glass-release-date-on-track-for-early-2013-87560/ (accessed February 1, 2013).

Gilbert, Jason. "Google Glass By Apple? Patent Shows An Apple-Made Glasses Rival Could Be In The Works." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/google-glass-apple-patent_n_1651176.html (accessed February 1, 2013).

Hearn, Mark. "Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 to battle Google Glass for Android eyewear supremacy." Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/13/vuzix-smart-glasses-m100-announce/ (accessed February 1, 2013).

Holly, Russell. "How sound works on Google's Project Glass | Gadgets | Geek.com." Geek.com. http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/how-sound-works-on-googles-project-glass-2012127/ (accessed March 4, 2013).

MacManus, Christopher. "Golden-i headset could change the way people save lives | CES 2013: Gadgets - CNET Blogs." CES 2013. http://ces.cnet.com/8301-34441_1-57563301/golden-i-headset-could-change-the-way-people-save-lives/ (accessed February 1, 2013).

Price, Emily. "Google Glass to Hit Developers' Hands This Month." Mashable. http://mashable.com/2013/01/15/google-glass-developers/ (accessed February 1, 2013).

Ulanoff, Lance. "Google Glass (And Sergey Brin) Ride the NYC Subway." Mashable. http://mashable.com/2013/01/21/google-glasses-on-nyc-subway/ (accessed February 1, 2013).

Podcast Bibliography

Baldwin, Roberto. "Google Glasses Face Serious Hurdles, Augmented-Reality Experts Say | Gadget Lab | Wired.com." wired.com . http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/04/augmented-reality-experts-say-google-glasses-face-serious-hurdles/ (accessed February 5, 2013).

Brianbuntz Published: April, and  2012. "Potential Medical Applications of Google's Augmented Reality Project | Medical Electronics Design." Medical Electronics Design. http://www.medicalelectronicsdesign.com/blog/medblog/what-will-medical-and-health-applications-be-google-goggles (accessed February 15, 2013).

Chouffani, Reda . "Google Glass meets RTLS, NLP, and big data the hospital of the future - Meaningful Health Care Informatics Blog." Health IT and Electronic Health information, news and tips - SearchHealthIT.com. http://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/healthitexchange/meaningfulhealthcareinformaticsblog/google-glass-meets-rtls-nlp-and-big-data-the-hospital-of-the-future/ (accessed February 17, 2013).

Malinowski, Erik. "Video: Goggle Display Delivers Real-Time Data to Snow Runs | Gadget Lab | Wired.com." wired.com . http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/01/video-mod-live-micro-optics-display/ (accessed February 5, 2013).

"Robert H. Smith School of Business - University of Maryland, College Park." Robert H. Smith School of Business - University of Maryland, College Park. http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/news/releases/2009/030909.aspx (accessed February 14, 2013).

Wasserman, Todd. "Google Glass Coming to Consumers in 2014." Mashable. http://mashable.com/2012/06/28/brin-google-glass-2014/ (accessed February 26, 2013).

Wasserman, Todd. "How Google Glass Could Change Advertising." Mashable. http://mashable.com/2013/01/23/google-glass-advertising/ (accessed February 26, 2013).

Images

"Google Glass ." Google. http://www.google.com/glass/start/ (accessed March 3, 2013).