The new Google smart glasses teased at Google I/O 2022

(Image credit: Google)
  • Google has announced that it's taking its AR prototypes outside closed testing spaces.
  • The company wants to test its AR devices in real-world conditions to work out the variables.
  • These devices won't include photography or videography features.

A lot of helpful features to its phones can be found in the augmented reality application. The company is bringing its prototypes to the public for testing.

It doesn't mean that everyone can get their hands on these prototypes. Public exposure could help improve its augmented reality hardware in real life scenarios.

"This will allow us to better understand how these devices can help people in their day to day lives," said Payne. It will help us take factors such as weather and busy intersections into account, which can be hard to recreate indoors.

At the I/O 2022, the search giant showed off a prototype of an augmented reality device, but it was much less noticeable than the real thing. The device was shown in the demo video to be able to translate conversations in real-time.

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The prototypes won't include photography or videography capabilities. Privacy can be difficult to navigate when it comes to certain flavors of smart glasses, and it's likely that the same scrutiny it received with the original Glass.

The cameras will be used to aid in providing navigation features. The image data is deleted if it will be used for analysis and testing. After 30 days, these images will be deleted.

Google AR prototypes

(Image credit: Google)

The testing will be limited to a small group of people, who must be trained in privacy and safety. There are limits on how they can engage with the prototypes in the U.S.

Creating safe, trusted, and helpful augmented reality products and services is more than just about the user. Various measures have been put in place to protect the privacy of onlookers.