Abstract

The emergence of Google Glass, a prototype for a transparent

Heads-Up Display (HUD) worn over one eye, is significant. It is the
first conceptualization of a mainstream augmented reality
wearable eye display by a large company. This paper argues that
Glasss birth is not only a marketing phenomenon heralding a
technical prototype, it also argues and speculates that Glasss
popularization is an instigator for the adoption of a new paradigm
in human-computer interaction, the wearable eye display. Google
Glass is deliberately framed in media as the brainchild of Google
co-founder Sergey Brin. Glasss process of adoption operates in the
context of mainstream and popular culture discourses, such as the
Batman myth, a phenomenon that warrants attention.
Project Glass is a research and development program by Google to
develop an augmented reality Head-Mounted Display (HMD). The
intended purpose of Project Glass products would be the handsfree displaying of information currently available to most
smartphone users, and allowing for interaction with the Internet
via natural language voice commands. These glasses will have the
combined features of virtual reality and augmented reality. Google
glasses are basically wearable computers that will use the same
Android software that powers Android smartphones and tablets.
Google Glass is as futuristic a gadget weve seen in recent times. A
useful technology for all kinds of people including
handicapped/disabled.

Chapter-1
INTRODUCTION
Smart glasses are computing devices worn in front of the eyes.
Evidently their displays move with the users head, which leads to
the users seeing the display independently of his or her position
and orientation. Therefore smart glasses or lenses are the only
devices which can alter or enhance the wearers vision no matter
where he/she is physically located and where he/she looks. There
are three different paradigms of how to alter the visual
information a wearer perceives. Those three are introduced here:
Virtual reality: The goal is to create a fully virtual world for the
user to see, interact with and immerse into. The user sees this
virtual world only; any other light sources are not affecting the
eye. One signicant difference to a simple screen is that the
actions of the user affect the virtual world. In example movement
affects what virtual content the user sees. A famous ctional
example of a device creating a virtual world is the Holodeck from
Star Trek.

1.1 Augmented reality:

The world is enhanced or augmented by virtual objects as seen in
gure 1. The user can see the real world but also perceives virtual
content created by a computing device and displayed by an
additional light source which doesnt prohibit the perception of
the real world. Interaction with those virtual objects is a way of
communicating with the computing devices.

1.2 Diminished reality:

Objects are subtracted from scenes by ltering the light reected

or emitted by those objects towards the eye. This is most often
used in combination with augmented reality to replace the
diminished objects by some virtual objects. Like other smart
devices, smart glasses will often also have a camera. Signicant
differences to other camera devices are that the pictures or
videos are taken from the users point of view, there is no need for

the user to hold the device in his hands and the vision of the user
is not occluded. This camera can see what the wearer sees at any
time. In combination with eye tracking technology the devices can
determine exactly what the wearer is looking at. This allows the
device to get crucial information about the users interests,
activities, surroundings and occupation. Those fundamental
differences to other computing devices are what make smart
glasses unique and interesting. They enable new applications
which couldnt be as easily realized with other devices.

CHAPTER-2
DEVELOPMENT OF GOOGLE GLASS
Google Glass was developed by Google X
Google Glass is smaller and slimmer than previous head-mounted
display designs.
The Google Glass prototype resembled standard eyeglasses with
the lens replaced by a head-up display. In mid-2011, Google
engineered a prototype that weighed 8 pounds (3.6 kg); by 2013
they were lighter than the average pair of sunglasses.
In April 2013, the Explorer Edition was made available to Google
I/O developers in the United States for $1,500.

A Glass prototype
The product was publicly announced in April 2012. Sergey
Brin wore a prototype of the Glass to an April 5, 2012, Foundation
Fighting Blindness event in San Francisco. In May 2012, Google
demonstrated for the first time how Google Glass could be used to
shoot video.
Google provided four prescription frame choices for $225 and free
with the purchase of any new Glass unit. Google entered in a
partnership with the Italian eyewear company Luxottica, owners
of the Ray-Ban, Oakley, and other brands, to offer additional
frame designs. In June 2014, Nepal Government adopted Google
Glass for tackling poachers of wild animals and herbs of Chitwan
International Park and other parks listed under World heritage

sites. Gurkha Military currently uses Google Glass to track the

animals and birds in the jungle. This operation led to the latest
development in military operation. Google Glass was used in
military for the first time in the world by Nepal.
In January 2015, Google ended the beta period of Glass (the
"Google Glass Explorer" program).
Release date
In early 2013, interested potential Glass users were invited to use
a Twitter message, with hash tag #IfIHadGlass, to qualify as an
early user of the product. The qualifiers, dubbed "Glass Explorers"
and numbering 8,000 individuals, were notified in March 2013, and
were later invited to pay $1,500 and visit a Google office in Los
Angeles, New York or San Francisco, to pick up their unit following
"fitting" and training from Google Glass guides. On May 13, 2014,
Google announced a move to a "more open beta", via its Google
Plus page.
In February 2015, The New York Times reported that Google Glass
was being redesigned by former Apple executive Tony Fadell, and
that it would not be released until he deemed it to be "perfect."

CHAPTER-3
Technologies used
3.1 Wearable Computing:
Wearable computers, also known as body-borne computers are
miniature electronic devices that are worn by the bearer
under, with or on top of clothing. This class of wearable
technology has been developed for general or special purpose
information technologies and media development.
Wearable
computers are especially useful
for applications that require
more complex computational support than just hardware coded
logics.
One of the main features of a wearable computer is
consistency. There is a constant interaction between the
computer and user, i.e. there is no need to turn the device
on or off. Another feature is the ability to multi-task. It is not
necessary to stop what you are doing to use the device; it is
augmented into all other actions. These devices can be
incorporated by the user to act like a prosthetic. It can therefore
be an extension of the users mind and/or body.

3.2 Ambient Intelligence

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) refers to electronic
environments
that are sensitive and responsive to the presence of people.
Ambient intelligence is a vision on the future of consumer
electronics,
Telecommunications and computing
In an ambient intelligence world, devices work in concert to
support people in carrying out their everyday life activities, tasks
and rituals in easy, natural way using information and intelligence
that is hidden in the network connecting these devices.

As these devices grow smaller, more connected and more

integrated into our environment, the technology disappears into
our surroundings until only the user interface remains perceivable
by users.

3.3 Eye Tap Technology:

An Eye Tap is a device that is worn in front of the eye that acts as
a camera to record the scene available to the eye as well as a
display to superimpose a computer-generated imagery on the
original scene available to the eye. This structure allows the user's
eye to operate as both a monitor and a camera as the EyeTap
intakes the world around it and augments the image the user sees
allowing it to overlay computer-generated data over top of the
normal world the user would perceive. The EyeTap is a hard
technology to categorize under the three main headers for
wearable computing (Constancy, Augmentation, and Mediation) for
while it is in theory a constancy technology in nature it also has
the ability to augment and mediate the reality the user perceives.

3.4 Smart Grid Technology:

A smart grid is an electrical grid that uses information and

communications technology to gather and act on information, such
as information about the behaviors of suppliers and consumers, in
an automated fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability,
economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of
electricity.

3.5 4G Technology:

4G is the fourth generation of cell phone mobile communications

standards. It is a successor of the third generation (3G) standards.
A 4G system provides mobile ultra- broadband Internet access, for
example
to
laptops
with
USB
wireless
modems.

CHAPTER-4
WORKING OF GOOGLE GLASS
The device can probability to communicate with mobile phones
through Wi-Fi & Bluetooth and show contents on the video screen
also as answer the voice commands of the user. Google place along
a brief video demonstrating the options and apps of Google
glasses. It principally concentrates on the social networking,
navigation and communication. The video camera senses the
atmosphere and acknowledges the objects and folks around. The
complete operating of the Google glasses depends upon the user
voice commands itself.
Following are the components of Google glass:
1.
Video Display: Its options with the tiny video display
screen thats display the crop up hands free data.
2.
Camera: It additionally has the front facing video
camera with that photo and video is taken in it.
3.
Speaker: Google glasses are designed to be hands free
wearable device which will be build or receive calls too.
Therefore a speaker is additionally designed by the ear.
4.
Button: A single button on the spect of the frame the
glasses to figure with the physical bit input.
5.
Microphone: A mike is additionally place in, which
will take the voice commands of the user. This mike is
additionally used for having telecom communication.

CHAPTER-5
5.1 The capabilities of Google Glass
In addition to the aforementioned features, the device can
download and run a variety of apps, just as a Smartphone can.
These apps provide a glimpse at the device's current capabilities
and its potential future applications. For example, thanks to the
device's built-in camera, you can use Google Glass in tandem with
Google Hangouts to video chat with friends and show what you're
seeing. Google Maps allows you to navigate without looking down.
One popular function of the device is voice recognition. You can
use verbal commands to take pictures, browse the Internet and
even send text messages. But not everything can be done with a
voice command, so Google Glass also has a touchpad, with
additional controls, alongside one of the arms. Users can swipe
through displays showing recent phone calls and photos, as well as
read news, weather, sports scores, stock prices and more.

5.2 Google Glass specifications

Google advertises Glass as an almost science-fiction experience,
though the hardware it contains is actually quite modest. The
projected display is set to a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels, which
is on the low side for mobile devices. The built-in camera can take
pictures at a 5-megapixel quality and records videos at 720p, in
line with lower-end smartphones.
One significant issue with Google Glass is its battery life. Early
reviews reported that the device lasts only about 5 hours with
average use for instance, reading emails, and shooting short
videos and some photos. Taking longer videos or using Glass for
longer periods drained the battery even more quickly.
Google Glass is equipped with 16GB of flash storage and syncs
with Google drive in the cloud for added accessibility to the
photos and videos you take. Google Glass also comes with a micro
USB port for transferring files and charging the device.

The frame is lightweight and, according to Google, very robust,

though it comes with replacement nose pads for any accidental
breaking. Phone calls and other sounds are produced through
bone-conduction transfer, or by passing vibrations directly to your
skull to transmit sound to your ears.

CHAPTER-6
APPLICATIONS
6.1 INTENDED APPLICATIONS:
Head mounted displays such as Google Glass offer an almost
infinite number of possible applications in a wide variety of fields.
This section discusses some of the basic functionalities of Glass
and possible future applications.

5.1.1 Informational purposes

The sentence Glass should be there when you need it, and out of
the way when you don't, which is often used by Google in
explaining the philosophy behind Glass, summarizes one of the
most important features of the device; displaying useful
information in specific situations or contexts. Using current
Glassware it is already possible to view stock information, check
the weather forecast, read the latest news headlines and receive
fashion tips, but these applications are just the beginning. The
Restful Mirror API is perfect for quick exchange of information
derived from sources all over the Internet and seamlessly
integrates with popular Google services such as Google Calendar
and Maps. Because Glass contains a Wi-Fi chip and can be paired
with mobile devices, it is possible to use location-based services
providing the user with real-time information such as interesting
places nearby and public transport schedules. This also allows
third-parties to develop Glassware that makes it easy to locate
specific stores or order location-dependent services such as food
or a taxi. And while sitting in that taxi, the user can easily keep
track of the costs and predicted time of arrival. In the future, it
might even be possible to scan bar codes of products, resulting in
Glassware capable of finding reviews, comparing prices and
displaying general product information. This can, of course, be
combined with the user's current location in order to find better
deals nearby or display special offers and coupons. Another
application of Glass is the possibility to turn the device into the
ultimate 'how-to' guide capable of displaying step-by-step

instructions on a wide range of topics. Learning how to cook a

certain dish, repair a broken item or play the piano will be easier
than ever before. This application is also very promising in
providing people who are suffering from mental conditions such as
autism or dementia with an easy-to-understand manual for
common tasks or situations. Although Glass itself doesn't contain
sensors, it doesn't mean that external sensors can't be connected
to Glass using Bluetooth. This makes biofeedback applications
possible, measuring several body functions such as heart rate,
blood pressure and skin resistance. Results of these measurements
can be outputted to the user's Glass directly or can be used to
monitor the health of a patient in medical appliances. The use of
biofeedback is also very suitable in Glassware focusing on sport
and exercise. Users will be able to keep track of their progress,
speed, distance and burned calories. But aside from its use in
personal and medical applications, Glass is very promising for
professionals as well. Think of firefighters who can keep track of
their oxygen supply, receive detailed building-plans and monitor
the level of toxic gases while entering a burning property, or pilots
who receive real time information on weather conditions and
altitude. Glass might even prove to be helpful for order pickers
and postmen, making it easier to locate and deliver parcels.

6.1.2 Communication
Since Glass is equipped with a camera, microphone and bone
conductance transducer, it is a a very suitable device for
communication. Using Glass, it is possible to select a maximum of
ten contacts or groups with which messages and media can be
shared and phone calls can be made. Video calls with friends are
possible using Google+ hangout. This was one of the earliest
features of Glass and
was first presented at the Google I/O developers conference in
San Francisco where skydivers, assailers and mountain bikers
shared their points of view live with the audience. Although video
conferencing currently only works through Google+, it is not
unlikely that third-party application such as official Skype

Glassware will be released in the near future. Sending and

receiving status updates, pictures and videos to friends is possible
using third-party applications. Although most applications are still
very basic in functionality, there is already Glassware available for
major networks such as Facebook and Twitter. By connecting Glass
to an Android or iOS smartphone using Bluetooth, it is possible to
make and receive text messages and phone calls, transforming
Glass into a wireless headset. Since the Mirror API is based upon
Restful services, a possible application is exchanging resources
such as text and graphics during phonecalls. This allows remote
assistance which is extremely helpful in, for example, emergency
situations where the 911 operator can send easy-to-understand
instructions on how to perform first aid. Glass also supports
language processing, including real time translation of spoken text
into a wide variety of languages. Future appliances might include
Glassware capable of translating spoken text into subtitles which
would be extremely helpful for people suffering from hearing
impairments. But aside from natural languages, Glass might even
be able to communicate with machines in the future, extending
the user interface or displaying instructions on how to use a
specific function of the device. Glassware could be paired with
televisions and consoles in order to display additional information
while watching your favorite show or playing a game. In theory,
the communication with existing payment services such as Google
Wallet, PayPal and iDEAL is possible as well, although this might be
a bad idea concerning the current hack ability of Glass. (see
section 5 'Unintended Applications').

6.1.3 Media and Entertainment

A final application of Glass can be found in media and
entertainment. Glass can be used to take 5 megapixel pictures
and capture video at 720p quality, which makes the device perfect
to capture your everyday life on camera. Media recorded with

Glass can be stored on the 14 gigabytes of available memory, or

can be shared on Instagram (pictures), Google+, Facebook and
Youtube. Glass can also be used for playing games, as Google
proves by releasing the first Glass-game called 'Ice breakers'. In
this game, the user of Glass gets a notification when other players
are around. The goal of the game is to meet other players, take a
picture and review the conversation in order to earn points.

6.2 UNINTENDED APPLICATIONS

Google allows third-party applications to be developed using the
Mirror API. Naturally, this can cause Google Glass to be misused.
Although Google Glass might be a closed-platform device when it
is released, currently it appears to be open-platform. Below are
examples of how this technology is and can be misused.

6.2.1. Hacking

It was recently discovered that Google Glass can be hacked and

the users data, including their location, photographs, videos and
messages amongst others, can be accessed by hackers. It is
already possible to find many people exploiting bugs on Google
Glass to warn both the users and Google of the security issues that
the current Explorer edition of the device has. For instance, a
security issue was found which lets people gain access to
someones Glass in only a minute. This attack can be done scarily
fast and easy by only physically being in the same place as the
owner of the Glass. The attacker just needs another Android
device in order to gain access to the data of the Glass owner. The
biggest concern with this security issue is that once they have
access to a Glass, they can see its contents and gain control over
its components any time they want. Normally, most people want
to wear the Glass all the time; when they are working, studying,
walking. This means that if their devices get hacked, the attacker
can see through the hacked Glass video camera, for example, as
the user types in passwords on the computer. Using this hack, the
attacker can gain access to the users accounts quite easily.

6.2.2. Abusing Facial Recognition

In October 2012, Google was said to be buying Viewdle, a

Ukrainian company that specializes in facial recognition
technology. It was going to be used to automatically tag the users
friends on photographs that are taken with Google Glass. While
this functionality can be very useful for also other purposes, for
instance, finding friends in crowded places, it can also be easily
abused. Most people would not like to know that Glass owners can

get all the information available about themselves simply by

looking at them with the device using apps. However, it was
unclear whether or not Google bought Viewdle in the end [32]. As
the Explorer edition of Google Glass got more and more tested by
many people, more concerns about the possibility of Google
integrating and/or approving third-party apps with facial
recognition have been raised. So much so that Google Glass
product director Steve Lee responded to these concerns in May
2013, stating that facial recognition does not exist on the current
version of the device, although they have experimented with it
before. He also added that having facial recognition can be a
possibility in the future [33]. At the end of May 2013, a company
called Lambda Labs developed a software that allows facial
recognition on Glass via a hack. It asks people to take photographs
first and then tag people in them with information. It was stated
that the future releases could include real-time facial recognition.
However, after the continuation of opposition and concerns about
facial recognition, and perhaps after the new app mentioned
above, Google strongly made it clear that they will not include the
technology without setting privacy rules for it first and will not
approve any third-party apps that support facial recognition. They
also released new terms and conditions to make sure that people
do not develop apps for facial recognition. Nevertheless, it is
worth mentioning that they did not discard the possibility of
having it in the future .

6.2.3 Privacy Concerns

By using Google Glass, anyone can be recorded anywhere at any
time. Most people would find it uncomfortable to know that they
can be recorded by a stranger. In the current Explorer version of
the device, there is a light in the prism of the Glass when the
video camera is on. However, what the people that tested the
device have noticed was that people in front of them usually have
no idea what is going on and how the device works, and

consequently, they do not notice that they are being recorded. For
instance, Joshua Topolsky from The Verge who tested Google Glass
mentioned in his review of the device that as part of the testing,
he and Google representatives went to Starbucks in the city along
with Topolskys camera crew. He states that the people working in
Starbucks immediately asked the camera crew to stop filming.
However, according to Topolsky, who were wearing the Glass and
recording with it, no one noticed that in fact he did not stop
filming. Some people might exploit this as it is not similar to
taking a phone or camera out and holding it to take a photograph.
People would be wearing the device and no one could tell if
they are recording random people or using their devices
innocently. Another example is of a bar in the United States of
America that already banned Google Glass in its premises before it
is even released. The reason is that they share the same concern
as some people about privacy issues that come with the device.
They stated that they simply do not want to have the risk of their
customers being abused by people that misuse Google Glass.

CHAPTER-7
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
7.1 Advantages:
1. Easy to operate:
The principle benefit associated with Google Glass is its easily
handy feature. One can easily operate Google Glass and convey
information without the conventional hands on method. In other
words, when you are on the move, either driving a vehicle or
travelling, you can deliver messages just by voice commands
2. Superior technology:
Further, it confines the precious moment in your busy schedule in
the most effortless and relaxed manner. Google facilitates you
with the most sophisticated cameras and videos.
3.Feature Rich:
Google Glass facilitates you with numerous choices; the user has
the liberty to maneuver this incredible gadget either by simple
signs by hand or by voice command. A main advantage of this
project is the liberty and user friendly features provided.
When compared to the normal headphone, the generation of the
sound produced by vibration here is not that harsh as in the case
of headphones. You can also refer to this concept as Boneinduction. The sound system is almost perfect, in comparison to
the usual speakers and headsets.
Several apps that are news and direction related can be delivered
in novel ways.Paving the way for app creators to develop a slew of
new apps compatible to this device.

7.2 Disadvantages

1. Privacy:
The principal limitation of Google Glass is the violation of the law
of secrecy of the custodian of this gadget. There is a tendency for
the user to apply the camera and video with the wrong intention
for unethical practices, which means, it is possible for any person
to take photos or view anyones privacy without their knowledge.

1.1 BAN:
Google Glass is totally banned in many places, like while driving,
cabarets, bars, and the like. Considering all these effects, one can
surmise that Google is facing a big issue in managing matters
related to privacy. Google is seriously involved in seeking a
solution to this problem, until which time the Google Glass has to
be used as such.

2. High price:
An added drawback of this device is its price tag of $1500, which
is really an imposing sum. You could well avail several other
devices of modern technology. However, if Googles market for

this product sees a boon, there is every possibility that they will
be bringing down its price.

3. Face identification technology:

The technology used in face identification, if not used in the
proper sense can trigger an unpleasant situation and even the
displeasure to the affected person.

Conclusion
In todays society we have become quickly accustomed to the
emerging technologies around us, cell phones becoming
Smartphones and androids, iPads, tablets, augmented reality,
camera, mp3s, GPS, robotsthats a whole different story.
Technology has changed dynamically throughout the years from
computers to laptops to now everything being all-in-one on your
phone. To think that that will all now be in a pair of glasses is
incredible. Google glasses are an emerging technology that uses
augmented reality to take photos, video, use GPS, search the web
for information, and more was created by Google X lab engineers
and inventor Babak Parviz.
Google Glasses will impact society by helping consumers become
more connected with reality rather than getting caught up in the
technological world. One of the fears of consumers is that people
will become less aware of their surroundings and communication
interactions between people face to face will die out. These
glasses can help users stay connected with the digital world but
enjoy real-life moments and stay in tune with the real world at
the same time.
Google glasses are light, durable, and comfortable, they come in
different colors and are very fashionable for the technological
world that we are becoming. The glasses are leading to other
products like augmented reality contacts for the military and
ordinary consumers. The Google glasses do have consequences,
they are extremely expensive, and the price ranges from $15003000. One of the biggest issues that follow up with the ACM ethical
codes is privacy and recording issues. Consumers are concerned
that since they will not be able to know when someone is
watching them, they believe that it is against their privacy
rights for this product to come about. Google Glasses will sooner
or later make cell phones; cameras, computers, tablets and GPSs
die out because the glasses contain all these elements in one
simple technology.

Statistics have shown that more than 180 million of people around
the world are visually impaired and over 95% of Americans own a
Smartphone or an android cell phone. This product will ultimately
change society because it is new, innovative and presents a
product that you do not need to hold in your hand but simply just
wear on your face. Our generations today move so rapidly with
technology that this product will penetrate into the market at a
rapid rate and consumers will buy.