Tag: google glass

Google Glass application acts as human emotion detector

| September 2, 2014

The new app for the head mounted wearable tech can make detections in real time.

Researchers, from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, have created a first of its kind application for Google Glass that has the ability to measure human emotions and can also determine a person’s gender and gauge their age.

The SHORE real time analysis and face detection software was adapted to work with Glass.

The Sophisticated High-speed Object Recognition Engine (SHORE) can detect a human face with the help of the integrated camera in Glass and gauge a person’s emotions, determining if they are happy, sad, surprised, or angry through a facial expression analysis. At the same time, the app can estimate their age or determine their gender, as well as other aspects about them.

According to the specifications of the product on the official site, the gender detection rate of the face that is being viewed is 94.3 percent. To help the software identify real faces it utilizes a database of over 10,000 annotated faces as a point of reference. All calculations that the technology makes is done in real time by the eye-wear’s integrated CPU.

That being said, the researchers have noted that the app cannot verify a person’s identity and prohibits users from being able to discover a person’s identity through it. In fact, to ensure privacy, the app developers have promised that no data or images that are collected are sent to the cloud. The image data never leaves the device.

The Google Glass app could benefit individuals with sensory processing disorders.

This application is much more than just a gimmick. It has real potential for acting as a communication aid. For instance, a person who has a sensory processing disorder, such as autism, may benefit from the application because it can help them detect a person’s emotions. Interpreting emotions via facial expressions is something many autistics finds difficult.

Furthermore, the technology can be advantageous for those who are visually impaired, as it can provide them with supplementary audio information about the individuals who are within their surroundings. In addition, aside from Google Glass, the software could also be used in other apps like market research or interactive games.

Google Glass could one day look like ordinary glasses

| August 26, 2014

Patent pictures hint at a new design concept for the wearable tech.

Although not everyone is on board with Google Glass, one aspect regarding this wearable device on which most people agree is the fact that it lacks aesthetic appeal and does very little for a person’s looks, but this minor issue may be rectified down the road based on the latest speculations regarding a recent acquired patent.

The new design appears to be sleeker and thicker compared to the current eyewear.

Mitchell Heinrich, Google design and prototyping engineer involved with Project Glass, was granted US patent D710,928 S on August 12. The patent shows a Google Glass design that looks far more like thick framed normal eyeglasses compared to the relatively bulky projector that sits on the side of the current device.

Heinrich’s involvement in the project is described on his website as “Early stage mechanical architecture layout. Lead the consumer packaging development for the explorer release. Developed human factors numerical and physical models to fit Glass on as many people as possible. Co-developed the bone conduction audio system including component design and testing. Broad range of low and high fidelity prototype development.”

wearable tech design - Not actual Google GlassThe patent application reveals relatively normal looking spectacles with a thick frame that features a display apparatus, which is tucked on the inside and is attached to the right arm of the glasses near the hinge. This would not only hide the projector, but make the wearable display device potentially more comfortable for the user, as they could receive information projected from the apparatus on the lenses instead of it floating in front of their eyes. This could also mean better image quality. On the other hand, this new design could end up being more obstructive to the wearer’s vision.

The new design may make people even more suspicious of Google Glass users.

Despite being more appealing to look at, this new design could raise more concerns among non-Glass users who may argue that it will make it easier for wearers to film others without these people being aware that they are being captured on film or that Glass users may find it easier to engage in other illicit activity. For instance, the smartglasses have already been banned at certain movie theaters in the US to prevent the illegal filming of movies.

Nevertheless, at the moment, the patent doesn’t reveal enough about the next-gen Google Glass for anything official to be determined. However, what has been seen certainly does appear to be a notable evolution in the product.