Google tests augmented-reality glasses

Augmented-reality glasses from Google's Project Glass.

/ Google

(CBS News) Google announced Wednesday that a group of developers would begin testing augmented-reality glasses. Project Glass was announced via a Google+ page, partially to solicit feedback from interested parties.

"A group of us from Google[x] started Project Glass to build this kind of technology, one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment," said developers Babak Parviz, Steve Lee and Sebastian Thrun. "We took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable you to do."

A promotional video released by Google shows the glasses' ability to display information and incorporate voice recognition technology. Some examples of how the glasses were most useful included: displaying the weather, reporting subway service outages and checking messages.

One of the coolest uses for glasses is the ability to take a call and use "view share" to create a shared experience. In the example Google provides, a couple share music and a sunset together.

Google X, an experimental arm of the search engine giant, is currently testing the glasses. There's no confirmation on when the glasses might be available for purchase.

15 Photos

Google's futuristic "Project Glass" eye wear

[Eco99]

Absolutely horrible idea. Distracted driving now distracted walking GREAT. I already answer people talking to on loud on cell phones in public and lip off when they walk into me while texting as if its my fault I didn't get out of THEIR way. God help the people who start walking into people and into traffic while checking their email or we can just call it survival of the fittest. ;)

[rwsmith29456]

'Terminator' glasses.

[Scimajor]

Very cool. I'd buy a set in a heartbeat. I bet the "EM radiation hysteria" (hysteria since there's not one single peer reviewed study showing any correlation between cell phone EM and any illness) issue would stop allot of people from buying them however. Sucks to be them. More goodies for me.

[EricB_727]

Obviously these developers haven't seen "The Jerk"

[fwd23515]

I'd rather have Colonel Steve Austin's eyeball.

[curious2knownow]

you're showing your age dude :-)))

[venusvegasvada]

Impressive and nice.

[barbaram99]

I can't use them..They look awful.

[EarthBoundMiss]

but oh so very cool

[wilc4u]

Well Apple will have to look out for this, because it will be the next BIG thing,as far as safety is concerned they could easily be programed not to display while driving but only to sound off.

[wilc4u]

Well Apple will have to look out for this, because it will be the next BIG thing,as far as safety is concerned they could easily be programed not to display while driving but only to sound off.