Google showed off its augmented reality (AR) prototype in the Google I/O 2022 event. In August, the company started small-scale testing. A few dozen Googlers and selected trusted testers were included in the testing. This was done in limited public settings in the U.S.
This November, the company is expanding its AR prototype testing in Canada, according to 9to5Google.
According to a Google post, select Googlers will be part of the company's small-scale testing in Waterloo and Toronto. They will follow the same privacy and safety measures.
Google Tests its AR Prototype in the US last August, Will Soon Expand in Canada
In July, Google announced that they would start the small-scale testing of the AR prototype. The company proceeded with its plan and started the test in August in the U.S.
According to the company, the public testing that was conducted followed Google's privacy and safety measures. A small number of AR prototypes were tested.
The testing followed strict limitations on where testers could operate. The testers also followed the limitations on the kinds of activities they could engage in. Moreover, to ensure the tester's safety, they went through device, protocol, privacy, and safety training.
According to Google, they are currently testing a prototype that looks like normal glasses. It is equipped with an in-lens display and visual and audio sensors.
The test is being conducted to ensure the durability of the device. Likewise, the company wants to optimize user experiences as well as improve the overall helpfulness of potential smart glasses.
Google is very cautious in places where the tests are being conducted. They are not testing in schools, government buildings, healthcare locations, places of worship, social service locations, areas meant for children, emergency response locations, and rallies or protest areas.
It is important to create safe, trusted, and helpful AR products and services both for the user and the people around them. With this, various measures to protect the privacy of bystanders were also employed by the company.
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Google's Test is Limited to Googlers and Select Trusted Testers
Currently, the test for the AR prototype is limited to Googlers and select trusted testers. Through the limited AR prototype testing, select participants are able to test the new AR prototypes and services.
New experiences, which include translation, transcription, and navigation on AR prototypes, are currently being tested by the company, according to Mobile Syrup.
The AR prototypes being tested have an in-lens display, as well as audio and visual sensors, such as a microphone and camera.
Despite being equipped with a microphone and camera, the AR prototypes don't support photography or videography, according to Google. However, users will be able to use the image data for navigation, translation and, visual search.
According to the company, they are researching the use of audio sensings, such as speech transcription and translation. Moreover, they are also studying visual sensing, such as the use of image data for translating text or positioning during navigation.
The image data is deleted once the experience is completed. However, there are special cases when the image data is stored in a secure server if it is needed for analysis and debugging.
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