X, the research division of Google's parent company Alphabet, is launching the Glass Enterprise Edition. This is a new version of the smart glasses Google Glass. The glasses are aimed at the business world and allow workers in technical workshops, among others, to have both hands free while being presented with information about the work they are doing.
Google Glass is a pair of smart glasses launched by Google in 2012. The glasses allow users to access information by projecting data onto a small screen positioned in front of users' eyes. This allows users to access information while performing tasks. A consumer version of the smart glasses was launched as a beta version in the UK on 23 June 2014, after which the product was also launched in the US on 5 September 2014. However, the product did not prove to be a great success. The Google Glass sold only sparsely, after which Google discontinued sales in January 2015.
Glass Enterprise Edition
Now X, a sister company of Google, is launching a new version of the Google Glass. As the name suggests, the Glass Enterprise Edition is specifically aimed at business users. The glasses for business users had already been available for two years through a beta programme, which only a limited number of companies had access to. Now the glasses are generally available.
With the Glass Enterprise Edition, Google is targeting companies in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, logistics and healthcare. The glasses work with applications from a variety of X's partners, targeting diverse applications. For example, the glasses allow technical staff to carry out work on a machine, while the Glass Enterprise Edition gives them instructions to do so. It is also possible to ask colleagues for support by letting them watch live via the glasses' built-in 8-megapixel camera. The smart glasses can be operated by voice control.
View instructions while working
One of the companies that has been working with the Glass Enterprise Edition for some time is GE, reports Project Lead Glass at X Jay Kothari in a blog post. Technical staff at the company use the glasses in combination with the Skylight industrial AR (augmented reality) platform from Upskill, a partner of X. This allows them to view product drawings and instructions, including videos, images and animations, while performing technical work. This without having to consult a laptop or instruction manual to do so. The smart glasses help GE technical staff perform their work 8 to 11% more efficiently.
AGCO, a US manufacturer of agricultural machinery, is also working with the smart glasses. The glasses are used in combination with an application called Proceedix. Among other things, this allows checklists used by employees when performing tasks to be projected on the Glass Enterprise Edition. The application can also be used to view instructions on the glasses or take pictures. AGCO claims that this has reduced the production time of agricultural machinery by 25%, while machine inspection time has been reduced by 30%. New employees can also be trained 300% faster.
Integration into safety glasses
In many jobs, technical workers wear safety glasses to protect their eyes. However, safety glasses cannot easily be worn over the Glass Enterprise Edition. The transparent display of the smart glasses is therefore integrated into the so-called Glass Pod. This modular attachment can be mounted on the frame of safety glasses, among other things.
In addition, compared to the first generation Google Glass, the Glass Enterprise Edition has received a hardware update. For instance, according to Google, the device is lighter and more comfortable, allowing employees to wear the glasses for longer periods of time at a time. In addition, the battery life of the glasses has also been improved. The glasses can be connected to the company network via Wi-Fi.
Available through partners
Glass Enterprise Edition is available exclusively through partners of X. A list of all partners can be found on the company's website.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: GE
Source: X
Source: AGCO (pictured)
