We are testing glasses prototypes in the real world. This Help Center article outlines the scope of our public testing.
Privacy and Safety at the Forefront
These public testing efforts adhere to Google’s privacy and safety measures. We are testing glasses prototypes with strict limitations on where testers can operate and the kinds of activities they can engage in. All testers must go through device, protocol, privacy, and safety training.
Creating safe, trusted, and helpful glasses products and services is not just about the user but also those around them. We have also implemented measures described in this article to protect the privacy of bystanders.
Among the glasses prototypes we are working on, we are currently testing prototypes that look like normal glasses with an in-lens display and visual and audio sensors. We are testing these prototypes to ensure device durability, optimize user experiences, and improve overall helpfulness of potential smart glasses.
Program FAQs
What is glasses prototype public testing?
- Glasses prototype testing allows selected participants to test new glasses prototypes and services not available to the public.
Who is eligible to test glasses prototypes?
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At this time eligibility is limited to Google employees and select trusted testers. For more information on how you can participate in Google Research click this link.
What are you currently testing?
- We are testing a variety of user experiences on the glasses prototypes, such as listening to music, translating text and speech, navigation and maps, photography and videography, and multimodal search. These research prototypes look like normal glasses, and feature an in-lens display, microphones, and cameras.
What data are you collecting in the Trusted Tester program? What is image data used for?
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During public testing, we may collect device logs and other data, including camera data, to help debug issues, for product analysis, and to improve our products and services, including training and improving artificial intelligence and machine learning models and technologies.
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These activities are subject to Google's standard data handling practices to help ensure data is used appropriately, and kept only for as long as it’s useful to improve Google products and services.
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Trusted testers may use these prototype glasses for photography or videography, in which case the content they capture may be accessible for personal use.
How will I know if I’m in close proximity to glasses prototypes being tested?
- Google employees and select trusted testers may be wearing these prototypes in public. Whenever camera data is being stored, an LED indicator will turn on.
What specifically are you testing for?
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Our goal is to develop great products that deliver help to users throughout their day. We will be testing software experiences to assess how useful and helpful these glasses prototypes are, and how to make them even better.
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These experiences use the speakers, display, microphones, camera, and other sensors on the prototypes, and vary in type. Examples include: music, translation, maps, photography, and multimodal search.
Where is public testing being conducted?
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We test in private in-lab settings, but also need to test beyond our labs in real-world conditions. For any public testing, we impose strict limitations on where these glasses prototypes can operate. Testers are prohibited from testing in schools, public restrooms, government buildings, healthcare locations, places of worship, social service locations, areas meant for children (e.g., playgrounds), emergency response locations, rallies or protests, and other similar places.
Do Google employees or trusted testers test glasses prototypes while driving?
- No. Testers are prohibited from using glasses prototypes while driving, operating heavy machinery, etc.
What training do testers go through before testing glasses prototypes beyond Google’s labs?
- All testers go through rigorous device, protocol, privacy, and safety and device training before being able to use a prototype device. They learn about the limitations that have been placed on testing, and best practices for operating appropriately, safely and responsibly in a real-world environment.