Google Glass; public safety catastrophe waiting to happen.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Okay, I'm not normally a fearful tech-hater, but I have to say these things are simply accidents waiting to happen (never mind the privacy issues they create), and I have empirical evidence to back up my concerns.

It's been shown through scientific research on attention and hand-eye coordination studies that hands-free cell phone use does NOT reduce a driver's distraction. The highway accident statistics also confirm this; in every state that has 'hands-free only' cell phone laws for driving, accidents involving people talking via their hands-free cell phone have NOT gone down significantly. The point is, it's the mental distraction, not the hand-eye coordination task, that creates the hazard.

Now, let's put thousands, even millions, of people out on the street wearing these things; driving in them, crossing the street in them, riding a bike, etc.  But with these there's the additional distraction of the eyes from the environment to look at the HUD in the glasses, and that will increase the distraction by an order of magnitude, even with them being hands-free.

And don't think for a second that anyone could look at the HUD with one eye while looking at the road or whatever with the other; that is physiologically impossible for anyone with normal vision; both eyes always turn to look at the current locus of attention, as the ocular recti that move the eyes are wired such that it is neurophysiologically impossible to move only one eye at a time.

There will be an adjustment period for society with these things, yes, but that won't entirely negate the safety risks they're going to create, because contrary to the evidence, plenty of people will still think they're not like other people, and won't have any problems with them. This entire device is a public safety nightmare waiting to happen.

http://news.yahoo.com/googles-wearable-glass-gadget-cool-creepy-140848988.html

[Outback in Idaho]

Okay, I'm not normally a fearful tech-hater, but I have to say these things are simply accidents waiting to happen (never mind the privacy issues they create), and I have empirical evidence to back up my concerns.

It's been shown through scientific research on attention and hand-eye coordination studies that hands-free cell phone use does NOT reduce a driver's distraction. The highway accident statistics also confirm this; in every state that has 'hands-free only' cell phone laws for driving, accidents involving people talking via their hands-free cell phone have NOT gone down significantly. The point is, it's the mental distraction, not the hand-eye coordination task, that creates the hazard.

Now, let's put thousands, even millions, of people out on the street wearing these things; driving in them, crossing the street in them, riding a bike, etc.  But with these there's the additional distraction of the eyes from the environment to look at the HUD in the glasses, and that will increase the distraction by an order of magnitude, even with them being hands-free.

And don't think for a second that anyone could look at the HUD with one eye while looking at the road or whatever with the other; that is physiologically impossible for anyone with normal vision; both eyes always turn to look at the current locus of attention, as the ocular recti that move the eyes are wired such that it is neurophysiologically impossible to move only one eye at a time.

There will be an adjustment period for society with these things, yes, but that won't entirely negate the safety risks they're going to create, because contrary to the evidence, plenty of people will still think they're not like other people, and won't have any problems with them. This entire device is a public safety nightmare waiting to happen.

http://news.yahoo.com/googles-wearable-glass-gadget-cool-creepy-140848988.html

  Hmm... eye distractions for cyclists... ? What about helmet mirrors?


  Have always used one to see what's behind me as bar-end mirrors, well, break.



  Although I do see your point - for the common untrained user. Now as for military pilots they have used the targeting scope along with their flight scope to use missiles and bombs. Watch Top Gun for review on that where Goose tapes maverick's one eye shut and the other with a periscope on to get the dominant eye issue taken care of.

  As for those that require minimalist carry to do their job, or to function better, that could be a good thing - yet is not 100% safe either. Law enforcement could definitely use it for visual updates in the field and snap photos of the suspect whereas a radio just doesn't cut it, loss prevention officers could use it, port of entry inspectors, etc. Cyclists could use it for GPS location, communication, even giving them something to do while pedaling in boredom. Even climbers could benefit, or kayakers. The list can go on...
  Would be safer to use an 'in front of the face' transparent' device as opposed to looking down at a mounted computer, smart phone, or GPS unit. Yet how clear can it be seen in reality? I have a horrible time trying to see the camera view screen of my camera, and worse on a tablet & laptop in the sun. Don't think glasses would get past those light infraction issues - yet.

  Many car companies display output of the car, speed, music playing, etc. on the windshields already - if you can afford one. Designer planes have had those for quite some time as well. So rather than have an entire windshield for an output display there is this teeny one that sits in front of the eye.

Side Note: How hard would you have to concentrate to read the small text? I have never used the virtual glasses yet to see 3D videos, games, or TV through one. Honestly I could see a severe case of eye strain & also worsening the visual acuity of the eyes.


  Yet for the elderly or physically impaired individuals, handicapped, invalids this would be a good thing. Also be a good way to visually report the bad nursing home & hospital treatment whereas without it people would just sluff the accusations off.


  Yep, is going to be interesting. As with every good thing there will be consequences and people using them wrongfully. James Bond has been using them for years. Okay, so that is fiction, or is it?
  Already getting bad where institutions, home owners, and your work spies on you with their cameras. No one asks about what information is being tracked and what they do with the photos taken. And as for unsecured wifi in that story, what about free unsecured wifi in places one shops or gets vittles or coffee at? Do you really know your information is safe and not being tracked there too?
What about your existing open Bluetooth devices out there willing to handshake and relinquish your contact data? Nothing is safe, not even your man cave.     Oh, but the receiver needs a code. Well the bluetooth device already knows your phone, so it connects to another device and a hub is formed. 

[Whoey]

google glass won't be an issue if coupled with google self driving cars... 

[jekostas]

You call it a public safety catastrophe, I call it re-introducing survival of the fittest.

Tomato tomahto

[PTRSAK]

Sometimes I think we need a button..

[Syph007]

You call it a public safety catastrophe, I call it re-introducing survival of the fittest.

Tomato tomahto

Ha... then we're due to lose half the population at least!

[Grant Lamontagne]

For the record, I think Jim is referring to the Nicholas Cage movie Firebirds where they were training to fly Apache gunships, not Top Gun.

As for Google Glasses, well I have to think that the segment of population this will endanger is probably already in danger from walking around, looking down at their phones. At least with this technology they have no excuse not to be looking around.

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[AHB]

WOW..!!!!! I've been waiting for those since Blue Thunder..!!

[Outback in Idaho]

For the record, I think Jim is referring to the Nicholas Cage movie Firebirds where they were training to fly Apache gunships, not Top Gun.

  Hmm...    Could be, but I do remember a fighter pilot movie that showed it. 

As for Google Glasses, well I have to think that the segment of population this will endanger is probably already in danger from walking around, looking down at their phones. At least with this technology they have no excuse not to be looking around.

  Now they will be, erm, spaced out? No drinking & driving, texting, or spacing out.

  Do you suppose there will be an X-ray app that will allow you to see selected people naked? That could be very interesting, especially for those that have to give speeches. You could see the audience as being nekked! Less stress that way.

[nuphoria]

Stupid people are already stupid, not sure how another gadget will change their odds!

[dks]

Uses for Google glasses:

PORN directors are planning to use Google Glass eyewear to film the next generation of X-rated flicks.

The adult film industry wants to use the futuristic specs in a “truly hands-free fashion” to take graphic point-of-view shots, according to insiders.

Google is expected to be highly embarrassed by the revelation that their high-tech Glass gear may become asssociated with pornographic movies.
 
Q Boyer, a spokesman for porn filmmakers Pink Visual, said: “Obviously a device that allows you to shoot high-quality video in a truly hands-free fashion will make shooting point of view (POV) porn that much easier.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/4932949/google-glass-used-in-porn-films.html

[TurkTeen]

Uses for Google glasses:

PORN directors are planning to use Google Glass eyewear to film the next generation of X-rated flicks.

The adult film industry wants to use the futuristic specs in a “truly hands-free fashion” to take graphic point-of-view shots, according to insiders.

Google is expected to be highly embarrassed by the revelation that their high-tech Glass gear may become asssociated with pornographic movies.
 
Q Boyer, a spokesman for porn filmmakers Pink Visual, said: “Obviously a device that allows you to shoot high-quality video in a truly hands-free fashion will make shooting point of view (POV) porn that much easier.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/4932949/google-glass-used-in-porn-films.html

Aawkwaaard... ._.

Think, you open a porn site and it says "taken by google glass".

[AimlessWanderer]

Stupid people are already stupid, not sure how another gadget will change their odds!

 

It won't alter their stupidity, just give them something else to cock up   

[jekostas]

Uses for Google glasses:

PORN directors are planning to use Google Glass eyewear to film the next generation of X-rated flicks.

The adult film industry wants to use the futuristic specs in a “truly hands-free fashion” to take graphic point-of-view shots, according to insiders.

Google is expected to be highly embarrassed by the revelation that their high-tech Glass gear may become asssociated with pornographic movies.
 
Q Boyer, a spokesman for porn filmmakers Pink Visual, said: “Obviously a device that allows you to shoot high-quality video in a truly hands-free fashion will make shooting point of view (POV) porn that much easier.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/4932949/google-glass-used-in-porn-films.html

Pornography has a very long, and shall we say colored?, history of making this type of technology viable for consumer usage.

I mean, this is the industry that figured out how to make pay-for-content services on the internet profitable.  Not to mention VHS tapes, home video cameras, 8mm film, portable projectors....

[dks]

Pornography has a very long, and shall we say colored?, history of making this type of technology viable for consumer usage.

I mean, this is the industry that figured out how to make pay-for-content services on the internet profitable.  Not to mention VHS tapes, home video cameras, 8mm film, portable projectors....

The words of an expert in  the topic....   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Sometimes I think we need a (Image removed from quote.) button..

Just for the record....

We do.

Def

[nuphoria]

Yeah, but then all your FB friends think you're a member of a porn forum

[nuphoria]

Perhaps that should be "stand up member"