Sci-Tech Information: Virgin Atlantic Crew Test-Drives Google Glass
Google Glass, the wearable computer that doctors and schoolchildren are experimenting with, is now making its way into the airline industry.
Virgin Atlantic today began a pilot program in which its concierges in the Upper Class lounge at London's Heathrow Airport will don Google Glass to check in passengers.
They'll be able to give passengers their latest flight information and tell them about the weather and events at their destinations. They can also translate foreign language information. Eventually, the technology could tell Virgin Atlantic staff their passengers' food and drink preferences.
"We continue to look ahead and research innovations that customers might only dream of today," says Dave Bulman, director of information technology for Virgin Atlantic. "The whole industry needs to listen to what these passengers are calling for, and keep innovating to bring a return to the golden age of air travel. Flying should be a pleasure, not a chore."
The travel industry, and airlines in particular, has never been known to be in the forefront of adopting the latest in technology. But some experts see potential benefits in the use of Google Glass to provide better customer service.
"We are still a ways from widespread applications and adoption, and there are functional limitations today," says Douglas Quinby, vice president of research for market research firm PhocusWright. " We're not going to be planning and booking our big dream vacations on Glass anytime soon, but Glass definitely allows us to envision where things are headed."
Virgin Atlantic is working with SITA, the information technology company specializing in the air transport industry, on the six-week pilot project. If it goes well, the airline will potentially roll it out to other airports.
"2014 is shaping up to be the breakout year for wearable technology, and Virgin Atlantic is the first to bring its vision to reality," says Jim Peters, chief technology officer for SITA.
Still in the testing phase, Google Glass has been used by doctors and classroom teachers. It's scheduled to be made available to the public sometime this year.
Smart treadmill controlled by Google Glass
Fitness equipment maker Technogym has announced a new intelligent treadmill for owners of Google Glass.
Showcasing at this week's CES trade show in Las Vegas, the treadmill offers Glass wearers hands-free control of their workout and allows them to view their running data right on the headset, rather than looking down at the machine's console.
Plus the Android-based system, called Unity, comes with an API that allows third party apps such as Withings, RunKeeper, and MapMyFitness to connect to the treadmill, so you can access data right on the device's tablet or via Google Glass. However, there is no word yet on pricing or availability.
Techogym's new device is just the latest in a recent crop of smart, tablet-equipped treadmills, with companies like iFit offering treadmill and ellipticals with built-in Android browsers that let you check email, watch YouTube, run virtual races, shop online, or even create a running route using Google Maps that simulates live road running.
Google Glass Powered by Android and Disabled by Law
The Android-powered Google Glass is in a middle of a stormy week with the much-anticipated device and its features under threat of being disabled by law even before its official release. The entire community of wearable tech glass makers and followers would be rooting for and against two people respectively.
Software developer Cecilia Abadie and Brooklyn Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz may not personally know each other; however, they each represent an opposite end of the Google Glass debate.
While Abadie will be defending her right to wear Google Glass while driving, Ortiz has introduced legislation in the assembly to put in place an unconditional ban on use of any form of wearable hi-tech glasses while operating a motor vehicle.
California resident Abadie is due to testify in a San Diego traffic court in a first ever case related to the use of Google Glass while behind the wheel. Abadie is one of among 30,000 Google €explorers€ who paid their way in to be a part of the trial period of the device before its official launch. It was during one of these exploring sessions behind the wheel that she was flagged down by an officer.
Although pulled over on suspicion of speeding, the officer noted that she was wearing the high-tech glasses. He eventually booked her on charges usually cited for driving with a distracting TV screen or video in front of the driver.
Google and the Google Glass fans club are watching over the case with utmost attention and curiosity. The outcome of the case could potentially mold the framing of rules with respect to wearable hi-tech devices and glasses. The ball is already rolling in that direction, with Ortiz pushing for legislation this week against using wearable devices like Google Glass while driving.
The law, if put into place, could deflate and disable the grand launch plans of the Android-powered Google Glass. However, Ortiz is in favor of a ban to ensure that a driver's focus will always remain on the road and nowhere else.
The Democrat has also quoted Abadie's case as a possible reference to his legislation.
He expressed his continued will to fight for safer driving conditions, especially on the highways. The legislation becomes all the more important in the current scenario to prohibit repetition of cases similar to that of Abaie's case where she was ticketed for driving while wearing Google Glass.
It is also interesting to note that Ortiz was instrumental in banning use of mobile phones while driving in 2000. His bill, the first in the nation, was soon replicated by many states and was widely reported as a crucial bill for safety.
Google's response to the entire episode is comparatively muted and its stand on using Google Glass while driving has been very clearly cited on its website's FAQ section:
As you probably know, most states have passed laws limiting the use of mobile devices while driving any motor vehicle, and most states post those rules on their department of motor vehicles websites. Explorers should read up and follow the law. Above all, even when you're following the law, don't hurt yourself or others by failing to pay attention to the road.
While tech addicts are waiting for the outcome of the Abadie's case today, they will also be keeping a close eye on the legislation introduced by Ortiz.
Google and other players in this segment will also be closely monitoring the upcoming laws that could disable the pace at which the anxiety over wearable tech glasses is increasing, especially since the launch of Android-powered Google Glass is around the corner.
Virgin Atlantic today began a pilot program in which its concierges in the Upper Class lounge at London's Heathrow Airport will don Google Glass to check in passengers.
They'll be able to give passengers their latest flight information and tell them about the weather and events at their destinations. They can also translate foreign language information. Eventually, the technology could tell Virgin Atlantic staff their passengers' food and drink preferences.
"We continue to look ahead and research innovations that customers might only dream of today," says Dave Bulman, director of information technology for Virgin Atlantic. "The whole industry needs to listen to what these passengers are calling for, and keep innovating to bring a return to the golden age of air travel. Flying should be a pleasure, not a chore."
The travel industry, and airlines in particular, has never been known to be in the forefront of adopting the latest in technology. But some experts see potential benefits in the use of Google Glass to provide better customer service.
"We are still a ways from widespread applications and adoption, and there are functional limitations today," says Douglas Quinby, vice president of research for market research firm PhocusWright. " We're not going to be planning and booking our big dream vacations on Glass anytime soon, but Glass definitely allows us to envision where things are headed."
Virgin Atlantic is working with SITA, the information technology company specializing in the air transport industry, on the six-week pilot project. If it goes well, the airline will potentially roll it out to other airports.
"2014 is shaping up to be the breakout year for wearable technology, and Virgin Atlantic is the first to bring its vision to reality," says Jim Peters, chief technology officer for SITA.
Still in the testing phase, Google Glass has been used by doctors and classroom teachers. It's scheduled to be made available to the public sometime this year.
Smart treadmill controlled by Google Glass
Fitness equipment maker Technogym has announced a new intelligent treadmill for owners of Google Glass.
Showcasing at this week's CES trade show in Las Vegas, the treadmill offers Glass wearers hands-free control of their workout and allows them to view their running data right on the headset, rather than looking down at the machine's console.
Plus the Android-based system, called Unity, comes with an API that allows third party apps such as Withings, RunKeeper, and MapMyFitness to connect to the treadmill, so you can access data right on the device's tablet or via Google Glass. However, there is no word yet on pricing or availability.
Techogym's new device is just the latest in a recent crop of smart, tablet-equipped treadmills, with companies like iFit offering treadmill and ellipticals with built-in Android browsers that let you check email, watch YouTube, run virtual races, shop online, or even create a running route using Google Maps that simulates live road running.
Google Glass Powered by Android and Disabled by Law
The Android-powered Google Glass is in a middle of a stormy week with the much-anticipated device and its features under threat of being disabled by law even before its official release. The entire community of wearable tech glass makers and followers would be rooting for and against two people respectively.
Software developer Cecilia Abadie and Brooklyn Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz may not personally know each other; however, they each represent an opposite end of the Google Glass debate.
While Abadie will be defending her right to wear Google Glass while driving, Ortiz has introduced legislation in the assembly to put in place an unconditional ban on use of any form of wearable hi-tech glasses while operating a motor vehicle.
California resident Abadie is due to testify in a San Diego traffic court in a first ever case related to the use of Google Glass while behind the wheel. Abadie is one of among 30,000 Google €explorers€ who paid their way in to be a part of the trial period of the device before its official launch. It was during one of these exploring sessions behind the wheel that she was flagged down by an officer.
Although pulled over on suspicion of speeding, the officer noted that she was wearing the high-tech glasses. He eventually booked her on charges usually cited for driving with a distracting TV screen or video in front of the driver.
Google and the Google Glass fans club are watching over the case with utmost attention and curiosity. The outcome of the case could potentially mold the framing of rules with respect to wearable hi-tech devices and glasses. The ball is already rolling in that direction, with Ortiz pushing for legislation this week against using wearable devices like Google Glass while driving.
The law, if put into place, could deflate and disable the grand launch plans of the Android-powered Google Glass. However, Ortiz is in favor of a ban to ensure that a driver's focus will always remain on the road and nowhere else.
The Democrat has also quoted Abadie's case as a possible reference to his legislation.
He expressed his continued will to fight for safer driving conditions, especially on the highways. The legislation becomes all the more important in the current scenario to prohibit repetition of cases similar to that of Abaie's case where she was ticketed for driving while wearing Google Glass.
It is also interesting to note that Ortiz was instrumental in banning use of mobile phones while driving in 2000. His bill, the first in the nation, was soon replicated by many states and was widely reported as a crucial bill for safety.
Google's response to the entire episode is comparatively muted and its stand on using Google Glass while driving has been very clearly cited on its website's FAQ section:
As you probably know, most states have passed laws limiting the use of mobile devices while driving any motor vehicle, and most states post those rules on their department of motor vehicles websites. Explorers should read up and follow the law. Above all, even when you're following the law, don't hurt yourself or others by failing to pay attention to the road.
While tech addicts are waiting for the outcome of the Abadie's case today, they will also be keeping a close eye on the legislation introduced by Ortiz.
Google and other players in this segment will also be closely monitoring the upcoming laws that could disable the pace at which the anxiety over wearable tech glasses is increasing, especially since the launch of Android-powered Google Glass is around the corner.
