Google co-founder: reconsider launching Google Glass, now is the right time

(XR Navigation Network May 17, 2024)Google联合创始人谢尔盖·布林（Sergey Brin）认为，公司早期尝试的谷歌眼镜Google Glass过于超前，走在了时代的前面。但随着人工智能的进步，布林认为现在可能是回归的好时机。

During Google's annual developer conference , Brin reviewed the company's past attempts at AR glasses in an interview. He said, "Unfortunately, we screwed up on the timing. I kind of wish I had timed it right."

谷歌眼镜于2013年首次推出，但因其设计，功能，性能和隐私等问题而广受批评，而项目最终于2015年停止。尽管遭遇挫折，布林依然认为谷歌眼镜的形状“相当酷炫”。

In fact, there has been news about Google developing AR glasses. In addition, Google showed off at this year's developer conference theProject Astra. In the demo, a user wearing prototype smart glasses can world talk to an AI agent, and the glasses can overlay relevant digital graphics in the user's field of view. This hints at the potential of AI+AR.

The demonstration sparked speculation that Google Glass could return, and Brin didn't refute said claims. He said, "It's very interesting because it's like the perfect hardware. Ten years from now, it's like a killer app."

Brin emphasized the importance of direct interaction with AI, especially when the user is engaged in activities such as cooking or exercising. He noted, "Direct interaction without having to use your hands is the idea. There are a lot of things you need guided help with: cooking or doing sports. It's very awkward to do that with your phone in your hand."

He also noted that other companies are similarly exploring ways to implement AI through devices such as wearables.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, echoed the enthusiasm for AI+AR glasses: "Obviously, it works very well on the mobile side. But the whole of Silicon Valley is discussing the issue that we may need other forms of carriers when said system is fully developed. In my opinion, Google Glass is an obvious choice."

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, on the other hand, did not shy away from talking about the possibility of Google Glass making a comeback. He said that like other companies, Project Astra could make a splash with its glasses-like shape parameters. In an interview with CNBC, Pichai said, "Project Astra shines really bright when you have a vehicle like glasses, which we're working on a prototype for."

Except for Google, of course.Meta(Ray-Ban smart glasses), Amazon (Echo Frame),Snap(Spectacles), and Apple (VisionPro)andMicrosoft(HoloLens) and other giants are also actively exploring AI+XR solutions.