Google Glass evolves almost every day and is continuously being used for new and interesting things. It started off as a device that was meant to offer quick bits of information and a convenient camera. With that being said, since the Explorer program launched, the device and its usages have changed a lot. While it started off as a device used for getting quick notifications, it’s now used for medical information, games, videos, music, and even for detecting emotions. Google Glass is even being used to monitor stress levels.

Researchers at Georgia Tech and MIT are experimenting with Google Glass to see how it can measure stress levels. They’re working on a stress-detecting software called BioGlass that uses the sensors and the camera inside of Google Glass to measure heart and breathing rates. The software checks for tiny movements that a person makes when they are breathing to identify when someone might be stressed. It also identifies heart rates using similar methods. The software has been tested on 12 people, and apparently they were able to ESTIMATE heart and breathing rates nearly as accurately as they could with FDA-approved sensors.

The software requires users to stand completely still when it’s doing its analysis. Users have to stand still to get the most accurate results. And, the software’s only ability is to record data. It doesn’t offer any suggestions on how to reduce stress or anything like that. But, the software might eventually be adapted to offer things like stress-reduction techniques though.

Admittedly, BioGlass seems pretty darn interesting. It’s something that should be built upon even more and tested with a bigger group. With that being said, I don’t see BioGlass being completely useful for the ordinary person. Sure, I can see it being used someway medically. For example, equipping someone who just had a heart attack with it to monitor their vitals and stress. But, even in that scenario there are better solutions.

BioGlass relies on sensors and movements to analyze how stressed you are. I’m pretty sure that’s going to provide some pretty inaccurate data. Even if you managed to stand as still as you can while using it, you are still going to be making slight movements (and not breathing or heart related ones). Also, I doubt BioGlass is able to identify a slight head movement from a movement that was caused by breathing.

Also, people are pretty awesome at identifying stress levels without needing a device to track their vitals. When I’ve had a rough day, I know I’m tired and stressed. I don’t need a device to tell me that I’ve had a rough day and that I’m cranky. Really, I don’t see many people at all being like “Man, today was rough. Let’s put on Google Glass to see how stressed I am”. Most people already know.

While BioGlass might seem a bit silly, it’s something that researchers should continue to develop and test. It’s not something the ordinary person would use and most likely the medical world wouldn’t use it either. Still, it’s worth messing with to see if Google Glass can actually accurately be used for such a thing in different settings and during different activities.

Really though, the truth is that you’re probably far better at analyzing your own stress levels than BioGlass. If you’re like most people, then you know how stressed you are and what is causing the stress.

Anyway, if you would like to learn more about BioGlass, then click right here. So, what do you think about BioGlass? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section down below!



Source: Technology Review