“ok glass, get directions”

When I first put on Glass, as I believe is the same for everyone, I took a picture. Taking photos is a very natural use of Google Glass; the camera is in your face, so taking a photo immediately comes to mind. For me, the second thing I asked my Glass was for directions. I was really curious about the Navigation interface, but my first impression was that the interface is negligible. The Google Maps Voice told me every turn I needed to make and the display, while rarely active, was magically there when I needed it and gone when I didn’t. My first real use of Glass, after the most basic “ok glass, take a picture,” was “ok glass, get directions Home.” And in fact the entire drive home, I was amazed at how easy it was to drive with Glass.

Recently there has been a lot of buzz about driving with Glass and whether it is or should be illegal. Take a look at these photos and let me know your opinion in the comments:

Glass Explorer Cecilia Abadie recently fought back against a ticket that was issued to her for wearing Glass while driving and she won! She was pulled over originally for speeding, but was later assessed a ticket for “driving with a monitor visible.” Now, even though Glass could potentially display video or other content, it is not ideal due to battery life and usability and Cecilia stood by her claim that she was not actively using her Glass while she was driving. Glass can supply audio notifications (which are totally legal) without needing the screen to ever activate. And if Glass were being used for Navigation, wouldn’t that be legal?

Check out the press conference through Cecilia’s Glass:

I hope we can overcome our fear of driving with Glass and see the amazing possibilities the device can bring. Another Explorer, Det Ansin has been developing an application that connects his Glass to his car through Bluetooth. The added information he receives can surely make him a better, more responsive driver. Take a look at his YouTube video showcasing his Glassware:

Another team of Glass Explorers, Jake Steinerman, Victor Kaiser-Pendergrast, Ryan Spletzer, and designer Jeremy Avery, have developed an app called DriveSafe for Glass. This app uses the Glass sensors to warn drivers when they fall asleep and their head dips. It then provides directions to the nearest rest stop so that the driver can rest until they’re ready to continue on their journey. Surely Glass is valuable while driving when applications like these are available.

My opinion hasn’t changed throughout my entire experience as a Glass Explorer. I feel very strongly that not only is it safe to drive with Glass, but it’s safer than driving without.