https://www.iotworldtoday.com/wp-content/themes/ioti_child/assets/images/logo/mobile-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • Roundups
  • Strategy
  • Special Reports
  • Business Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Featured Vendors
  • Other Content
    • Back
    • Q&As
    • Case Studies
    • Features
    • How-to
    • Opinion
    • Podcasts
    • Strategic Partners
    • Latest videos
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Submissions
  • Events
    • Back
    • Embedded IoT World (Part of DesignCon) 2022
Iot World Today
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • Roundups
  • Strategy
  • Special Reports
  • Business Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Featured Vendors
  • Other Content
    • Back
    • Q&As
    • Case Studies
    • Features
    • How-to
    • Opinion
    • Podcasts
    • Strategic Partners
    • Latest videos
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Submissions
  • Events
    • Back
    • Embedded IoT World (Part of DesignCon) 2022
  • newsletter
  • IIoT
  • Cities
  • Energy
  • Homes/Buildings
  • Transportation/Logistics
  • Connected Health Care
  • Retail
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Development
  • Security
ioti.com

IIoT/Manufacturing


Google

The next version of Google Glass is targeted at industrial customers.

Google Glass gets it right the second time: Leonid Bershidsky

The next iteration of Google Glass is targeted at the enterprise set.
  • Written by Bloomberg News
  • 20th July 2017

Google Glass is back, and this time it’s not the ultimate example of overhyped wearable technology. Rather, its revival demonstrates how Silicon Valley’s innovations can have applications that their creators might never have envisioned.

The first coming of Glass — a computer in the shape of a pair of glasses — was a disaster. It occurred at the height of the wearables boom in 2013, when some 318 startups emerged to push smartwatches, smart glasses, smart clothes and other such gadgetry, more than double the number a year earlier. Google pitched the product for a wide range of consumer uses — whatever you could do with a smartphone, only look, no hands! Early reviewers were impressed that the thing actually worked, but the “explorers” who bought the gadget soon discovered that it was buggy and that they were unwelcome in public spaces because they might be surreptitiously recording everything around them. They went back to smartphones and Google appeared to lose interest, stopping software updates and killing the consumer website that advertised Glass.

Now, though, the Alphabet Inc. unit has recognized Glass’s potential in an unexpected place: the factory floor. It turned out that industrial companies were using the innovation to boost the productivity of workers performing complex manual tasks: It could show step-by step instructions, help choose the right tools, photograph and report quality problems. In some cases, companies actually hired third-party software developers to adapt it for their purposes. Responding to demand from these initially unwanted customers, Google has created the Enterprise Edition, a much-improved version that can be fixed to specially made frames (so safety glasses can be fitted with it, too), has better connectivity and longer battery life.

Here’s a video showing how much time Glass can save a skilled worker:

So why didn’t Google think of this before? Mainly because the mindset in Silicon Valley is to aim for the masses, imagining the maximum possible market for every new idea. This makes for a lot of disappointments. By last year, the number of new startups peddling wearable technology had declined to 114, and venture funding was also on the wane. Smartwatches and fitness trackers will never be as ubiquitous as smartphones. As Jan Wassman of the German market research company GfK put it: “Manufacturers and retailers need to understand the real-life users of wearables. What do they use and why?”

That’s what Google ended up doing with Glass. Smartwatch and fitness band manufacturers, too, might eventually find that their products are better suited to narrower uses. Fitness-conscious people don’t really need a tracker to know if they’re getting enough exercise — they can tell by the way they feel. Designer smartwatches still require frequent charging and have too many unnecessary functions. But it’s easy to imagine specific situations where such devices can be useful: for people with chronic diseases that require constant monitoring, such as diabetes; for elder or newborn care; for workers who need to keep their hands free. Companies that focus on such specialized applications may have better prospects than the likes of Pebble or Jawbone.

The internet of things might also be better suited for narrow applications. Connectivity can certainly help monitor an energy grid or pressure in a water supply system. It’s harder to imagine too many people wanting to control the lighting in their apartments with an app.

Tech companies might never get the message. Consider the “Spectacles” being sold by Snap Inc. The funky $130 sunglasses, which can film short videos for sharing on Snapchat, repeat two of the mistakes Google made with Glass: They’re clumsy-looking, and they violate people’s privacy. With mere tens of thousands sold, the product will never make a difference to Snap’s bottom line.

A better approach might be to start narrow and go to the mass market only when customers start thinking of household uses. Google Glass may yet break out of factories into the wider world — but only if workers start missing the headsets outside their jobs.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tags: Article IIoT/Manufacturing Opinion

Related


  • Robots need more human skills
    By Thomas Rosteck, President, Connected Secure Systems, Infineon Technologies Connected and equipped with sensors and AI capabilities, machines can cooperatively work with people. Together, they can increase productivity and sustainability. Robots need freedom. At least if they are working intelligently with humans. Out of the cage, into the open shop floor of a factory. However, with […]
  • Image shows BMW Group iFactory, Smart Maintenance, BMW Group Plant Regensburg (
    BMW Outlines New Sustainable-Focused Production Strategy
    The new strategy will accelerate the group’s path to e-mobility, harnessing data to improve efficiency and curb emissions in the process
  • Image shows Agility Robotics Digit working in a warehouse.
    Agility Robotics Raises $150M for Workplace Robots
    Designed for warehouse and logistics environments, a new model is coming later this year
  • Image depicts a business life cycle
    PTC Inks $280M Deal With Intland Software to Boost ALM Offerings
    The news comes as PTC expands its business to bring its PLM software to a wider range of customers

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your IoT World Today account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Content

  • Mitsubishi Electric to Launch New Industrial Robotics System in 2023
  • StrongArm Raises $50M for Industrial Safety Wearables
  • Self-Operating Lift Truck to Make Its Debut
  • IoT Product Roundup: Ericsson, BrainChip, Next Big Thing and More

Roundups

View all

IoT Product Roundup: PTC, Nokia, Arm and More

19th May 2022

IoT Deals, Partnerships Roundup: Intel, Nauto, Helium and more

14th May 2022

IoT Product Roundup: Amazon, Synaptics, Urban Control and More

27th April 2022

White Papers

View all

The Role of Manufacturing Technology in Continuous Improvement Ebook

6th April 2022

IIoT Platform Trends for Manufacturing in 2022

6th April 2022

Latest Videos

View all
Dylan Kennedy of EMQ

Embedded IoT World 2022: Dylan Kennedy of EMQ

Dylan Kennedy, EMQ’s VP of global operations, sat down with Chuck Martin at Embedded IoT World 2022.

Embedded IoT World 2022: Omdia’s Sang Oh Talks Vehicle Chip Shortage

Omdia’s automotive semiconductor analyst sits down with Chuck Martin at this year’s event

E-books

View all

How Remote Access Helps Enterprises Improve IT Service and Employee Satisfaction

12th January 2022

An Integrated Approach to IoT Security

6th November 2020

Webinars

View all

Rethinking the Database in the IoT Era

18th May 2022

Jumpstarting Industrial IoT solutions with an edge data management platform

12th May 2022

AI led Digital Transformation of Manufacturing: Time is NOW

9th December 2021

Special Reports

View all

Omdia’s Smart Home Market Dynamics Report

7th January 2022

Cybersecurity Protection Increasingly Depends on Machine Learning

28th October 2020

IoT Security Best Practices for Industry and Enterprise

20th October 2020

Twitter

IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Clearview AI has been fined $9.4 million for collecting images of people from social media platforms to add to its… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

24th May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Swiss-startup Airyacht is developing an eponymously named vehicle that it says will take the luxury-yacht experienc… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

@Tesla’s #Autopilot being investigated once again following fatal crash in Newport Beach, California. iotworldtoday.com/2022/05/23/tes…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

A new Kansas law will enable #driverless deliveries from @Walmart and its partner @Gatik_AI. #AVs… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Access a world of opportunity in 2022 with @IoTWorldToday ➡️ Now is time to unlock ROI, by accessing a global com… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

3D Home Printer to Build 72 Residences for National Homebuilder dlvr.it/SQhWSF https://t.co/XJOs70DqzH

19th May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Microsoft Ramping up Cybersecurity Service Offerings dlvr.it/SQhPR0 https://t.co/nYzaDRnyVY

19th May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

IoT Product Roundup: PTC, Nokia, Arm and More dlvr.it/SQhNNF https://t.co/ZApdw3RHdu

19th May 2022

Newsletter

Sign up for IoT World Today newsletters: vertical industry coverage on Tuesdays and horizontal tech coverage on Thursdays.

Special Reports

Our Special Reports take an in-depth look at key topics within the IoT space. Download our latest reports.

Business Resources

Find the latest white papers and other resources from selected vendors.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IoT World Series
  • Channel Futures
  • RISC-V
  • Dark Reading
  • ITPro Today
  • Web Hosting Talk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Login/Register

FOLLOW IoT World Today ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X