GOOGLE Glass – the head-up display that links to your phone and projects images directly in front of your eye – could be illegal to use while driving by the time the tech goes on sale in the UK next year.
The technology’s use while driving is already divisive. Used right, it could provide maps, navigation information and information about speed and even speed limits without the driver or rider ever having to look away from the road. But used wrong the same kit could let you read texts or emails, check Twitter or FaceBook, even surreptitiously watch videos – causing massive distraction. With no way to police how the device is being used, the DfT is believed to be considering an outright ban.
According to Stuff magazine, a spokesman from the DfT said: “'We are aware of the impending rollout of Google Glass and are in discussion with the Police to ensure that individuals do not use this technology while driving.”
Google Glass is already being publicly trialled by developers, and some have already tried the kit on motorcycles (see a video taken using Google Glass on a bike here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC32fE5gYBI)
Google has also filed patents for several other uses for the Glass HUD technology, including one for a motorcycle helmet with a built-in head-up-display.
