Google brings its AR prototype test to Canada

Source: Google

Google is expanding its real-world augmented reality prototype test to the country. Next month, Google AR will bring this small-scale testing to select Googlers in Waterloo and Toronto under the "same privacy and safety measures originally outlined." As 9to5Google pointed out, the Kitchener-Waterloo region is where Focals maker North is located, which Google acquired in 2020. It's also home to "Google's biggest R&D office in Canada."

This "small-scale testing" is done in public instead of in labs with prototypes that include those that "look like normal glasses with an in-lens display," microphone, and camera. The company wants to "ensure device durability, optimize user experiences and improve overall helpfulness of potential smart glasses." 

Google is testing experiences like translation, navigation, and speech transcription. When it comes to privacy, there's an LED indicator that notes when "image data will be saved for analysis and debugging." It also won't conduct tests in schools, government buildings, healthcare locations, places of worship, social service locations, areas meant for children (e.g., schools and playgrounds), emergency response locations, rallies or protests, and other similar places.

The company started the test in the US in August with a "few dozen Googlers and select trusted testers."