Is selecting with smart glasses the future?

A Creative Technology student for the University of Twente has begun examining the use of smart watches and smart glasses, such as Google Glass, in the selection process of fruit and vegetables, his work has been commissioned by Tradle. In the film below the results can be seen.

This movie gives a glimpse of the future:

Research by Creative Technology student

In examining the application of wearable technology in the selection process of fruit and vegetables they are mainly looking at smart spectacles (smart glasses) and smart watches. Google Glass is a popular example of smart glasses, but there are many more providers of 'computer glasses'. In the study, the activities and operations are mapped during the selection process, and they are investigating whether the opportunities, that the wearable technology brings, adds value to the process. The conditions during the selection process is demanding of the technology. Attention was also placed here during the research.

The research has shown that smart glasses, especially, provide added value to the process. Hands free work and the addition of, for example, vision technology (automatic image analysis) for internal or external colour tests or signalling abnormalities, can make the selection process easier and can provide objective results. One conclusion from the research is that the current smart glasses are not ready for use in this way. The battery life, processing capacity and robustness of the smart glasses are not yet sufficiently developed. The underlying technology for automatic image analysis is already well developed, but further work would also need to be done on this.

Do smart spectacles (smart glasses) have a future?

Do smart spectacles (smart glasses) still have a future now that Google Glass has failed as a consumer product? The answer is yes. The privacy argument, that is drumming up a lot of fuss, is not an issue for process supporting professional applications. This has not stopped Google from further developing, and beyond Google, there are plenty of other companies busy developing smart glasses. Through 'Google Glass at Work' Google wants to build a business platform for companies that use Glass. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has initiated trails and has developed an app for Google Glass which should help facilitate airport employees out on the tarmac, and help to simplify what they're doing. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas you could practically trip over the amount of smart glasses there. Recently Microsoft has introduced the Hololens, which is a cross between Google Glass and Oculus Rift (virtual reality). Intel recently invested 25 million dollars in Vuzix, producer of augmented reality glasses for professional applications. Developments are going further and professional applications are definitely available.

Tradle

Tradle Fresh Quality Management makes recording, monitoring and analysing from production to shelf possible. Tradle strives to optimize the development of new quality management technology in the fresh foods sector.

For more information about the research or about Tradle: henk.aarts@tradle.nl