 "Prototype app for Google Glass turns users into amateur car mechanics")
Many car enthusiasts can relate to the frustration felt when they have to call on a mechanic to fix a problem they can’t work their way around. A new Google Glass app developed by augmented reality tech makers Metaio could do away with the need to ask for professional help, though.
So far, the only real way to figure out what is wrong with your car is to grab a do-it-yourself manual. Users will then have to go via a step-by-step instruction set to change the brake oil for example, or alter the compression ratio and replace a timing belt. Alternatively, a simple Google search can now give you all the information you need about fixing your car. The idea, though, of setting up a laptop or desktop in your workshop may not be a viable option, keeping in mind the oil and engine grime that will be doing the rounds.
The new app, from what can be heard, will fuse all the benefits of having a step-by-step manual and Google’s search engine strapped on to your face. It will be able to lead you through the repair process of any kind of engine or car part.
AR firm Metaio has developed a new Google Glass app to fix automobile engines
The company has also claimed that the prototype app is the first of its kind in the world, primarily because it does not need markers or tags on real-world objects, or even GPS information to be able to identify the engine component the user is looking at. The coolest part about the app, from what can be seen, is that it easily overlays information and diagrams directly over the part component being looked at.
The app will officially be demonstrated at this year’s Inside AR conference which will start on October 10 in Munich, Germany. The company has also said that the app will work on similar devices like Vuzix and Epson. The company’s CTO, Peter Meier, has said that the concept app is only the first step in bringing a new way of applying augmented reality to everyday life. According to Meier, the company is, “Going beyond one-off passive viewing experiences. Metaio is taking all the necessary steps to ensure an always on, always augmented future, and we’re beginning that journey in a big way at this year’s InsideAR.” It should be interesting to see just how well the app can work in real-world conditions, though, and whether the company will limit itself to just the automobile industry.