Ever since Google officially took the wraps off Google Glass, lawmakers have been understandably worried about idiots who wear Glass while driving and get into accidents because they were up-voting cat pictures on Reddit instead of watching the road. But even though there are some very valid reasons to consider banning wearing Glass while driving, there are some potential Glass applications that could save drivers’ lives instead of ending them.
GigaOM reports that DriveSafe has developed a Glass app that uses the headset’s sensors to detect when you are either nodding off or aren’t paying attention to the road in front of you. The app then snaps you to attention with an alarm sound or some kind of visual flash alert. The app can also give you directions to the nearest rest stop if you’re feeling tired and need to take a break from driving. Drivers using the app can activate it simply by saying “OK Glass, keep me awake” before getting into their car and the software will take care of the rest.
Whether this convinces anyone that it’s safe to drive while Glassing remains to be seen but it’s at least one counter to the argument that wearing Glass in the car is inherently unsafe.
