blog post 11/21/14

A nervous new doctor performing a procedure for the first time puts on a pair of Google Glass and scrubs in. From the moment she makes her first incision, a live video feed of the operation is streamed from her glasses to a surgeon outside the operating room who gives live feedback over earbuds.Training medical professionals is just one of the many workplace uses Google Glass is experimenting with. Earlier this year, Google launched its glass at works certification program, in which it collaborates with businesses interested in using Glass to improve productivity and save money. Ten companies have signed on so far.Google's head-mounted computer is almost two years old, but the product is still officially in beta. Glass was originally marketed only as a consumer device, but it has had difficulty finding a niche in the consumer market, where it struggled with privacy, etiquette and safety issues. But then some of Glass' early adopters put the wearable to work, using the device to make their jobs more efficient.Some of the most exciting potential for wear ables is in the health industry, where workers need to keep their hands sterile. The small screen mounted on Glass can be used to display checklists or vital signs. Smart glasses can also let specialists consult on cases far from their hospital. This type of telemedicine has been around for years, but high costs and regulation have made widespread adoption difficult.