The next technology-vs.-real-life clash is shaping up in the car — again — as anti-distracted-driving advocates call for a ban of Google's futuristic Glass behind the wheel, though some techies say the Internet-enhanced spectacles could end up making driving easier and safer.
"You necessarily need to take your eyes off the road," said Glass-user Andrew Perlman, a professor at Suffolk University Law School. He said he tried driving with them once, but found it too distracting. "It's not something I would want to use while driving."
"It certainly sounds like it is a visual and a mental distraction," said Jeff Larson, president of the Safe Roads Alliance, adding that he would like Google Glass-like devices that put the Internet in front of the wearer's eyes addressed by the law.
The state's safe driving law is broad enough to include Glass, the Department of Transportation said, under the same provision that bans "distracting objects" such as televisions. Spokeswoman Sara Lavoie said it is up to police to interpret and cite drivers for distracted driving.
"The technology is new," said Trooper Todd Nolan, a spokesman for the state police, "A lot of us are unfamiliar with it."
He said it does not seem to be an issue now because sightings of the sci-fi frames are rare.
"If or when they do become more prevalent, we'll have to address it then," Nolan said.
Roger Kay, a technology analyst, said Glass is still in its infancy, and the best uses have not been developed yet.
"Most of its potential is really in the future," Kay said. "Rather than being distracting ... it could actually enhance the driving experience."
Kay envisions an app that uses Glass's camera to alert the driver when another car is slowing down, or getting too close.
Perlman said he didn't see the value in wearing Glass while driving, and said it had about the same distracting effect as a common GPS on a dashboard — currently one of the few legal screen uses for drivers.
"I don't think it's any more distracting," Perlman said.
Google Glass is not now widely available. But the devices may start to show up on more faces in the coming months, with Google aiming to expand from 10,000 "Glass Explorers" in 2014. Yesterday, Google sent out invitations to buy the $1,500 device to subscribers of its music subscription service, All Access. In a statement, Google said, "Explorers should always use Glass responsibly and put their safety and the safety of others first."
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