A new Kickstarter project uses 3D printing to produce “cap” for your Google Glass. GlassKap, a project launched by Todd Blatt, hopes to raise funds to start production of this handy add-on.
Google Glass, for those unfamiliar, is a wearable computer in the form of “glasses” that can provide instant geo-relevant information directly to your eye. It can also take pictures of whatever your head happens to be pointed at.
Hold on – why does Google Glass need a cap? What is a cap?
The cap is an add-on that covers the image sensor on Google Glass, visibly demonstrating to everyone in the vicinity that you are not and cannot be capturing images or videos.
Unwanted video and image capture turns out to be a significant social barrier to the adoption of Google Glass, as you can see by reading “Using Google Glass: A Series of Awkward Encounters“.
The GlassKap hopes to solve this modern social dilemma. Will it work? Only if people are sufficiently observant to notice the cap and understand what it does.
While the original intent of GlassKap prevented image capture, the concept led to a variety of other 3D printed add-ons for Google Glass:
- An indicator that you are in fact capturing video (see image above)
- A pencil holder to avoid using your ear for that purpose
- A shield to ensure you can see the tiny screen in bright lighting conditions
- A scratch protector
- and more for a total of nine functions
The GlassKap accessories are 3D printed in nylon on an EOS machine and could be yours for as little as USD$25 for one or USD$95 for all nine varieties.
Via Kickstarter
