Dump text, take photos: Search goes visual with Google Goggles

Have you ever dreamed of search by sight? At least for many, search by sight is practically impossible. But, Google Goggles makes the impossible possible.

In a search event at Mountain View, Google unveiled their new service – Google Goggles, the concept of visual search or search by sight. This is how the visual search works – take snap of the thing you want to search with your mobile camera. In a matter of seconds, Goggles lists all the information about the place.

How does Goggles exactly work?

Google Goggles runs on Android operating system and requires GPS and digital compass on the mobile phone. Goggles uses GPS software and digital compass to track your location and position. Through this location tracking, it identifies the object you are pointing at and lists down information about it.

How to do visual search?

Start the Google Goggles app, take a snap and hit the results. It is as simple as that. The below video would detail more on the app:

How is this technically possible?

Goggles uses a set of algorithms to run visual search. Once a picture is taken, the app sends the user image to Google data center. Using ‘computer vision’ algorithm, Google creates a signature of objects, compares it with existing signatures from its database and then, identifies the image you clicked. If the exact signature match exists, you will be provided with search results. If not, you will be provided with similar image results. All these things happen in a matter of seconds.

Vic Gundotra, Vice President of Engineering in Google says: It’s estimated that up to two-thirds of our brain, of the human cortex, is involved in the processing of visual images. It’s widely believed by scientists that if we can figure out how the human brain processes images that would be a monumental step forward in understanding how the brain actually works. Vic Gundotra, Vice President of Engineering in Google says: It’s estimated that up to two-thirds of our brain, of the human cortex, is involved in the processing of visual images. It’s widely believed by scientists that if we can figure out how the human brain processes images that would be a monumental step forward in understanding how the brain actually works.

Goggles will be available for free download for Android platform 1.6+. Google is currently working on launching Goggles for other mobile platforms too. Currently Google Goggles can sense Landmark, Book, Contact Information, Artwork, Places, Wine and Logo.

Watch this Google Goggles demo video to know more. Watch this Google Goggles demo video to know more.

 

Google’s real time search news feed from Twitter would keep Goggles’ users updated with more real time information about the place or thing they search visually.