The development of Google Glass, Google’s computerized headset that features a camera with a small display above the right eye, has long shown significant promise in improving the lives of children with autism. Researchers at Stanford University are currently conducting a study using facial recognition software that runs on Google Glass to see whether the software can help children with autism deal with one of their greatest challenges—reading emotions in the faces of others. The camera on the device is able to detect emotions like happiness or sadness and shows the corresponding words, or an emoji, on the glass display.
From an Associated Press article reporting on the study:
“The autism glass program is meant to teach children with autism how to understand what a face is telling them. And we believe that when that happens, they will become more socially engaged,” said Dennis Wall, whose lab is running the study.