Technology
The AR tool of Google allows you to measure a distance from society by two meters
As lock-down measures worldwide are easier, observing an appropriate health protocol in public is more important than ever. This means wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and distancing yourself from society. This last step can be the trickiest, but Google has released a handy tool for increased reality which makes it a bit easier.
If you have an Android device, just go to http://goo.gle/sodar to launch the tool called SODAR, open the Chrome browser. No app is needed, although it will not function on iOS or older Android devices. Your handset is used to map the space around you, superimposed on the view from your camera by the two meter radius circle.
Sodar - use WebXR to help visualise social distancing guidelines in your environment. Using Sodar on supported mobile devices, create an augmented reality two meter radius ring around you. #hacktohelp https://t.co/Bu78QrEN9f pic.twitter.com/kufatNFDQk
— Experiments with Google (@ExpWithGoogle) May 28, 2020
We would describe its preciseness as "close enough" and "yes, sure" in our SODAR tests on Samsung's Galaxy S20. Not exactly two meters long (which is a little bit longer than the six feet, or 1,8288 meters in the US), but I don't think the infectious virus can be noticed. An exact number is less important than simply providing space for people.
Will instruments such as that now make a real difference in the COVID-19 spread? Perhaps not. Let's be honest, let's be honest. Anyone worried enough about social distancing to make SODAR open probably already knows how much room they are. While someone who doesn't care about social distancing won't have an app that changes their minds.
It's still a nice tool and I'm sure someone's going to find it useful or reassuring. At least it is better to imagine that if you can't visualize two meters you just imagine the length of three refrigerators than some of the official recommendations from the governments regarding correct social distancings. (No, that's not something we 're joking about.)
