The Mountain View giant has confirmed that it will begin testing its new augmented reality suite sometime in August. Google will conduct tests using prototypes in the public space, but that’s clear they have no intention of repeating the mistakes of the pastand that it will require a much calmer and more conservative approach.

I’m sure many of our readers will remember what happened with Google Glass, and that’s exactly what Mountain View wants to avoid with its new augmented reality kit, which repeats the situation it’s been experiencing with these smart glasses for several years. With this in mind, we’re not surprised that this new kit will have important improvements at the hardware level, including better screens, microphones and cameras, but it will not allow the user to record video or take photos.

With the integration of these cameras and the augmented reality system that this Google kit will integrate, we will be able to use it to get very useful information on the street, including translations from menu cards, posters and signs for routes to get to certain places, among other things, and without controversies arising from the issue of privacy, because, as we said, it will not be possible to record video or take photos.

Only a few Google employees will be able to test the kit

As clear as Google has been, initial tests will be limited to a few dozen employees who will be able to use the kits in public. The company also said that at the time the kits collect images the indicator LED lights upand ensures that the user will be able to delete these captured images if they believe they appeared in them.

Google had this to say verbatim on the subject:

“Once the experience is complete, the image data will be deleted, except when the image data will be used for analysis and debugging. In such a case, the image data is first cleared for sensitive content, including faces and license plates.”

Google intends to take it slow to get it right and is thinking put more emphasis on privacy to protect both those conducting the tests and people who may indirectly and involuntarily participate in them (for example, pedestrians). As expected, this round of testing will be limited to the United States.