Skydivers on the screen
Google co-founder Sergey Brin employed skydivers, cyclists and abseilers in an elaborate publicity stunt to show off the company's Google Glasses at its developers' conference in San Francisco on Wednesday.
The network-enabled, computerised glasses — introduced under a scheme called 'Project Glass' — are fitted with a camera that records and transmits what the wearer sees. They come with a button on top to take photos and videos, and a transparent screen to show information.
Above, Brin (left, foreground) stands in front of a live feed from one the skydivers wearing Google Glasses in a blimp above San Francisco.
Skydiver looks out over the city
Google posted a video of the stunt online, showing the live feed of the skydivers in the blimp as they prepared to descend on the Moscone convention centre. Note the feeds from each of the skydivers at the bottom of the screen.
"You've seen demos that were slick and robust. This will be nothing like that," Brin told the crowd at Google I/O. "This could go wrong in about 500 different ways."
He explained to ZDNet UK's sister site CNET News some of the technical challenges involved, included the fact the 3G cuts out over 1,000 feet, making transmission of images somewhat difficult.
Skydivers POV of the city
The live feed showed the city advancing on the skydivers as they jumped out of the blimp and dropped towards the event, landing on the roof of the convention centre.
Cyclists invade the centre
As the skydivers landed, a pack of Google Glasses-wearing cyclists invaded the convention centre and joined Brin on stage. Meanwhile, a team of climbers abseiled down the outside of the building to join the fun.
Skydivers, cyclists and climbers on stage at Google I/O
The skydivers, cyclists and climbers soaked up the applause from the crowd as Brin thanked them and went on to explain a bit more about Project Glass.
Google Glasses close-up
Here's a close-up view of a pair of Google Glasses modelled by a Google I/O attendee, showing the embedded camera.
US-based developers at Google I/O can pre-order the Project Glass Explorer Edition for delivery next year — though it will set them back $1,500 (£965).