These Google inventions could change your life

09:27AM Sun 4 May, 2014

The technology giant likes to work on things that no one else in the world is taking on. In fact, some of them are well on their way to fruition. Here are a few of their zany but revolutionary ideas: Driverless cars Thanks to Google's driverless car experiment, the world may be on the verge of reducing the number of traffic fatalities in a year. The cars have already been able to master driving on American freeways, but Google has since announced that its test cars can handle city streets with pedestrians also. Google Glass Google Glass is bringing humans closer to technology than ever before. This year, Virgin Atlantic began testing the use of Glass as a means of checking in passengers at the airport. Magnetic hoverboard Google X also tinkered with the idea of a hoverboard. It considered using magnets to keep the hoverboard aloft, but since magnets tend to shift polarities, the hoverboard would constantly flip over. The team considered using other materials, but ultimately decided it would be too expensive, especially for a product that would only mildly affect society and people at large. Google lens For those who are too cool for glasses, Google is also working on a pair of smart contact lenses. The idea here is to help diabetics track their glucose levels. Meanwhile, a patent application recently surfaced that details how Google could add sensors and a micro-camera to the surface of a contact lens. Project Loon Project Loon is Google's attempt to bring Internet access to the entire world. The goal is to use hot-air balloons to provide Internet access to the two-thirds of the world living without it. Project Ara Project Ara is the search giant's ambitious modular smartphone concept designed exclusively for six billion people. With Ara, people can customise basically every aspect of their smartphone. And you can kiss expensive phone upgrades goodbye. Space elevator An elevator to space could change space travel, but Google reportedly hit a wall in its development due to material limitations. Still, who's to say Google won't give it another shot? Smartwatches Google is working on a slew of smart wearable technology. Back in March, Google announced its plans to bring Android to smartwatches through a new project called Android Wear. Google Fiber Google Fiber aims to provide Gigabit Internet speeds. This ultra-high speed Internet service will allow us to consume information at a never before seen rate.   Tech Gig