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Google Is Developing An AI Cancer-Spotting Microscope
The search giant has teamed up with the US Department of Defense to build the new detection tool.
Google has developed an “Augmented Reality Microscope” (ARM) in collaboration with the US Department of Defense. The prototype uses AI enhancements to add real-time visual indicators such as heat maps or object boundaries, making identifying the presence of known pathogens and cancer cells easier.
The ARM was first teased in 2018, and the latest prototype has still not been used to diagnose real patients. After further testing, Google hopes that the technology will be “retrofitted into existing light microscopes in hospitals and clinics”. Once installed, ARM-equipped microscopes will give clinicians a variety of visual feedback cues, including text, arrows, contours, animations and heat maps.
The US Department of Defense’s “Defense Innovation Unit” has already negotiated agreements with Google to enable Augmented Reality Microscope distribution through military channels. ARM is expected to cost $90,000 to $100,000 per unit — a figure well beyond many local health providers.
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This is not the first time Google Health has invested in AI-powered diagnostic tools. Parent company Alphabet already has a strong record of partnering with startups that invest in AI to “improve healthcare” and is projected to have spent over $200 billion on AI technology over the past decade — something that’s especially noteworthy at a time when the World Health Organization is predicting a worldwide deficit of 15 million health care workers by 2030.
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Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.