Google’s Project Glass pulls open the curtains on Google X, the company’s bet on dream tech

A top secret lab located somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, Google X is focused on “pie in the sky” ideas. Google won’t say what the lab’s engineers are working on, but here’s a look at some of the speculation in the press.

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Augmented reality glasses

On April 4, Google's Project Glass revealed a prototype of the long-rumored Google glasses. The specs would augment the wearer’s reality via the power of the Web, allowing them to access tools such as Google Maps and video chat as well as share photos and videos with friends on Google+.

Google /

Augmented reality glasses

Google released a video on YouTube that follows a day in the life of a Google glasses user. The new technology is still and testing and allows the wearer to connect with the Web.

Space elevator?

This has been an obsession for many scientists for decades. This artist’s rendering of the platform of a space elevator is based on Bradley C. Edwards's idea of a room that climbs 62,000 miles into space.

Anonymous / AP

Space elevator?

An artist’s rendering of a different angle of a proposed space elevator is shown in this undated image released by the Institute for Scientific Research. Although outsiders laugh, the institute Edwards works for has a NASA contract, and he has said he thinks an initial version could be operating in 15 years.

Anonymous / AP

Robot workers?

In this Feb. 16, 2011 photo, Reimers Electra Steam President Roger L. Burkhart talks with a robot that is communicating with electrical engineer Erwin Deininger to perform his duties at his business in Clear Brook, Va.

Jeff Taylor / AP

Robot workers?

Ubix staff member Takashi Iijima looks at "Ubiko," a middle-size service robot, at the company's office in Tokyo, in November 2006. The robot-on-wheel is part of a crew of temporary workers that a Japanese job-referral company hopes will be used at stores, events and even weddings.

Junji Kurokawa / AP

Driverless car?

Google's Sebastian Thrun, who co-invented Google Street View, is reported to be working on a car that drives itself. In this photo taken April 1, 2010, of an unrelated project, Stanford graduate student Mick Kritayakirana shows the computer system inside a driverless car on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, Calif. The car, named Shelley, is the latest vehicle engineered by Stanford University researchers who are developing technology that could help make driving safer and one day allow ordinary vehicles to drive on their own.

Paul Sakuma / AP

Driverless car

The auto industry has also been exploring driverless car technology. In an illustration provided by General Motors, an all-around collision warning using traditional sensing is shown. Automakers and parts suppliers are working on similar systems, and GM chief executive Rick Wagoner will devote part of a Tuesday speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to electronically controlled driverless cars. The plan is to use an inexpensive computer chip and an antenna to link vehicles equipped with radar-based cruise control, lane change warning devices, electronic stability control, satellite global positioning systems and digital maps.

/ AP

Interconnected home appliances and dinner dishes?

Engineers have been talking about home appliances and dishes that talk to one another for years, but could Google X finally make this a reality?

Len Spoden / McInturff Architects

Internet of Things?

The vision of a world where every item and person is tagged with a chip that helps identify them and communicate with everything else is becoming more and more of a reality every day. Workers stand on a cherry picker in front of a banner with a large mobile phone as preparations for at IFA, one of the world's largest trade fairs for consumer electronics and electrical home appliances, in Berlin.

Gero Breloer / AP

Google co-founder Sergey Brin, left, along with Google chief executive Larry Page and Chairman Eric Schmidt, is said to personally oversee the Google X lab.

Chris Pizzello / AP

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

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