Google just backed some new smart glasses - and these ones will actually change lives

You may have heard the rumour going around: Google's got a little bit of money these days. So as part of its second Global Impact Challenge initiative, it's just awarded a bunch of UK-based tech projects a tonne of cash to go out and change the world.

Ten groups were selected for the final stage of the challenge, which took place today. Four of the final ten (announced by Sir Richard Branson's massive head which dialled in for a video call) were awarded £500,000 (around $845,000/AU$908,000) while the runners-up all walked away with a still-respectable £200,000 (around $338,000/AU363,000) each. Nothing to sniff at.

Gaming: it's good for you

Google Impact

Another intriguing idea - and winner - was the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew's wearable device that can hear mosquitoes. The small gizmo can be attached to a wristband and aims to detect different types of mosquito so as to help prevent certain diseases. Apparently every species of mosquito has its own unique wing beat. Who knew?

One that didn't quite manage to bag the £500k, but did catch our attention, was an idea formed from Android game technology and wearables to help improve the mental health of young people. Created by We Are What We Do, the project is a game, which works by helping people strengthen their emotional resilience and manage stress.

"The aim is to create a game that is really playable, but with this extra component that makes it more interesting," company CEO (and TEDx speaker) Nick Stanhope told TechRadar. "So plugged into FIFA, for example, to take a winning penalty you have to stay cool under pressure… it's something that will be built into games. So we're building a concept that can show the benefits of mental health for everybody. And shows the games industry this is a really interesting mechanic that can be built into games."

The aim is to get the project in the hands of people in three years time. "Once they've learned that behaviour, it's very difficult to unlearn in."

The two other winners picked by the judges were Centrepoint - a data analytics project to help resolve homelessness among young people - and WeFarm, a P2P communication service for farmers to improve their livelihoods.

Of course, the other six hardly walked away empty handed. And as Jimmy Wales said "What better way to spend an afternoon than giving away massive amounts of Google's money?"

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Hugh Langley

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.


Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.