Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems
Introduction
Google as a company has continued to set the pace for other technology industries over the recent past when it comes to technological enthusiasm. This is as a result of the continuous introduction of new projects both in software and hardware markets. Each of the projects has proven to be exceptionally good and has resulted in a simplification of tasks which were previously considered impossible. Some of the most innovative products set to be launched by Google include the Project Wing set to be launched in 2017, which is actually a drone delivery service, Google Fiber services a technology set to revitalize the current cable television and broadband internet connectivity with a superfast internet connection.
There is also the Google Glass technology which actually resembles a pair of optical spectacles, the pair of spectacles is fitted with android voice controlled features as well as other augmented reality experiences depending on the location of a person and it can be automatically controlled using audio commands as well as using the touchpad mounted on the frame of the spectacles. Among fascinating projects is project loon which is actually set to extend internet coverage across the globe by use of balloons, this will see internet connectivity penetrate to very remote parts of the world which previously had no internet. Finally the self-driving automobile, which is basically a driverless vehicle which aims at reducing the human errors incurred in the course of manually driving a vehicle. All these projects are set to transform the human life and make it much simpler than it is currently.
The Project Wing being undertaken by Google can be described as a drone delivery service, therefore the name project wing is actually a company code tag. This project was first introduced to the public limelight in 2014 via a YouTube video. The project was set to be launched by the year 2017 (Stewarat, 2014). Since the video aired on YouTube, Google as a company has not shed much light concerning how the project will be rolled out, however there are several basic aspects of the drone which were revealed concerning how the deliveries will be made using the Project Wing.
Google has already developed mobile delivery receptacles, which are to be used in combination with the delivery drones, the mobile delivery receptacles can be described as remote boxes which are located on the earth surface and they bear wheels. The work of these receptacles is to navigate the drone by communicating and guiding the drone when it is in the atmosphere. The communication between the two devices is through infrared lasers which essentially locate the drone from the location of the remote boxes.
Whenever the location of a drone is identified, the drone moves downwards to the level of the ground where the mobile delivery receptacle is located and the package in the drone is transferred into the mobile receptacle. After the transfer of the package is completed, the mobile delivery receptacle secures the package and then transports it to a holding location that is secure. It is presumed that after the package is delivered to a location that is secure, then the owner who is also the customer can collect it at that point (Stewarat, 2014). The package can also be delivered to the customer’s address by the local delivery means.
The main challenge of implementing the project is the designing of the drone because the first design by Google technicians was found to possess mid –air stability problems, because drowns are not stable when they get too close to the surface of the earth. This is due to the massive size of the drone wings which might not allow practical transfer of the package from the drone to the mobile delivery receptacles. In the course of flying down the drone might as well cause damage to structures and building around the region where it is set to transfer the package. However to curb this challenge Google is in the process of designing a better wing which is capable of propelling the drone to areas close to the ground surface similar to how the helicopters do (Stewarat, 2014).
If the project materializes then the delivery of a package from one region of the earth will be much faster as compared to the present delivery of packages using the airplanes. The aviation control system will ensure that methods of delivery are much more efficient and safe. This will also be a step ahead towards the commercialization of drone delivery services which will improve the international system of transport across the world.
Self –driving Automobile
The Google self-driving automobile project is aimed at producing vehicles which have the capability of taking the owner of the vehicle from one location to another just by pushing a button. The vehicle is designed in a different way as compared to the conventional vehicle currently on the road. The vehicle has no steering wheel and pedals which are considered most important elements when one is driving any vehicle. In the place of pedals and wheels is a prototype which allows a software and sensors to navigate the vehicle. The sensors are composed of cameras, radars and lasers which are designed in a way that allows object detection around the vehicle. In the place of an engine is a computer which is fitted with software designed for the self-driving. It also has several backup systems installed for the purpose of braking, steering and other purposes.
The design of the car is customized depending on a particular location. Therefore when making any purchase one has to pre-order the vehicle so that it can be fitted with a sensor and a map of where the vehicle is to be used. The vehicle is sensitive about the lane and street it uses. The sensor has a capability of detecting objects around the vehicle with the help of a software that puts objects in classes depending on their shape, size and also movement patterns. Therefore it is possible to detect a moving pedestrian as well as a cyclist and other vehicles on the road. The software decides the trajectory and safe speed for the car.
The vehicle is however subjected to the challenge of not being capable of handling privacy issues and also being a subject of cyber crimes due to the volume of data which has to be incorporated to the vehicle’s automated sensors (Guizzo, 2011). The vehicle relies on high technology cameras as well as precise GPS data systems. With these elements it is likely that the vehicle will amass too much information regarding the people using them as well as those around. To solve this issue it is important for the data and information system of the vehicle to be customized in a way that it can only operate under the command of an individual without offering loopholes that might interfere with the privacy of the user. Therefore the vehicle should be meant for personal use only.
The advantages of the self-driving automobile developed by Google is that it will curb the ever-growing number of traffic accidents resulting from careless driving. It will also reduce the problem of inadequate public transport drivers as well as allow the owner of the vehicle to comfortably move from one location to another while handling other daily activities inside the vehicle. Since the vehicle will be using computerized systems then the air pollution resulting from fuels used by vehicles will be managed as well because it is expected that the vehicle will be using electricity solely (Guizzo, 2011). The vehicle will also be efficient for persons with various disabilities because it will not require any manual handling other than the initial command.
Google Glass
Google glass actually resembles a pair of optical pair of spectacles commonly worn by people for different reasons. However this type of glass is designed in a way that it accommodate different interactive features. It is mounted with a display similar to that of a smartphone on the optical lenses. It also has supports other features such as a natural voice command, it allows Wi-Fi connectivity depending on the location of the one wearing the glasses as well as a Bluetooth feature. The glass sources its power from the Google Android Mobile Operating System and its compatibility design allows all mobile devices powered by Android Mobile devices as well as that of Apple iOS (Farber, 2013).
This technological innovation is however hindered by criticism from people who state that it subjects the wearer to ‘curious stares’ especially from the people around those wearing the glass. Those who come into contact with people wearing these glass might result into verbal disagreements as well as physical fights. This might happen in public places where people do not wish to be recorded by this device. This notion results from the assumption people make in thinking that the glass is on at all times.
This challenge can be solved by creating public awareness concerning how the glass works. People should be meant to understand that the design of the glass is similar to that of any smartphone and the glass power mode can be controlled by default. In addition to this to secure the user it is important for the developers to include a light signal that indicates to the third party when the glass is performing a particular function to avoid the curious stares and eruption of any kind of misunderstandings.
There are several benefits derived from the use of the Google glass is that it supports hands-free activities for instance the phone call receiving feature and therefore it reduces too much locomotion, therefore it enhances convenience as well due to the various applications which it supports which can be manipulated by simple movements such as those of the head or eyes without having to draw a phone from the pocket. Finally the glass allows its user to multitask without having to face in a different direction away from the task one was performing a case in point is a driver on a busy highway, with the glass the driver can concentrate on the road while at the same time viewing the map of the direction one is interested in taking.
Project Loon
The Project Loon being undertaken by Google is meant to offer internet connection to areas which are considered to have any access to the internet. Therefore the areas targeted by this research project development are mainly remote and rural areas. The project applies the use of very high altitude balloons which are located about 20 kilometers within the stratosphere away from the surface of the earth. The high altitude balloons take advantage of the fact that in the stratosphere winds are stratified and every layer of the wind is varied in terms of direction and wind.
The balloons use a variety of algorithms software which determines the direction the balloons need to take. The balloon designed in a way that it can last about 100 days in the stratosphere. They also have solar panels which are designed in a way that allows maximum reception of light for the purpose of powering the Loon systems. It contains structures which resemble boxes and they secure circuit boards which control their systems. These boxes circuits are used to communicate with the internet antennas on earth surface as well as with each other loon. The balloons create a wireless network from their aerial positioning covering a diameter of about 80 kilometers (Katikala, 2014). They wireless network offers very fast internet connections courtesy of the 4G-LTE feature.
One of the main challenge set to face the Loon Project stems from regulatory issues, this is because the balloons cellular operations might interfere with the current set cellular transmission paths as well as surveillance interruptions set by different countries. In addition these balloons are likely to cause interference in the routes set for the charted airplanes as well as military aircraft.
This issues can be solved if the developers of the project negotiate with the government stakeholders involved in regions where the loons are set to be placed. Google as a company can come up with operation mechanisms for the balloons networks based on the available shared spectrums and come up with ways which can improve the coverage without interfering with the operations of any other service providers in a country. For instance, the project developers can set up towers that are new for the purpose of expansion without making any interference.
If the Loon Project materializes then it can dramatically reduce the high costs incurred by people in different countries to access the internet via the fiber cable, which have to be laid and installed below the earth surface in order for people to access the internet (Katikala, 2014). This could also go a long way in ensuring that the usage of the internet spreads to the third world countries such as Southeast Asia where internet coverage has not reached most of the regions which cannot afford to lay the underground cables of fiber. This will open up the marginalized and remote regions of the world to the rest of the world. Communication is key in improving the economy of any country as well as raising the standards of living of people living in particular regions of the world (Gallaugher, 2012).
Google Fiber
Google Fiber project is also referred to as Google’s Fiber to Premise Service. The project is already underway in the United States. It is essentially a Fiber internet service which is set to upgrade the existing fiber network that has been there over the past years. The aim of this upgrade is to boost the speeds of the internet to higher speeds. The project undertaken by Google is not only limited to internet service but also television service as well.
The range of the internet service speed is approximated to be about 5Mbps to 1000Mbps. This means that the current internet speed is set to improve up to 1000% (Farber, 2013). In addition to the improved internet speeds the project offers television channels at a charge that is monthly extra. However, the raised internet speeds outweigh the extra television channel charges. The project is already underway in regions such as Kansas and Missouri in U.S. The project is set to roll out to other towns around the world over the coming years. The services offered under the Google Fiber project are dependent on the location the location one is. One of the interesting features of this project is the fact that together with the television service offered, a person can as well stream a program content that is live or saves it on the google drive. The streaming is supported by devices like the android tablet computers or even an iPad. There are several different plans of service set out by Google for customer subscription. The different plans vary in terms of cost and the customer subscribes to the most appropriate plan he or she is interested in.
The main issue concerning the Google Fiber is the fact that the Google Fiber project does not support ESPN channel as well as many other channels. Therefore, the package offered under the Google Fiber project are considered too selective and they lock out some people who might not enjoy the channels being offered under their plan. In order to curb this issue it is important that Google should carry out an overview survey of the channels people within a given region prefer watching.
This will be an initial step towards an overall coverage plan. After conducting the survey and analyzing the results, the developers should negotiate with the different network providers so that they can be in a position to incorporate some of the channels and networks into the Google Fiber project in a partnership project. This will ensure that a majority of the people who prefer the fast internet connectivity do not miss out on programs and channels not included in the project.
The project has several benefits and the first is the fact that it reduces the internet buffering especially when the user is streaming a particular video thus it saves on time. It is also a cost efficient project based on the different plans set and this translates to making the general broadband service become more affordable in families or communities that have low incomes. In essence what the project does is closing the digital divide which is currently being experienced in many parts of the world.
Conclusion
Google has continued to be on the forefront in the field of technology and innovation. The company has invested a lot of resources in research projects which are meant to make the human life become easy in terms of easing the way things are done. If the technological projects materialize then the standards of living among the different communities in the universe will improve. More work will be undertaken within a short time and the world will become a global village because people around the world will be able to interact in a more efficient way as compared to the way they are doing currently. This will also improve the world economy because the innovative projects will ease the way business is conducted in a general way all over the world.
References
Farber, D. (2013). What Google Glass aspires to be. CNET, p. 4.
Guizzo, E. (2011). How Google’s Self-Driving Car Works.
Gallaugher, J. (2012). Information systems: A manager’s guide to harnessing technology (ver. 1.3). Irvington, NY: Flat World Knowledge.
Katikala, S. (2014). GoogleTM Project Loon. Rivier Academic Journal, 10(2), 3–8.
Stewarat, J. (2014). Google tests drone deliveries in Project Wing trials.
