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Amid debate, Google Glass app wakes drowsy drivers

By Neal Augenstein

WASHINGTON – As the controversy continues over whether a driver should wear Google Glass behind the wheel, a new app for the wearable computer is available that helps keep drowsy drivers awake.

“We’re using the sensors built on Glass to help detect when drivers are falling asleep behind the wheel,” says Jake Steinerman, lead developer of DriveSafe for Glass.

Google Glass, with its optical head-mounted display, uses verbal commands and taps to project images on a tiny screen located just above a user’s line of sight.

Glass is not yet available to the public, although the number of people – dubbed Explorers by Google, and willing to pay $1500 for the device – is growing quickly.

“You can just say ‘Okay, Glass – keep me awake,'” says Steinerman.

Steinerman says the software – or glassware, when related to Glass – uses the devices infrared sensor to detect how many times a user blinks, as well as a tilt sensor to determine whether a person’s head is tilting back and forth.

If the sensors indicate a driver is drowsy, a voice command sounds.

“We’re still tweaking the exact words, but it’s along the lines of ‘It looks like you’re falling asleep, you should pull over. If you want directions to the nearest rest stop, just tap on Glass,'” says Steinerman.

Thursday, California driver Cecilia Abadie was cleared after contesting what is believed to be the first citation for wearing Glass while driving.

Steinerman says lawmakers’ debate over whether it should be illegal to wear Glass while driving is premature.

“I don’t think most have or any of them have tried Glass for themselves,” says Steinerman, “or at least tried it behind the wheel.”

Steinerman says Glass is designed to provide snippets of information quickly, and that moments later the information disappears and the tiny screen goes dark.

When initializing DriveSafe for Glass, a graphic reading “Keeping you awake” appears on the screen.

“Two seconds later the display disappears. It shuts off completely, and you won’t see it again until it detects you’re falling asleep,” says Steinerman.

“In most cases, day to day, the screen is off 90 to 99 percent of the time.”

DriveSafe is not yet integrated into the MyGlass control app, so users who want to experiment with it must side-load it onto Glass.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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