What does Google’s latest augmented reality app do?

Called Sodar, the app uses your phone’s camera and augmented reality technology to show you how far away you need to stand from the people around you. An experimental version launched recently and can be accessed via Google Chrome with an Android phone.

Users will first need to make sure they have Google Play Services for AR installed on their phone in order to use the app. Then they can go to the Sodar website via Chrome on their device. With their permission, the app will use the device’s camera to create a 3-D map of the surrounding environment. According to TechRadar, for security purposes the images collected through the camera for the app’s use will remain on the device and not be transmitted.

Once the 3-D map has been set up, a circle will be superimposed upon the screen. Anything within the circle is within 6 feet of you, so you’ll know if you’re too close to another person without having to guess.