Google’s new social distancing app lets you easily see if someone is standing too close to you

By James Cook

Google has released a new tool which lets you easily see social distancing guidelines overlaid on the real world using augmented reality.

The company released Sodar (which likely means “social distancing radar”) this week and it’s available free for anyone using a modern Android smartphone.

The app is only available for Android users, so you’re out of luck if you have an iPhone.

Here’s how you can use it:

Download Google Chrome and Google Play Services for AR

You’ll need two pieces of software installed: Google Chrome, which is likely to be your default web browser, and Google Play Services for AR.

Many modern smartphones have Google Play Services for AR already installed, but if you don’t have it, search for it in the Google Play Store and download it:

Head to the Sodar website

Once you have downloaded that, fire up Google Chrome and type in: sodar.withgoogle.com

This will open up the web page for Sodar. Hit the green “Launch” button to begin.

Teach the app where the ground is

Now, you’ll need to point your phone’s camera at the ground so that the app learns where you are.

Once you’ve done that, a shaded area will appear around you on your smartphone screen – this is your space.

See how to social distance

A ring around the edge of your space shows where two metres ends.

So this chair, for example, is not practising social distancing as it’s less than two metres away.

Now you can use the app wherever you are to easily show social distancing guidelines, whether you’re in the queue outside a supermarket or standing in the street.