Google's new AR tool will visualise social distancing for you

If you’re having trouble adhering to social distancing rules, Google’s got you covered.

The tech company has released a new augmented reality (AR) tool that uses your phone’s camera to show you a virtual 2-meter (6 feet) social distancing boundary.

At the moment the tool, which Google is calling ‘Sodar’, only works on Google Chrome and Android devices at the moment.

The AR tool won’t be perfectly precise but it will give you an idea of where to draw the line when mixing with other people. Snapchat notably did something similar back in April.

If you want to try it out for yourself, you need to head to sodar.withgoogle.com and scan the QR code on the site to launch it on your phone.

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Once you’ve done that, you point your phone downwards, and move it around to find the ground. The measuring tool should then appear. 

There are different social distancing recommendations in different countries. The World Health Organization says a distance of one metre is safe, while some governments suggest 1.5m or 1.8m. The UK has opted for two metres.