On February 2, Apple commenced the shipment of the Vision Pro, a cutting-edge mixed-reality headset that aims to revolutionize the world of AR/VR headsets. While some hailed it as the most groundbreaking technological advancement of the past decade, others argue that it is not significantly different from other VR headsets available in the market, and may eventually be abandoned unless Apple introduces some innovative use-case scenarios. Nevertheless, the Vision Pro has the potential to disrupt the existing norms and practices, although not always for the better.
The success of the Vision Pro is of limited importance, except perhaps to Apple and those who have invested $3,499 in it. What is more crucial is the unforeseen potential applications of this device. Some of these applications could pose serious risks to people’s lives. We have already witnessed instances where individuals have been seen driving their Tesla vehicles while wearing the Vision Pro headset, mere hours after its delivery. In one such case, a Tesla Model Y was involved, and the driver attempted to justify their actions by relying on the Full Self-Driving feature to compensate for the distraction.
The concept of “spatial computing” introduced by Apple does not align well with another computer system found in Tesla electric vehicles, namely the Autopilot computer. Firstly, the Apple Vision Pro has a limited field of view, which makes it unsuitable for driving a car. This has been a major complaint among individuals who have had the opportunity to test Apple’s VR goggles. Driving without being fully aware of one’s surroundings is akin to engaging in a dogfight while piloting a jet fighter and only relying on the cockpit screens for information.
Wearing the Apple Vision Pro while driving: does it make you a “glasshole”? This is precisely why Apple has not designed the Vision Pro to be used while operating a vehicle. Apple does not shy away from acknowledging this fact, and hence, includes a specific warning in the user’s guide. The warning explicitly states, “Never use Apple Vision Pro while operating a moving vehicle, bicycle, heavy machinery, or in any other situations requiring attention to safety.” However, this warning alone is clearly insufficient.
Individuals who believe that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature will ensure their safety while indulging in their virtual world are living in a state of delusion. Tesla leaves no room for ambiguity, with numerous warnings and checkboxes emphasizing that neither Autopilot nor Full Self-Driving can guarantee safe driving without human supervision. And achieving human supervision is practically impossible when one is burdened with the absurdity of wearing these goggles.
When the Autopilot and Vision Pro are combined, it creates a recipe for disaster. This is not only due to the limited visibility caused by the Vision Pro, but also because it is inherently more distracting than any smartphone. And this level of distraction is intentional, otherwise, there would be no desire to use such a device. Unfortunately, many fail to comprehend this reality and recklessly put their lives at risk in an attempt to showcase their prowess on the road.
In another video that circulated on social media, the situation took a turn for the worse. This time, the person operating a Tesla Cybertruck was wearing a cutting-edge Vision Pro helmet. In the world of tech enthusiasts, this combination is considered highly impressive. However, when it comes to safety, it’s a different story. Unlike the Model Y, the Cybertruck does not currently have a functioning Autopilot system, let alone Full Self Driving capabilities. Therefore, the truck must be manually driven, and wearing an Apple Vision Pro helmet does not assist in this regard.
Nevertheless, the video demonstrates the Cybertruck driver making the distinctive hand gestures that have become synonymous with using a Vision Pro helmet. Despite the Vision Pro’s feature that allows users to see through the virtual screens, it is important to note that this is achieved through a virtual display, which has its own limitations.
Apple must prioritize safety measures. One such concern is latency, as the images captured by the cameras need to pass through the image processor before being displayed. Additionally, the virtual screen itself poses a potential issue. If anything were to go wrong, the screen would simply disappear, leaving the user in complete darkness. It is worth noting that the Vision Pro headset does not allow direct light to pass through.
Wearing a virtual reality (VR) device while operating a vehicle is not only foolish but also incredibly hazardous. Unlike smartphones, the Vision Pro not only serves as a distraction but also obstructs vision. This can lead to accidents that may result in fatalities for both the driver and others on the road. Apple, as well as car manufacturers, must take immediate action to prevent the worst-case scenarios from occurring.
Furthermore, legislation will need to adapt to this new technology, but this process also takes time. It will be a while before laws are enacted that prohibit drivers from wearing VR headsets. We have already witnessed how long it took for legislation to ban phone use while driving, and even that is not without its flaws. The same will need to happen for the Apple Vision Pro and similar devices.
Apple has implemented certain safeguards in the Vision Pro to prevent its use while walking. However, the situation is different when it comes to driving. The Travel Mode feature is intended for use on airplanes, but it can be activated while driving. The Vision Pro is unaware of whether the user is operating a vehicle or sitting in the backseat. This needs to change.
Apple must swiftly find a solution to prevent the use of the Vision Pro while driving. This should not be a difficult task, especially considering that the device’s cameras can detect the road in front of the user and undoubtedly the presence of a steering wheel. Tesla and other car manufacturers could also train their cabin cameras to identify the VR headset and disable certain functions when the driver is wearing it. Otherwise, we will continue to see more of these reckless individuals risking their lives (as well as ours) in an attempt to appear cool.