Written by: Fiyinfoluwa Akinyemi

Introduction

With Apple’s significant impact in revolutionizing technology through the first tablet and iPhone, it comes as no surprise that this company is reshaping history once again–this time with the Apple Vision Pro. The Vision Pro is a spatial computer that blends digital content and apps into one’s physical space, letting an individual navigate using their eyes, hands, and voice (Apple 2023). This groundbreaking technology opens up a whole new world of possibilities for how society interacts with devices and the surrounding digital world. With its seamless integration of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensors, the Apple Vision Pro is set to redefine the standards of experiencing technology. However, concerns about the privacy and security implications and the consequences of integrating this advanced technology into everyday life must be addressed.

Applications of the Apple Vision Pro

Many are already seeing potential applications of the Vision Pro in industries like medicine. The Apple Vision Pro could significantly enhance training and learning for medical professionals through its immersive and interactive technology. One prospective application is utilizing the Vision Pro to create simulations of medical procedures, providing a safe environment for medical professionals to practice operations, which can improve patient outcomes in a real setting (Masalkhi et al., 2023). Additionally, the accurate cameras and technology in the Vision Pro could lead to more accurate healthcare services, benefiting both the patient and the healthcare provider.

Additionally, the Apple Vision Pro is also starting to integrate within daily life through aspects such as shopping. According to a Forbes article, the launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset has led to a multitude of popular brands releasing apps dedicated to providing immersive experiences for consumers (Forbes, 2024). For example, the wellness and self-care brand Alo Yoga created AloSanctuary, an immersive shopping platform that allows users to interact with products as if in a physical space. As more brands adopt this new technology, the true testament to its utility lies in the public’s reaction. While the shift to augmented reality shopping could revolutionize the industry, how popular this new shopping experience is is really up to the consumers. 

Figure 1:  Alo Yoga’s immersive sanctuary on the Apple Vision Pro, developed by Obsess Source: Forbes

The risks of using the Apple Vision Pro

Even in consideration of the advancements the Apple Vision Pro could provide, some are already starting to wonder if long-term use of the device is healthy. One group of Stanford researchers conducted an experiment during which they spent many hours in Vision Pro, both private and public, to document their experiences. They found a multitude of everyday activities that were more difficult with the integration of digital and real-world content.

One struggle the participants faced was accurately gauging distance. The researchers found that users tended to underestimate distances in passthrough (the integration of the digital and real world), such as when catching a ball or doing a puzzle. These effects were more prominent when trying to navigate through crowds or moving people and objects. Moreover, researchers found that this passthrough could cause visual aftereffects, induce simulator sickness, and interfere with social connection. The participants reported distortion in colors, lighting, and even objects. While this technology will improve in the future, the researchers point out that no headset will ever be perfect; therefore, users should be trained to avoid the potential negative effects. (Bailenson et al., 2024).

Figure 2 An example of the inaccurate distance measurement of the Apple Vision Pro Source: Medium

Besides the potential physical and psychological disadvantages, there are also privacy concerns related to the Vision Pro. There must be clear indication who has access to the data that the Vision Pro utilizes to understand the space that people are in. In light of the possibility of data breaches and authorized access to personal information, there is a strong emphasis on the need for stringent privacy measures to protect users from the potential risks associated with this technology. User privacy must be the foremost concern in developing mixed-reality devices (The Washington Post, 2024).

Conclusion

The Vision Pro has the technology to revolutionize our society by integrating the real and digital worlds in everyday life through its interactive and immersive technology. However, users must be aware of the potential consequences of long-term use, both personally and societally. In terms of personal use, the Vision Pro has a multitude of physical and psychological side effects, such as nausea, visual aftereffects, and difficulty navigating the real world. To connect the virtual and real worlds, Apple needs access to a significant amount of data, and no one knows exactly who has access to this data. As we embrace the future with technologies such as the Apple Vision Pro, awareness about privacy concerns and ethical usage, will pave the way for a safer and more enriching digital landscape.

References and Sources

Apple Vision Pro – Technical Specifications. Apple. (n.d.). https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/specs/

Bailenson, J. N., Beams, B., Brown, J., DeVeaux, C., Han, E., Queiroz, A. C. M., Ratan, R., Santoso, M., Srirangarajan, T., Tao, Y., & Wang, P. (2024). Seeing the world through digital prisms: Psychological implications of passthrough video usage in mixed reality. Virtual Human Interaction Lab. https://vhil.stanford.edu/publications/immersionpresence/seeing-world-through-digital-prisms-psychological-implications

Fowler, G. A. (2024, January 30). Apple’s Vision Pro is a privacy mess waiting to happen – the … Apple’s new Vision Pro is a privacy mess waiting to happen. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/01/30/apple-vision-pro-privacy/

Ludmir, C. (2024, February 20). A first look into brands’ shopping experiences on Apple’s Vision Pro. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/claraludmir/2024/02/06/a-first-look-into-brands-shopping-experiences-on-apples-vision-pro/?sh=294eec4ba8c3 

Masalkhi, M., Waisberg, E., Ong, J., et al., Apple Vision Pro for Ophthalmology and Medicine. .3Ann Biomed Eng 51, 2643–2646 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-023-03283-1