Exploring the Impact of Apple's Vision Pro
In a recent interview conducted by Vox, David Lindlbauer, one of the founders of XRTC, delves into the deep implications surrounding Apple's latest innovation: the Vision Pro Extended Reality headset. Priced at $3,500, this device represents a significant advancement in spatial computing, offering features like improved real-time passthrough video and immersive virtual reality experiences. Despite its technological achievements, Lindlbauer, alongside other experts, raises concerns regarding the potential psychological and societal impacts that will limit widespread adoption.
Drawing from the insights of Stanford's Virtual Human Interaction Lab, the interview highlights the findings of experiments conducted with passthrough-capable headsets, including the Vision Pro. Researchers observed perceptual distortions and challenges in spatial judgment while wearing the device, leading to symptoms of simulator sickness and a sense of social disconnection during interactions.
Lindlbauer underscores the inherent challenges that come with using headsets like the Vision Pro in social and public settings. Their widespread adoption will depend on further technological advancements such as making the headset smaller and giving others the ability to see the mimics and gestures of the user; as well as reassessing on what we deem acceptable and desirable when it comes to wearable technology. While Apple positions the Vision Pro as a catalyst for improving human connection and exploration, its current narrative primarily revolves around indoor utility for productivity and entertainment, lacking substantial outdoor application.
The interview ultimately suggests that while the Vision Pro presents a remarkable advancement in Extended Reality technology, it confronts more hurdles in terms of widespread acceptance and integration. The trajectory of computing, as shaped by devices like the Vision Pro, hinges upon the nuanced responses and engagement of users with these new technologies.
For a comprehensive exploration of these themes, readers are encouraged to delve into the full interview titled "What wearing Apple’s Vision Pro headset does to our brains" by Adam Clark Estes, available on Vox's website through the link above.