Recently it was in news that a Tesla owner was stopped by the police in California for wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset while driving with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta software turned on. The police officer issued him a citation for violating the state’s distracted driving law, which prohibits drivers from using any electronic device that covers their eyes or ears. The driver claimed that he was testing the compatibility of the two technologies. What’s important is he said that he was not distracted by the headset.
Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset that can display virtual and augmented reality content. It is a standalone device that does not require a connection to a computer or a smartphone. It has two displays, one for each eye, that create a 3D vision with a wide field of view. It also has a front panel that acts as a lens and an external OLED panel that can show information to others.
Apple Vision Pro is designed to provide an immersive experience for entertainment, education, gaming, and productivity. However, it is not intended to be used while driving a vehicle, as it can distract the driver and increase the risk of accidents. In fact, wearing any device that covers the eyes or ears while driving is prohibited by the law in most countries.
According to the official website of Apple Vision Pro, the headset has a feature called “Driving Mode” that can be activated when the user is in a vehicle. This mode disables the virtual and augmented reality content and only shows essential information on the external OLED panel, such as navigation, speed, time, and notifications. The user can also use voice commands to control the headset and the vehicle.
However, even in Driving Mode, Apple Vision Pro is not recommended for drivers, as it can still impair their vision and attention. The headset may block the peripheral vision of the driver and prevent them from seeing the traffic signals, signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles. The headset may also interfere with the driver’s ability to judge the distance and speed of the objects on the road. Moreover, the headset may malfunction or lose power, leaving the driver without any visual or auditory feedback
Apple Vision Pro headset should not be used while driving. . The driver should also avoid using any other devices that can distract them, such as mobile phones, tablets, or music players. Driving safely is not only a legal obligation, but also a moral responsibility!
