The gleaming white Apple Vision Pro headset has only been on the market for last month, but already government officials are issuing warnings about using the device in public spaces. The San Diego Police Department recently posted an Instagram video showing a pedestrian wearing a Vision Pro headset while crossing a street near a police stop.
“Keep those virtual experiences on the sidewalk, folks,” the post said. “And let’s cross streets the old-fashioned way—with our eyes wide open to the real world, unobstructed and without distractions!“
While the Vision Pro does allow users to see a high-resolution passthrough video of their surroundings thanks to outward-facing cameras, it’s still not the same as natural human vision. The field of view is more restricted compared to normal peripheral vision, and visual quality can decrease in low light.
So despite these augmented reality safety features, San Diego police and other officials want Vision Pro explorers to remain alert, especially in areas with vehicle traffic. It’s not the first caution sounded about the device either.
Earlier this month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg posted a reminder after a video emerged showing someone wearing a Vision Pro while driving a Tesla Cybertruck. “ALL advanced driver assistance systems available today require the human driver to be in control and fully engaged in the driving task at all times,” Buttigieg tweeted. Apple itself recommends against using the Vision Pro in moving vehicles or near roads.
As revolutionary as the Vision Pro may be in enabling interactive virtual experiences when it comes to navigating the physical world, officials say to keep your head up and eyes open. The technology holds amazing promise, but it can’t replace human vision and judgment—at least not yet.
So by all means, step into virtual worlds with the Vision Pro. Just be sure to watch where you literally step into the real one. Augmented reality has arrived, but common sense about pedestrian safety never goes out of style.
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