A video circulating on social media depicts a Tesla owner allegedly getting arrested for using the newly released Apple Vision Pro headset while engaging the car's assisted driving features.
Shared by 21-year-old Dante Lentini on his X account, the 25-second footage shows him interacting with the $3,500 augmented reality/virtual reality headset, occasionally with hands off the wheel, violating Tesla's mandatory control requirement for assisted driving features like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, according to Gizmodo.
The incident occurred on the day of Vision Pro's US launch, with Lentini seen stopped in his vehicle with law enforcement present. Lentini confirmed his identity and arrest in a comment on X, where the video had amassed over 24 million views by Monday morning.
Think different. #applevisionpro pic.twitter.com/dEALUsntS8
— Dante (@lentinidante) February 2, 2024
Alarming, Risky Trend
This incident of Apple Vision Pro usage while driving raises concerns about the intersection of technology, automotive autonomy, and public safety and have alarmed road safety experts. Despite Apple's "spatial computing" that blends virtual content with the natural environment, the device poses distractions.
Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, emphasized the dangers of wearing a headset while driving, diverting attention from the road. Instances of users using the headset in public spaces like gyms and subways and even crossing roads while using the technology raise broader safety concerns.
"Any behavior that takes a driver's focus off the task of driving is dangerous and irresponsible and puts all of us at serious risk of death or injury, especially vulnerable road users like pedestrians," Chase said, as reported by Business Insider.
Apple Stresses Safety on Vision Pro Use
Apple has outlined a comprehensive set of guidelines for its groundbreaking product, the Vision Pro headset, aiming to redefine computing. Emphasizing safety, Apple advises users to maintain awareness of their surroundings while wearing the headset., per The Sun. The help page on Apple's website cautions against usage in hazardous areas such as stairs, balconies, or near sharp objects. Importantly, the company strictly prohibits operating the Vision Pro during activities requiring attention to safety, including driving, cycling, or operating heavy machinery.
Although the headset provides users with a clear image of their surroundings and interactive VR content, both Apple and road safety experts assert its unsuitability for use while driving. Apple concludes by highlighting that the Vision Pro is not intended for situations where device failure could lead to death, personal injury, or severe environmental damage, emphasizing responsible and safe usage.
Launched alongside the iPhone 15, Apple's headset, priced over five times higher than the Meta Quest 3, sold out its 200,000 pre-orders on January 19, with options for upgrades and prescription inserts. Running on VisionOS, Apple describes it as 'spatial computing,' blending virtual content with the physical environment. According to Daily Mail, this technology facilitates interactions between the physical and virtual worlds, enabling the manipulation of objects and spaces by humans and machines.
