Tesla drivers are being reminded to stay attentive on the road as videos of individuals donning Apple’s virtual reality headset gain widespread attention. Pete Buttigieg, the US Secretary for Transport, underscored on X (formerly Twitter) that all existing vehicles necessitate continuous driver engagement.
A video featuring people seated in cars equipped with autonomous mode, sporting Apple headsets over their eyes, circulated online. Buttigieg re-shared one such video, emphasizing that “ALL advanced driver assistance systems demand the human driver’s constant control and full engagement in the driving task.”
On the day the Apple Vision Pro was publicly released, another video surfaced depicting a man seemingly getting pulled over by the police while donning the headset in a Tesla. Despite initial concerns, it was later disclosed as a “skit” created with friends, with the driver admitting to using the headset for a brief 30-40 seconds.
Tesla and Apple have been reached for comments regarding these incidents.
Gizmodo reported the man’s clarification, highlighting that he engaged in the stunt for a short duration. Both Apple and Tesla, in their respective guidelines, caution against the use of the headset while driving. Apple explicitly warns users in its guide, while Tesla emphasizes that drivers must “maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle” even in autonomous mode.
The Apple Vision Pro headset hit the US market on February 2, carrying a price tag of $3,499 (£2,749), with no specified release date for the UK. Despite certain modes allowing users to see through the glass, using the headset during driving could significantly impede vision.
Distinct from conventional virtual reality terms, Apple avoids labeling its headset as such, opting for the term “spatial computing.”
In essence, Tesla owners are being urged to remain vigilant on the road, particularly in light of the circulating videos featuring drivers incorporating Apple’s virtual reality headset into their driving experience. The US Secretary for Transport, Pete Buttigieg, stressed the imperative need for continuous driver engagement across all vehicles.
Online videos depict individuals utilizing Apple headsets while in the driver’s seat of Tesla cars with autonomous capabilities. Buttigieg echoed the importance of the human driver maintaining control and full engagement during the driving task, emphasizing the essential nature of these requirements for all advanced driver assistance systems.
A video capturing a man apparently being pulled over by the police while wearing the Apple Vision Pro headset garnered attention. However, subsequent reports clarified that it was a premeditated “skit” produced with friends, during which the driver only utilized the headset for a brief 30-40 seconds.
Requests for comments have been directed to Tesla and Apple in light of these incidents. Gizmodo provided insights into the man’s perspective, elucidating that the stunt was a brief endeavor. Apple’s user guide explicitly warns against utilizing the headset while driving, aligning with Tesla’s directive that drivers should maintain control and responsibility even when the vehicle is in autonomous mode.
The Apple Vision Pro headset entered the US market on February 2, priced at $3,499 (£2,749), with no set release date for the UK. Despite certain modes offering visibility through the glass, the use of the headset during driving raises concerns about compromised vision.
Notably, Apple deviates from conventional terms associated with virtual reality, choosing to characterize its headset as “spatial computing.”
