Tesla Owners Warned About Dangers of Using Apple’s VR Headset While Driving
Tesla owners have recently been cautioned about the risks associated with wearing Apple’s virtual reality (VR) headset while driving, following viral videos showcasing drivers using the device behind the wheel.
US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to emphasize that all current vehicles, including those equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, require drivers to maintain engagement “at all times.”
Although one video depicting a driver wearing the Apple headset turned out to be a prank, concerns persist regarding the potential distractions posed by such actions.
Both Tesla and Apple have been contacted for their comments on the matter.
Online videos portray individuals seated in cars with autonomous capabilities, donning the Apple headset over their eyes. Secretary Buttigieg reshared one of these videos, emphasizing the necessity for human drivers to remain in control and fully focused on driving tasks.
In another instance, a video surfaced of a man purportedly being pulled over by police while using the headset in a Tesla. However, reports from Gizmodo suggest that the incident was staged as a “skit,” with the driver claiming to have worn the headset for only a brief duration.
Apple’s user guide explicitly advises against using the headset while driving, echoing Tesla’s stance that drivers must maintain control and responsibility over their vehicles, even when autonomous features are engaged.
The Apple Vision Pro headset, which hit the US market on February 2nd with a price tag of $3,499 (£2,749), has yet to receive a release date in the UK. While the device allows users to see through the glass in certain modes, its use while driving could severely impede vision.
Apple has refrained from categorizing the device as virtual reality (VR) or any similar term, opting instead to refer to it as “spatial computing.” In a blog post aimed at developers, the company discouraged the use of terms like augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), or mixed reality (MR) to describe the device’s experience.
Aside from driving, videos have surfaced of individuals using the headset on the New York subway and at the gym, raising additional safety concerns.
