Apple Event: Tim Cook reveals how Vision Pro is being used across industries
Apple just concluded its highly anticipated May 7 event and we got some more insight into the Vision Pro. The event mostly centered around the new iPads. But Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed some very interesting developments happening for the company’s XR (Extended Reality) headset.
The event kicked off with Tim Cook speaking to the audience from Apple Park. Before jumping into news about the new iPads Cook wanted to talk about the Apple Vision Pro. Because despite poor sales, the Vision Pro does show promise. And Apple isn’t going to give up on its flagship XR headset this soon.
So let’s take a look at all the things happening for Vision Pro according to Tim Cook.
Porsche is bringing you the showroom of the future
Luxury auto manufacturer Porsche is using the Apple Vision Pro to build the “showroom of the future”. Not many details were revealed about how Porsche is going about implementing this, but Apple showed a woman wearing a Vision Pro checking out a car. The car was changing colors in a way that reminded me of getting a new paint job in a video game.
I suppose what we’re supposed to take away from this is that XR will enhance the showroom experience by allowing more freedom. Potential customers will be able to view any Porsche they want in whichever dealership they visit.
Furthermore, using the Apple Vision Pro customers will be able to configure the vehicle they’re looking at on a whim. They could view different trims, different colors, various rims and more.
Tim Cook also claimed Porsche was using the Vision Pro to train service technicians and reimagine track experiences. Service technician training I understand. You don’t really want inexperienced people tampering with super expensive cars. So letting them train on virtual but highly detailed vehicles is a good substitute.
I have no clue what Cook means by reimagining track experiences, though. Is Porsche going to be implementing AR (Augmented Reality) in its cars? Or, and this is more likely in my opinion, the company is going to use Vision Pro headsets in its Simulator Labs where people drive virtual Porsche cars on virtual tracks.
Sharp Healthcare is improving surgical eyecare
Dr. Tommy Korn — Head of Ophthalmology Innovations at Sharp Healthcare — is using the Vision Pro to improve surgical eyecare. Cook said this was being done through “simulation, analysis and optimization”.
We’ve talked before about how the Apple Vision Pro might become a next-gen health assistant in the future. And we’re already seeing this happening to an extent. For example, Osso Health allows you to practice complex medical surgeries in Mixed Reality on the Vision Pro.