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Apple Says Vision Pro Could Be Used for Surgeries, Technical Training and More
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You’re comparing a simple social media company with Apple??
Apple puts itself at risk when it makes statements about using their devices for medical purposes. A company can sidestep the FDA when it makes a reasonable claim that their product is for entertainment purposes or just "maintaining or encouraging a healthy lifestyle". Beyond that it is up to the doctor and/or hospital if they will allow it to be used with patients (though hospitals usually say no to non-FDA approved things unless it is part of a formal clinical trial).
Apple executives believe the Vision Pro has a number of enterprise applications, from advanced technical training to use in operating rooms, according to a video sent out to employees.
The video, which features Apple's Mike Rockwell and Alan Dye, both of whom are involved in the development of the device, discusses the development of the Vision Pro and what it might be used for in the future. Bloomberg received a transcript of the video, and shared details on the information included.
"Oftentimes, surgeons struggle to look at displays during procedures, where information is spread out," Rockwell said. "Apple Vision Pro could bring all of that together and hopefully improve patient outcomes."
Rockwell said that technicians or aircraft mechanics could use the Vision Pro for "high-quality training" that hasn't been possible before, and he said that Apple is "excited" about the opportunities in learning and education. "We strived to make a product that was a tool, not a toy," said Rockwell.
According to Bloomberg, two employees under Rockwell are responsible for discovering new applications for the Vision Pro. One is exploring enterprise uses for the device, while the other is looking into potential education opportunities.
Finding enterprise uses for the headset could be key to its success, given the high price of the device. The Vision Pro starts at $3,500, which puts it out of the reach of some consumers.
Article Link: Apple Says Vision Pro Could Be Used for Surgeries, Technical Training and More
Marketing something for use in the OR puts it well into medical device territory. That requires FDA approval and that usually requires formal clinical trials unless it's a copy of an already approved medical device. Putting aside the software issues that would likely get scrutiny these days, I'd be curious if the device in its current iteration is conducive to the frequent sterile-level cleaning that would be required of a device being used in the OR.
As a remote vision device (i.e. used by a surgeon physically outside the OR) -- perhaps in combination with a robotic surgery system -- the sterilization issue is avoided but then the platform as a whole (OR-based camera, Vision Pro, surgery robot, integration software) would require approval.
I’m saying nobody is buying this virtual reality training shtick because it simply doesn’t build the neurons to actually develop a skill any better than simply reading or watching all the existing materials we already have (that don’t require strapping a $3500 thing to your face).
I had similar thoughts. The exact same things were said about the Microsoft Hololens. People have been saying ”AR could be used for surgery” for about twenty years.
Who’s going to write the app for surgeons? Who’s gonna pay the $1000 per user per year (minimum) it’s gonna cost?
The more I think about this the more I’m thinking Apple is going to have to fairly heavily subsidize development of this device to get it off the ground. It’s the hardest chicken and egg problem they’ve had to crack since the original desktop computers.
Steve also famously said he didn’t know what people would wind up using the iPhone for. Done right, a purposeful, calculated amount of throwing **** to the wall to see what sticks is acceptable, even preferable. You can bet that Feedback concerning the Vision Pro won’t just be a black hole like it is for their other products. Not for several years, anyway.
Just can’t let it turn into a Google with a million monkeys at a million typewriters flinging a million piles of **** around.
The problem with "In b4..." is no one was even thinking it until you said it.
Progress continues. Amazing.
First time on a Apple Vision Pro thread today?
"In b4s" are one of my favorite ironies on MacRumors.
Another frequent howler of a different type on MacRumors..."Apple should just buy..."
First time on a Apple Vision Pro thread literally about an article about potentially excellent use cases today?
Gladly. I should dig up sources more often. I say a lot of unbelievable things, apparently.
I read in in this article: https://stratechery.com/2023/attenuating-innovation-ai/
Fourth video on the page, 8 or so paragraphs down.
Which is quoting from the famous D5 interview shortly after the iPhone announcement, when Gates and Jobs were on stage together. The Stratechery article doesn’t seem to have a link to the whole thing, but has embedded video excerpts. And trust me, it happened, I remember it when it happened.
1) Flip to back of book
2) Rip out pages
Saying “I don’t know how this will be used 5 years from now” is very different than saying “I don’t know how this will be used on launch day”.
It’s very obvious the use Steve and other execs had in mind when designing and releasing the iPhone. They saw how phones were increasingly gaining music playback capability and could extrapolate that it would affect the iPod. They also noted the complex sub-menus and hot-key combinations that were necessary for “advanced” phone features like conference calling. They were also aware of the “baby internet” WAP browsing that was beginning to emerge on smartphones with data plans. Thus the phone they designed was to solve all these problems, which were expertly showcased at its unveiling.
Here’s the thing…. Apple are renown for bringing products that change the way we do things. The technology is rarely new, but it is put together in a way that create more than a sum of its parts.
Bruh I can’t even get Netflix and Spotify or YouTube on this device
And that’s a bad thing? Anyone who buys this to replace a TV, doesn’t understand its appeal.
I’m not, but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night
That sounds a lot like deja vu all over again. 🥸I’m confident this is one thing that will never change.
It's an accurate comparison. Under the so-called "leadership" of Clueless Cook, Apple no longer innovates, but rather jumps on the bandwagon of whatever is popular in the tech industry. Just look at any version of macOS or iOS that was released around the last 10 years—they all got rid of skeuomorphic design (which Apple pioneered and the rest of the tech industry copied) and replaced it with flat design (which Microsoft pioneered and the rest of the tech industry copied).
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One day apartments will be smaller because our AR/VR glasses will make them look bigger. Everyone will have a beachside view even if their apartment has no windows. Only the very rich will have big luxury houses that don't need covering up with AR.