Vision Pro as a Medical device.

[Algr]

It looks like you could walk around outside while wearing this. That could activate an important secondary use for Vision Pro as a medical device. (And help some people pay for it.)

If someone has macular degeneration, this could distort the image to avoid their blind spot. If your eyes lack plasticity, the cameras could focus anywhere from a few inches to infinity - eliminating the need to carry multiple pairs of glasses. Sensitive to glare or otherwise struggle in low light? This could help. (Does photosensitive epilepsy get bad enough that people can't walk around outside?) If someone is completely blind, it could understand their surroundings well enough to give text descriptions of where to go, and what and who is around. It could even eliminate triggering issues by making everyone look and sound like Morgan Freeman. Who wouldn't want that?

 

[Night Spring]

I've been thinking exactly this, that with some adjustments, this could be a "guiding dog" for blind people. It has the camera and sensors to "see" the world around the blind person, all we need is to figure out a way to use that data to guide the person.

 

[Algr]

all we need is to figure out a way to use that data to guide the person.

Does the Vision Pro have vibration? A blind person could reach their hand out and "feel" what is in front of them. Perhaps a glove with vibrators? Could they be small enough to have one for each finger? What would the visor screen show when a blind person is using it? Sunglasses?

 

[Night Spring]

Does the Vision Pro have vibration? A blind person could reach their hand out and "feel" what is in front of them. Perhaps a glove with vibrators? Could they be small enough to have one for each finger? What would the visor screen show when a blind person is using it? Sunglasses?

You are thinking along the same lines I am. My first thought was vibrations, but it wasn't mentioned in the presentation that whether it can vibrate. It could certainly give audio directions, or maybe pings? Like pings get louder as the person moves to desired target?

I've seen guide dogs at work, and they are amazing, but also a big responsibility to take care of a living animal. If Vision Pro can be made to work as a guiding device for blind people, that could give so many more people a chance to be more independent. I really hope someone works on this, if Apple doesn't do it itself.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I've been thinking exactly this, that with some adjustments, this could be a "guiding dog" for blind people. It has the camera and sensors to "see" the world around the blind person, all we need is to figure out a way to use that data to guide the person.

They should easily be able to speak where they want to go and have Maps guide them by walking directions.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Apple hasn’t gotten the Watch approved for medical use. I wonder if they intend to do it with this. Questionable since FDA approval is complex and can take years.

 

[ThomasJL]

Medical devices require stability, i.e., practically no freezing and no crashing. Tim Cook places a relatively low priority on fixing bugs, so it might be dangerous to use an Apple device as a medical device.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Medical devices require stability, i.e., practically no freezing and no crashing. Tim Cook places a relatively low priority on fixing bugs, so it might be dangerous to use an Apple device as a medical device.

I think it’s no secret why Apple hasn’t even attempted to get FDA approval for the watch. I doubt this will be any different. Apple is a consumer company, not a medical device manufacturer.

 

[Ledgem]

I think it’s no secret why Apple hasn’t even attempted to get FDA approval for the watch. I doubt this will be any different. Apple is a consumer company, not a medical device manufacturer.

What are you talking about, they haven't even attempted? FDA approval for atrial fibrillation history was granted for watchOS 9.

The Watch has many functions - the entire device can't just be "FDA approved." The question is, approved for what? Specific usage applications need to be applied for and then approved.

I like the premise of this thread - the Vision Pro seems to have a lot of potential for helping people with various disabilities. I don't expect to see it being used that way for the first or even second generations, but hopefully it'll come.

 

[Algr]

Medical devices require stability, i.e., practically no freezing and no crashing. Tim Cook places a relatively low priority on fixing bugs, so it might be dangerous to use an Apple device as a medical device.

Yes, I guess this rules out helping fully blind people cross the street. But the other ideas up top would be good on a device that crashed rarely enough.

The device is able to gain a lot of info from eye movements. So it might be good for paraplegics who can only move their eyes.