It may be some time before head-mounted devices are in common use, but opportunities are emerging in industrial and resources settings.
Apple's mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, has been available to consumers in the US for nearly two months. After more than a decade of failed attempts, starting with Google’s Glass in 2013, Apple’s offering may finally signal that head-mounted devices (HMDs) are moving to mainstream adoption.
While Apple has a long track record of creating wildly successful consumer versions of emerging technologies (remember MP3 players before the iPod?), reviews of the Vision Pro have been rather mixed, with many wondering what the headset is actually for.
For $US3,500, the Vision Pro allows wearers to switch between mixed reality where they see a digital overlay on the real world, and all the way to full virtual reality, where users can, say, watch a movie while feeling like they are sitting on Mars.
The Vision Pro is just one of many HMDs on the market, all with varied features.
Along with the Vision Pro on the high end of the market are devices such as Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, which starts at $5,599. As a mixed-reality-only device, the HoloLens looks more like a visor (you can see the wearer’s eyes).
This is in contrast to the Vision Pro, which is a passthrough headset, meaning the wearer sees a real-time view of what’s around them through a camera. Apple has also made the interesting choice to display the user’s eyes on the outside of the headset in a bid to create simulated eye contact: an effect many have described as ‘creepy’.
The lower-priced end of the spectrum includes devices such as Meta’s Quest 3, which is $800 and, like the Vision Pro, has both VR and passthrough capabilities (minus the creepy eyes on the front).
Industrial focus
Doug Bester has spent a lot of time using and watching people use HMDs. He’s the CEO of Perth-based Sentient Computing, a company that specialises in industrial applications of virtual and mixed reality, including training, collaboration, data visualisation and digital twins.
Mr Bester says he thinks it’s still a way off before HMDs appeal to your average person on the street.
“I still think there’s a fair amount of pushback based on wearing something on your face,” he said.
This is one of the main reasons many believe Google Glass failed, especially because it was designed to be used in public in a way that turned out to be awkward, embarrassing and sometimes even dangerous for its users.
When it came to industrial uses of HMDs, however, especially in the resources sector, Mr Bester said it was a different story.
“[HMDs] are going to be adding more and more value as time goes on especially in the verification of competency, collaboration, reducing travel, and being able to understand complex scenarios in your at home without having to go to a site,” he said.
“We’ve done work recently with an oil and gas company that was training 500 people on a shutdown. They were able to do it here in Perth, which is a massive cost savings for the company.”
Going mainstream
So, really, how long before everyone has a computer on their face?
Many commentators have suggested the Vision Pro is at least a few iterations away from mainstream adoption. In general, HMDs need to be much lighter, less obtrusive and easier to set up and use before they become mainstream.
“If you could get a set of glasses that was linked to your phone that does all the processing and your glasses were just your display, microphone and speaker, then I think you’ll get use by the mass populace,” Mr Bester said.
And how long until we get the current model of the Apple Vision Pro in Australia? As of writing, Apple has yet to schedule a global launch.
• Dr Kate Raynes-Goldie is a cultural anthropologist specialising in human communication, innovation and AI. She is also a keynote speaker, Certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator and the creator of SUPERCONNECT®
