In The Pocket and Royal Visio, a center of expertise for visually impaired and blind people, are joining forces to improve the lives of individuals with visual impairments. Together, they are developing a Proof of Concept (PoC) that leverages Apple’s latest technology, the Apple Vision Pro Virtual Reality (VR) headset.

Royal Visio has already successfully utilized Augmented Reality (AR) and VR technology for training and education purposes. With the advent of the Apple Vision Pro, they see a unique opportunity to further explore how this advanced technology can enhance the mobility and independence of their target audience. The goal of this PoC is to learn through user research and experimentation about the possibilities that Mixed Reality and the Vision Pro offer for visually impaired individuals. For instance, this could include indoor navigation when visiting a hospital.
‍

Spatial Audio as an Enabler

The Apple Vision Pro scans the environment around the user and detects potential obstacles. When the user approaches an obstacle (such as a wall, table, or chair), they will hear a sound coming from the direction of the obstacle. With spatial audio, the user can accurately determine where the obstacle is located. The closer they get to the obstacle, the faster the sound repeats. This process can be observed in action here.
‍

Innovation through Collaboration

This collaboration between In The Pocket and VisioLab, the innovation team of Royal Visio, marks a significant step in the quest for innovative solutions for visually impaired and blind individuals. In The Pocket, known for its expertise in developing digital products, brings technical know-how and creativity to the table, while Royal Visio has a deep understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by people with visual impairments. Together, they aim to fully harness the potential of the Apple Vision Pro.