Apple Considers Using Vision Pro Headset for Diagnosing and Treating Mental Health Conditions

Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro headset could potentially identify and alleviate mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and PTSD using its advanced eye-tracking cameras and sensors, as well as VR experiences; however, the proposed features are still under internal debate due to regulatory concerns.

Apple is contemplating using its $3,499 Vision Pro headset to both identify and alleviate mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This application of the device's features is currently subject to internal debate due to potential regulatory hurdles.
The Vision Pro headset's state-of-the-art eye-tracking cameras and sensors could help detect signs of mental illness. Moreover, the device's VR capabilities could enhance users' emotional state through the display of particular sights and sounds.
The tech company's move into mental health represents an addition to its ongoing ventures in the health sector, with Apple Watch's advanced health and fitness features and a new range of mental health tools announced at the WDCC conference in June.
Despite its potential therapeutic uses, the Vision Pro device has been primarily marketed as an entertainment and productivity gadget, and question marks remain over its primary functionality.
The Vision Pro unit, expected to go on sale in early 2024, has encountered production issues due to its complexity. The company has lowered its production forecast for 2024 and now anticipates selling fewer than 400,000 devices in its first year.