Apple's Vision Pro: A $3,500 Augmented Reality Headset For Mental Health Diagnosis And Treatment?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is planning to use its first-generation mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, to diagnose and potentially treat mental health conditions, according to recent reports.

What Happened: Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which is still in development, could be used for mental health applications, Forbes reported on Wednesday.

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The device, priced at $3,500, is equipped with a suite of sensors and cameras that might be able to identify users’ emotions, expressions and feelings, potentially diagnosing conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and other stress-related disorders.

The headset’s technology could also monitor changes in weight, pupil dilation and movement, which could signal Parkinson’s disease. 

The Vision Pro may display images and sounds designed to lessen users’ stress, depression or anxiety to help manage diagnosed conditions, according to sources.

Apple has previously ventured into mental health, introducing features in its Health app in June that allowed users to track their moods and monitor their mental wellbeing, in addition to their physical activity.

It is worth noting that despite the much anticipation, production issues have reportedly caused Apple to reduce its 2024 Vision Pro production forecast. The company now predicts it will sell fewer than 400,000 headsets in the first year, a significant drop from its initial estimate of one million devices.

Why It Matters: This isn’t the first time Apple has made headlines with its Vision Pro headset. Earlier in June, it was reported that the device might not be suitable for individuals with certain health conditions. 

At the time, popular Apple analyst Mark Gurman suggested that Apple might exclude people with certain health conditions from purchasing or using the mixed-reality headset. 

As Apple ventures into new domains of health and technology, the safety and applicability of its devices for all users remains a significant topic.

Check out more of Benzinga’s Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. 

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