Are you obsessed with the Vision Pro and have watched all the available videos about how Apple’s spatial computer works? Maybe it’s time to take a look at what the Vision Pro is made of. iFixit is preparing a massive teardown report of the Vision Pro, featuring tons of photos and videos, including an x-ray image for $3,499. The teardown process is so extensive that it has been divided into two stages, with the second analysis coming soon.
The iFixit team believes that the “strangest thing” about the Vision Pro is “what makes it most unique to Apple: the large, glossy glass on the front that sets it apart from aluminum and plastic competition, even when it’s turned off.” And when it’s turned on, it gets even weirder – instead of being fully transparent, there is a strange lenticular screen behind the glass that displays three-dimensional eye-tracking videos, mimicking the user’s gaze, as explained in the report.
This is what is known as the EyeSight display, as Apple calls it. It allows for the recreation of the user’s eyes with a certain degree of accuracy and also enables others to look outside.
Here’s the breakdown!
Glass Surface
Of course, the glass panels are glued, but they were able to remove them without damage – though it required a lot of heat and time. The glass itself weighs 34 grams, which is over a kilogram compared to the assembled Vision Pro with the battery.
Speaking of batteries, the battery pack weighs 353 grams and consists of three iPhone-sized batteries, giving a total capacity of 35.9 Wh. This is more than double the capacity of a single iPhone 15 Pro with 17.3 Wh.
As you know, the Vision Pro battery pack is meant to be worn by the user, attached to a belt or wherever else – the batteries are not integrated into the helmet, as it would make it extremely heavy, weighing over a kilogram. For comparison, the Quest Pro weighs 722 g, and the Quest 3 weighs 515 g. So if we’re only comparing the weight of the part on the face without batteries, the Meta Quest Pro weighs 522 grams. The same design in the Vision Pro weighs 532 grams – practically the same. “The main difference between these units is the weight distribution and the significantly heavier battery in the pocket of the Vision Pro,” notes iFixit.
EyeSight Display
The EyeSight display operates in three different display modes: “internal focus,” “external engagement,” and “non-intrusive mode.” The patent documentation includes numerous pages filled with potential visualizations of screens, including different cartoon character eyes, biometric data collected from other sensors, and heart symbols symbolizing conversations with loved ones. Apple aimed to achieve something very specific: an animated face that looked 3D with eyes. But it’s not an easy task, as iFixit puts it:
The human brain is very sensitive to faces and facial expressions, which is why the concept of the “uncanny valley” exists, and part of that is accurate distance recognition. Apple had to create a believable 3D effect. One reason why 3D rendering doesn’t look truly three-dimensional is the lack of a stereoscopic effect. To make something look 3D, we need to see subtly different images with each eye. The Vision Pro tackles this problem with lenticular lenses.
A lenticular lens is capable of displaying different images depending on the viewing angle. This unique property can be used to achieve different effects, such as simulating motion with just two action frames or creating a three-dimensional effect with images of the same character from different perspectives.
In the case of the Vision Pro, it provides a lenticular layer placed on top of the OLED panel. This process is handled by the VisionOS software, which renders multiple facial images that can be designated as A and B. These images are then cut and presented in such a way that image A is directed to the left eye from one angle, while image B is directed to the right eye from a different angle. This intricate setup creates a representation of a 3D face using a stereoscopic effect. It’s worth noting that these angles are incredibly small and numerous, to the point where a high-powered microscope is needed to truly appreciate the complexity of the system.
Here’s what a microscopic image taken by Evident Scientific looks like:
In the rest of their report, iFixit will discuss the internal displays and sensor arrays and provide a repairability rating.
Below is an FAQ section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. What are the key features of the Vision Pro?
According to the iFixit report, the key features of the Vision Pro are the large, glossy glass on the front that sets it apart from aluminum and plastic competition, and the lenticular screen that displays three-dimensional eye-tracking videos.
2. What is the EyeSight display?
The EyeSight display is the name Apple gives to this type of screen. It allows for the recreation of the user’s eyes with a certain degree of accuracy and also enables others to look outside.
3. How complex is the teardown process of the Vision Pro?
The teardown process of the Vision Pro is extensive and has been divided into two stages. The iFixit report features plenty of photos and videos, as well as an x-ray image, describing the device’s disassembly process.
4. What are the characteristics of the glass surface of the Vision Pro?
The glass surface of the Vision Pro is glued but can be removed without damage. The glass itself weighs 34 grams, which is significant compared to the total weight of the assembled device.
5. What are the features of the EyeSight display?
The EyeSight display operates in three different display modes: “internal focus,” “external engagement,” and “non-intrusive mode.” It enables the creation of a three-dimensional effect using lenticular lenses that display subtly different images for each eye.
Definitions:
1. Vision Pro: A spatial computer produced by Apple.
2. Teardown report: A document that presents the disassembly process of a device to examine its construction and functionality.
3. Lenticular: Referring to lenses that can display different images depending on the viewing angle.
4. Wh: Abbreviation for watt-hour – a unit of electrical energy measurement.
5. Battery: A device that stores chemical energy, which is converted into electrical energy to power electronic devices.
Links:
Below are suggested related links regarding the Vision Pro:
Apple Website
iFixit Teardowns
Vision Pro Website
The source of the article is from the blog yanoticias.es