Orange County police considering Apple Vision Pro to process surveillance data in real-tim...

Posted:
in Apple Vision Pro edited September 11

The Orange County Sheriff's Department in California is in talks with Apple to find a way to implement Apple Vision Pro for surveillance monitoring, and eventually, a tool for patrolling officers.

Robocop wearing Apple Visiopn Pro and holding an upraised metallic arm, set against a hazy background.
Police using augmented reality jumps straight out of science fiction. Image source: 'Robocop'



Apple Vision Pro is Apple's spatial computing device that combines the aspects of Augmented Reality (AR), viewing interfaces on the real world, and Virtual Reality (VR), viewing data through a head-mounted display. Police hope to use the device to replace the many expensive monitors and computer systems used to monitor surveillance data.

According to a report from Forbes, Orange County is in communication with Apple over using the headset, and perhaps even implementing CarPlay in police cruisers. Orange County Sheriff's Department CIO Dave Fontneau shared details of the plan and what he hopes may come from it.

The police department had demoed the headset in August to test the possibility of adding it to the Real-Time Operations Center. Fontneau was among the officers that tried the experience.

"I was able to put on the headset and transport myself into the environment and manipulate different aspects," Fontneau said. "I was able to manipulate maps and bring them up in a 3D environment, move assets, place officers in vehicles, and manipulate camera feeds. It was eye opening."

He commented that the headset is still too heavy for patrol use in the streets, but Apple allegedly told him a lighter version was coming. It is highly uncharacteristic of Apple to share such details, but rumors suggest a lighter version is indeed coming.

A man sits at a desk in a virtual environment modeled after an alien Mars-like planet. He's wearing Apple Vision Pro in the mockup.
A police officer in the 2010 game 'Heavy Rain' used augmented reality for investigations



The current surveillance use case would enable officers to sit at a desk and view collected data and manipulate it while conducting an investigation. A lighter version would potentially allow police to wear the headset on patrols and receive a live feed of information about an area or crime.

The concept is straight out of science fiction, which has been reflected in many titles like "Robocop" and the video game "Heavy Rain." The ability to use AR to solve crimes is certainly compelling.

The idea has drawn attention from other police departments. An X post from investigative journalist Joey Scott shows the LA Police Foundation confirmed $20k would be spent on Apple Vision Pros for enhanced surveillance and monitoring.

LAPD wants to approve a gift from the LA Police Foundation for $20k worth of Apple Vision Pros. They will be used in their real-time crime center for surveillance. They will view multiple surveillance camera feeds, virtual briefings, and examine evidence. pic.twitter.com/D5QMlyDygH

-- Joey Scott (@joeyneverjoe)



Apple Vision Pro hasn't been a blockbuster hit like iPad or Apple Watch, but it has helped renew interest in AR, VR, and its applications. A second-generation Apple Vision Pro may be more than a year away, but that product could make or break the platform.

In the meantime, don't expect to see police wandering around with Apple's expensive goggles. Though now the idea of a police procedural recorded in immersive video is suddenly in the front of our minds.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    The robocop image is awesome!
    eriamjhnubusBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 15
    Interesting that Apple told them a lighter version is coming. 
    jas99dewmessfe11byronlBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 15
    Nothing is going to “break” the platform. AVP is the future of computing: mobility + large screens with a minimum of materials.
    ssfe11Bart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 15
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,416member
    Nothing is going to “break” the platform. AVP is the future of computing: mobility + large screens with a minimum of materials.
    Spot on. Price will come down. Weight will decrease. Features will increase. Applications (of use) will increase. Content will increase. Competition will increase. It won't happen quickly but it will happen. No doubt it's happening in the Apple Batcave even now.


    ssfe11h2pBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 15
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,898moderator
    Minority Report was first to my mind.  Pair it with Palantir Technologies software and data and  you’re halfway there.  
    appleinsideruserwatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 15
    20k so, about 5 VPs?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 15
    Interesting that Apple told them a lighter version is coming. 

    They likely violated an NDA by sharing that info. What happens in a veiled meeting stays in a veiled meeting.
    Fidonet127watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 15
    20k so, about 5 VPs?

    People keep harping on the price without factoring in the millions spent developing the product. Zero profit for Apple so far, most likely. 

    It's a super-advanced computer in a headset, and worth every dollar. I just wish I had the $5000 CAD to buy one. haha
    Fidonet127radarthekath2papple4thewinBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 15
    Seems like great use of taxpayer money /s
  • Reply 10 of 15
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,267member
    chuckf77 said:
    The robocop image is awesome!
    Was listening to the soundtrack closing credits the other day.

    dah dah dah dah daaah. Dah dah dah darr.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 15
    nubusnubus Posts: 575member
    Police with AVP? Sell those Krispy Kreme stocks!
  • Reply 12 of 15
    20k so, about 5 VPs?

    People keep harping on the price without factoring in the millions spent developing the product. Zero profit for Apple so far, most likely. 

    It's a super-advanced computer in a headset, and worth every dollar. I just wish I had the $5000 CAD to buy one. haha
    My guess is the harping is due to them wanting one while not being able to afford it. 
    h2pBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 15
    h2ph2p Posts: 335member
    “Not wanting one” could mean they are unimaginative. I want one but as is typical, I have no real business use-case to justify the expense BUT I’m working on it! Yes!
    Bart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 15
    longfang said:
    20k so, about 5 VPs?

    People keep harping on the price without factoring in the millions spent developing the product. Zero profit for Apple so far, most likely. 

    It's a super-advanced computer in a headset, and worth every dollar. I just wish I had the $5000 CAD to buy one. haha
    My guess is the harping is due to them wanting one while not being able to afford it. 
    would I want one? yes. Can I afford one? Unfortunately no. But just pointing out the obvious that the 20k investment is basically just 5 headsets  the money amount sounds like it is a bunch of headsets but it really is just a few 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 15
    Bart YBart Y Posts: 69unconfirmed, member
    ralphie said:
    Seems like great use of taxpayer money /s

    It’s a gift from the Police Foundation to explore the use cases and see if it could help.  Taxpayer money would fund the evaluation time.
    20k so, about 5 VPs?

    People keep harping on the price without factoring in the millions spent developing the product. Zero profit for Apple so far, most likely. 

    It's a super-advanced computer in a headset, and worth every dollar. I just wish I had the $5000 CAD to buy one. haha
    My guess is the harping is due to them wanting one while not being able to afford it. 
    But just pointing out the obvious that the 20k investment is basically just 5 headsets  the money amount sounds like it is a bunch of headsets but it really is just a few 
    The number of headsets would be enough for a pilot program, a lot like developers buying a few to test try apps and see how they look and function.  This is not where the departments are considering actual deployment to select groups of officers.  Just like the battlefield, information can be useful and vital.  Considering what we see in movies and television where data, info, and web scouting may yield clues, maybe it really can work in real time in the field or faster in the office / precincts.  Also, connecting in real time via Facebook, datalinks, and written or visual comms could be very helpful in interdepartmental or interagency collaboration.

    an interesting and imaginative application of the Vision Pro.
    edited September 14 watto_cobra
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