Concerns raised over Tesla drivers using VR headsets

Videos have emerged of people driving Teslas while wearing what appear to be virtual reality headsets, with the US transport secretary issuing a warning.

A video posted on X showed a Tesla driver who seemed to be gesturing with his hands while using Apple’s recently released Vision Pro headsets.

The device, which was released last week, blends three-dimensional digital content with a view of the outside world.

Pete Buttigieg, the transport secretary, said in response to the video: “Reminder-ALL advanced driver assistance systems available today require the human driver to be in control and fully engaged in the driving task at all times.”

Vision Pro is labelled as “mixed reality” as it combines “virtual reality”, in which the wearer is fully immersed in the digital world, with “augmented reality”, where images are overlaid onto the real world.

It resembles a pair of ski goggles and features a 23-million-pixel screen which covers the upper face. It is controlled by the wearer’s eyes, hands and voice.

Apple says people should never use it while operating a moving vehicle.

Mr Buttigieg has made similar comments about the use of Tesla Autopilot before.

Tesla said its advanced driver features are intended for use with a fully attentive driver “who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment”.