How Navigation Works on Apple Vision Pro with VisionOS

Here’s how you use and work with the Apple Vision Pro with VisionOS, Apple’s brand new spatial computing operating system and UX…
Key Takeaways:
- Eye Movements as Cursor: VisionOS introduces a unique way of selecting elements on the interface using eye movements. This is made possible by advanced eye-tracking technology that translates eye movements into on-screen actions, creating an intuitive selection process.
- Hand Gestures for Interaction: Once an element is selected, users can interact with it using various hand gestures. This includes tapping, swiping, or pinching in the air to open apps, scroll through pages, or manipulate objects in the virtual space.
- Voice Control for Convenience: VisionOS incorporates voice control, allowing users to issue commands or input text through speech. This adds a layer of convenience to the navigation process, enabling hands-free control of the interface.
- Integration of Navigation Modalities: The seamless integration of eye tracking, gesture control, and voice recognition creates a fluid and natural navigation experience. These three modalities work together to make the digital content feel almost tangible and the navigation process highly intuitive.
- Accessible and User-friendly Design: The multi-modal approach to navigation makes VisionOS accessible and user-friendly. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a novice user, navigating the VisionOS interface is a breeze, thanks to its intuitive and engaging design.
- Setting the Bar for Future AR/VR: The innovative navigation system of VisionOS sets a high bar for the future of augmented and virtual reality. It promises a user experience like no other, redefining how we interact with the digital world.
The advent of Apple’s Vision Pro, powered by VisionOS, has marked a significant leap in the realm of augmented and virtual reality. This impressive technology is one of the coolest (and most expensive) consumer tech products ever launched, bringing with it a completely new, intuitive way of navigating and interacting with content.
In this article, we will delve into the unique navigation experience offered by Apple Vision Pro with VisionOS, exploring how eye movements, hand gestures, and voice control work together to create a seamless and natural user experience.
Eye Movements: The New Cursor
One of the standout features of VisionOS navigation is the use of eye movements. By simply looking at an app or feature on the interface, users can select it, much like moving a cursor with a mouse.
This is made possible by advanced eye-tracking technology integrated into the Apple Vision Pro headset. The device uses infrared sensors to track the user’s eye movements in real-time, translating these movements into on-screen actions.
This allows for a highly responsive and intuitive selection process, making navigation feel natural and effortless.
Hand Gestures: Interacting with the Digital World



Once an element on the interface is selected using eye movements, hand gestures come into play. VisionOS recognizes a variety of gestures, allowing users to interact with the selected elements in a way that feels familiar and intuitive.
Users can tap, swipe, or pinch in the air to open apps, scroll through pages, or manipulate objects in the virtual space.
This is achieved through the use of advanced motion tracking technology that captures and interprets the user’s hand movements. The result is a highly interactive user experience that blurs the lines between the physical and digital worlds, making the digital content feel almost tangible.
Voice Control: Adding a Layer of Convenience
To further enhance the navigation experience, VisionOS incorporates voice control into its interface. This feature allows users to issue commands or input text through speech, adding another layer of convenience to the navigation process.
Whether you want to open an app, search for a file, or even dictate a message, all you need to do is speak your command.
The voice recognition system in VisionOS is designed to understand and respond to a wide range of commands, making it a powerful tool for hands-free navigation and control.
The Integration of Eye Tracking, Gesture Control, and Voice Recognition



The true magic of VisionOS navigation lies in the seamless integration of eye tracking, gesture control, and voice recognition. These three modalities work together to create a navigation experience that is fluid, natural, and highly intuitive.
The process begins with eye tracking, which allows users to select elements on the interface. Once an element is selected, gesture control enables interaction with the element, whether it’s opening an app, scrolling through a page, or manipulating a digital object.
Finally, voice control provides an additional means of interaction, allowing users to issue commands or input text without the need for physical input.
This multi-modal approach to navigation not only makes the user experience more engaging but also makes it more accessible. Like an iPhone or iPad, VisionOS is designed to be simple to use so that anyone – or anyone with deep enough pockets to afford one – can pick it up and start using it right away.