Apple is reportedly planning to introduce cameras to the AirPods, with the aim of mass-producing renewed headphones with incorporated infrared cameras by 2026.

The information comes from a new report by the reliable Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo. The cameras could boost Apple’s current and future Augmented Reality headphones with enhanced spatial sound capabilities. According to the analyst, the combined use of these upgraded AirPods with Vision Pro could significantly improve Apple’s spatial computing experience. For example, “if users turn their head in a specific direction, the sound source can be emphasized in that direction,” explained Kuo.

Infrared cameras could also offer gesture control capabilities in the air, similar to Apple’s FaceID facial recognition function. This could allow users to control AirPods with gestures, adding a new dimension to interaction with the device.

Additionally, there is discussion about AirPods with health monitoring capabilities, although Apple has not yet released such functionality.