Apple is exploring a new Apple Pencil-style controller for the Apple Vision Pro, according to a newly granted patent. This development is somewhat ironic given Apple’s insistence that the headset requires no physical controllers, relying instead on eye and hand tracking. The patent, titled "Computer System with Handheld Controllers," describes an oversized, marker-shaped device meant to be grasped like a pen or wand.

Unlike the stylus used for iPad, this accessory would function primarily as a spatial input tool. When used with the headset, the tip would display a virtual overlay, such as a paintbrush or other computer-generated tool head. Internally, the device would feature an inertial measurement unit to track motion, swipes, and rotations, alongside wireless communication for connecting to various electronics.

While patents don't guarantee a finished product, this filing suggests Apple is considering how to bridge the gap between its existing accessory ecosystem and its new spatial computing platform.