Using your smartphone while riding in a moving vehicle can trigger motion sickness for many users. As of March 2024, Apple has introduced a feature called Vehicle Motion Cues on devices running iOS 18. This setting is designed to help alleviate the discomfort of motion sickness by displaying animated black dots on the screen, which mimic the movement of the vehicle.
Motion sickness occurs when there is a mismatch between the sensory signals perceived by the brain. Inside a car, your body remains stationary while the surroundings move, leading to conflicting signals that can induce nausea. This phenomenon is similar to seasickness and can be exacerbated by focusing on stationary images or text on a mobile device.
The introduction of Vehicle Motion Cues aims to address this issue effectively. When activated, the feature detects when the user is in a moving vehicle, using built-in sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes. The black dots appear on the screen, moving in sync with the car’s motion. This visual cue serves to reassure the brain that the body is indeed in motion, potentially reducing feelings of nausea.
How to Activate Vehicle Motion Cues
To enable this feature, users can navigate to the Settings app on their iPhone. Here, they should select Accessibility, followed by Motion, and then Show Vehicle Motion Cues. Users have the option to set it to manual for constant activation or automatic for when in a moving vehicle.
Apple emphasizes that this feature is not suitable for use while driving, as focusing on a smartphone while operating a vehicle can lead to dangerous situations. The company advises that users keep their attention on the road.
Many users have reported positive experiences with this feature. On the online platform Reddit, one user noted that Vehicle Motion Cues “works and it’s quite amazing,” particularly during challenging travel conditions. Another user shared their surprise at its effectiveness, stating it made a “huge difference” while navigating rough seas and bumpy bus rides.
Despite the encouraging feedback, there remains a degree of variability in individual responses. Some users may find that the feature does not alleviate their symptoms, and a scientific perspective suggests that adding visual cues that do not accurately reflect motion could, in some cases, worsen symptoms.
Understanding the Science Behind Motion Sickness
The underlying science of motion sickness relates to how our brains interpret conflicting sensory information. While your body is still, your eyes see the world moving past, leading to feelings of disorientation. This is why reading static content on your device can amplify the experience, making it harder for the brain to reconcile these differences.
By integrating the Vehicle Motion Cues feature into its operating system, Apple provides a potential solution for many users who experience motion sickness. The dots are designed to be subtle yet effective, allowing users to engage with their devices without succumbing to nausea.
As technology continues to evolve, features like Vehicle Motion Cues highlight the importance of user experience in mobile device design. For those who frequently travel by car and struggle with motion sickness, this innovation could be a significant improvement, turning their smartphone into a more comfortable travel companion.
