Apple has unveiled a new feature called Vehicle Motion Cues aimed at reducing motion sickness for iPhone and iPad users. This feature is part of the latest accessibility updates the tech giant is rolling out.
How It Works
The Vehicle Motion Cues feature uses animated black dots on the edges of the screen to represent changes in vehicle motion. When a vehicle turns, stops, or accelerates, the dots move accordingly to reduce sensory conflict. The dots are small enough not to interfere with the main content on the screen.
Built-in Sensors
iPhones and iPads can detect when a user is inside a moving vehicle thanks to built-in sensors. These sensors enable the devices to respond in real-time to vehicle movements, enhancing user comfort.
Purpose and Benefits
Research indicates that motion sickness is often caused by a sensory conflict between what a person sees and feels. This conflict can make it uncomfortable for users to look at their devices while in a moving vehicle. Vehicle Motion Cues aim to alleviate this problem, making it easier for users to scroll through their feeds without experiencing nausea.
Activation and Availability
The Vehicle Motion Cues feature can be set to activate automatically when the device detects motion. Users can also manually turn it on or off via the Control Center. The feature will be available as part of an upcoming update.
Additional Features
In addition to Vehicle Motion Cues, Apple is introducing other accessibility features such as eye tracking, CarPlay voice control, and Music Haptics. These updates are expected to be part of iOS 18, which will likely be released later this year.
Apple’s new Vehicle Motion Cues feature is a promising solution for reducing motion sickness when using iPhones and iPads in moving vehicles. By addressing sensory conflict with real-time visual cues, Apple continues to enhance the accessibility and usability of its devices for all users.
