Apple reveals 'Vehicle Motion Cues' feature to help prevent motion sickness

Apple has announced a collection of new accessibility features it plans to add to iPhone and iPad devices in future versions of iOS and iPadOS. Among those features is an engaging new experience called Vehicle Motion Cues, designed to reduce the risk of motion sickness when passengers are reading or viewing documents on their devices.

Apple revealed the "Vehicle Motion Cues" feature to help prevent motion sickness

Apple said: 'Research shows that motion sickness often occurs due to sensory conflicts between what a person sees and what they feel.' "[This] may prevent some users from comfortably using their iPhone or iPad while the vehicle is moving." To combat this, Vehicle Motion Cues will use sensors inside the mobile device to overlay animated dots around the edges of the screen when the vehicle is turning, accelerating or braking.

As shown in the image above, the dots represent a change in the vehicle's motion by moving in the opposite direction to the motion. Turning left will cause the dots to slide across the screen to the right, assuming you're facing the front of the car. Likewise, accelerating will cause the dots to move downward on the screen, and braking will cause the dots to move upward on the screen.

This feature can be set to automatically display Vehicle Motion Cues when it detects you are in the car, or can be turned on manually every time you get in the car via Apple's Control Center overlay.

Voice control and sound recognition features are also coming soon

Apple also revealed that its CarPlay interface will have several new accessibility features, including Voice Control, Color Filters and Sound Recognition, which Apple describes as follows:

With Sound Recognition, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can turn on alerts to be notified of car horns and sirens. For colorblind users, Color Filters makes the CarPlay interface easier to use visually, with additional visual accessibility features including Bold Text and Large Text. .

Apple didn't reveal exactly when users can expect to see these new accessibility features available on their mobile devices, but it's likely they will be integrated with iOS 18, which is expected to be released soon. announced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 10 to 14.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 22 May 2024