Apple’s weird anti-nausea dots cured my car sickness

A user has reported that Apple’s new Vehicle Motion Cues, introduced in 2024, effectively eliminated their car sickness while traveling, highlighting a promising application of the feature for motion sickness relief.

The Vehicle Motion Cues feature, available in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, uses small black dots around the display that move in harmony with vehicle motion, based on data from the device’s accelerometer and gyroscope. The user described that enabling this feature allowed them to read and work comfortably during long car trips, a marked change from previous experiences of nausea.

The feature can be toggled via accessibility settings and customized in terms of dot size, color, and density. The user particularly appreciated the ability to enable or disable the dots easily through a double-tap gesture on their iPhone, making it convenient to activate only when needed. The dots are designed to be unobtrusive but can interfere with map and text displays on straight roads, an issue the user noted could be improved by adaptive dimming.

While this is an anecdotal account, it suggests that Vehicle Motion Cues could offer a practical solution for many individuals suffering from motion sickness during vehicle travel, especially those who work or read on the go.

Potential Impact of Apple’s Motion Cues on Motion Sickness

If verified through broader use, Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues could represent a significant advancement in managing motion sickness, a common problem affecting travelers, commuters, and those with sensory sensitivities. The feature’s reliance on visual cues that align with physical motion could reduce nausea without medication, offering a non-invasive alternative for many users.

This development may influence future vehicle and device designs, integrating motion-adaptive visual cues as standard accessibility features. It also underscores the growing role of consumer technology in addressing health-related issues, potentially expanding to other forms of motion-related discomfort.

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Introduction and User Experience with Vehicle Motion Cues

Announced in early 2024, Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues are part of a broader push to enhance accessibility and user comfort across its devices. The feature uses the device’s sensors to detect vehicle movement and displays moving dots around the screen that mimic the vehicle’s motion, aiming to align visual input with physical sensations.

The feature is configurable and can be set to appear automatically when vehicle motion is detected or toggled manually. Early user reports, including from an individual who traveled extensively during a recent European road trip, indicate that enabling the feature can significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea and dizziness.

This anecdotal evidence aligns with scientific understanding that visual-vestibular mismatch causes motion sickness, and that providing visual cues synchronized with actual movement can mitigate these symptoms. Apple’s implementation appears to be among the first consumer-level attempts at leveraging this approach.

“Once enabled, I’ve comfortably read books in the Kindle app on my phone for hours and even worked during long drives, which was impossible before.”

— Anonymous user on Hacker News

Limited User Feedback and Scientific Validation

While the anecdotal report is promising, there is currently no comprehensive scientific study validating the effectiveness of Vehicle Motion Cues for reducing motion sickness across diverse users. Broader testing and peer-reviewed research are needed to confirm these initial impressions and determine the overall efficacy.

It remains unclear how universally effective the feature will be, whether it benefits certain types of motion sickness more than others, or if there are potential side effects or limitations not yet identified.

Broader Testing and Potential Integration into Vehicles

Further user reports and scientific studies will be necessary to confirm the effectiveness of Vehicle Motion Cues. Apple may also refine the feature based on feedback, such as improving visual clarity on straight roads or integrating adaptive dimming for the dots.

Automakers and other device manufacturers could explore similar solutions if this approach proves widely effective, potentially leading to new standards in vehicle and device design aimed at reducing motion sickness for consumers.

Key Questions

Can I enable Vehicle Motion Cues on my device now?

Yes, if your device supports iOS 18 or above, you can enable Vehicle Motion Cues via the Accessibility settings under Touch > Back Tap to assign the feature to a double-tap gesture.

Do Vehicle Motion Cues work for all types of motion sickness?

It is not yet confirmed whether the feature is effective for all types of motion sickness. Current evidence is anecdotal, and scientific validation is pending.

Will Apple make this feature available in vehicles or only on devices?

Currently, Vehicle Motion Cues are available as an accessibility feature on Apple devices. Future integration into vehicle displays or systems is not confirmed but could be considered if efficacy is proven.

Are there any known drawbacks or side effects?

Some users report that the dots can interfere with map or text visibility on straight roads. Further research is needed to understand any potential drawbacks fully.

Source: Hacker News