iOS 18's Vehicle Motion Cues: A New Way to Reduce Motion Sickness on the Go

Motion sickness can be a major inconvenience when using a smartphone or tablet in a moving vehicle. Apple aims to tackle this issue with the introduction of Vehicle Motion Cues (VMC) in iOS 18, which is set to release on September 16, 2024. This innovative feature is designed to help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of motion sickness by utilizing subtle visual indicators on the screen, keeping your eyes, brain, and body in sync.

How Vehicle Motion Cues Work

Vehicle Motion Cues work by placing small black dots around the edges of your iPhone or iPad screen. These dots move in response to the motion of the vehicle, subtly mimicking the physical movement you're experiencing. The dots are designed to be non-intrusive, ensuring they don't distract you from reading, watching videos, or other activities on your device. Their movement helps provide a reference point that aligns with the motion your body feels, potentially easing the disconnect between your visual and vestibular systems—a common cause of motion sickness.

How to Turn On Vehicle Motion Cues

Enabling the VMC feature is simple and can be done through the Accessibility settings on your iPhone or iPad. Here's how to turn it on:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select Motion.
4. Find and toggle on Vehicle Motion Cues.

By following these steps, the VMC feature will activate whenever you're using your device in a moving vehicle.

Quick Access via Control Center

For quick and convenient access, you can add the VMC button to your Control Center. This allows you to turn the feature on or off with just a swipe and a tap. To add the VMC button to the Control Center:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Control Center.
3. Scroll to find Vehicle Motion Cues and tap the green "+" icon to add it.

With this setup, you can easily manage the VMC feature whenever you're on the go, ensuring it’s always ready when you need it.

How Vehicle Motion Cues Detect Vehicle Motion

Vehicle Motion Cues utilize the iPhone's built-in acceleration and motion sensors to detect when you're in a moving vehicle. These sensors allow the device to understand its movement patterns accurately, automatically triggering the VMC feature when necessary. By detecting the vehicle's motion, the system adjusts the dots on your screen to correspond with the movement, offering a consistent visual reference that may reduce motion sickness symptoms.

Does VMC Really Help with Motion Sickness?

Apple acknowledges that the VMC feature might only offer slight relief from motion sickness, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. Motion sickness occurs when there is a disconnect between what you see and what your body feels. By introducing a subtle yet responsive visual cue that mirrors the vehicle's motion, VMC aims to lessen this sensory conflict. If you often feel nauseous while reading or using your phone in a moving car, bus, or train, VMC is worth trying.

Conclusion

iOS 18's Vehicle Motion Cues is a thoughtful addition aimed at improving the experience of using an iPhone or iPad in motion. While not a guaranteed cure for motion sickness, it's a handy tool that could make a difference for many users. Its subtle integration ensures it doesn’t interfere with regular device usage, providing a seamless way to enhance comfort on the go. Whether you're a frequent traveler or someone who occasionally struggles with motion sickness, VMC offers a potential solution right at your fingertips.

iOS 18 Release Date

iOS 18, which includes the Vehicle Motion Cues feature, will be available starting September 16, 2024. With this update, Apple continues to focus on enhancing user comfort and accessibility, making it easier to use iPhones and iPads in various environments, including while traveling.

Tags

iOS 18Vehicle Motion CuesVMCMotion SicknessiPhoneiPadAccessibilityMotion SensorsAppleApple Event 2024Apple iOS LaunchApple Launching DateApple New FeaturesApple New iPhonesApple New macOSApple New MacBookApple New iPadsApple New ProductsApple New LaunchesAaple Chip