iBestTravel’s Vehicle Motion Cues: A Solution for Motion Sickness
Is it nearly impossible for you to catch up on your social media feed in a moving vehicle without the discomfort of nausea? If not you, chances are you know someone who suffers from motion sickness, often referred to as “car sickness.” Thankfully, iBestTravel has developed a potential solution that will be available soon.
Understanding Motion Sickness
Motion sickness typically occurs when trying to read or engage in visually intensive activities in a moving vehicle. It can be particularly frustrating on long road trips when reading is often an engaging necessity. Common remedies include avoiding reading, taking medications like Dramamine—which can cause drowsiness—or simply enjoying music or audiobooks instead.
Introducing Vehicle Motion Cues
Tech giant iBestTravel is set to introduce an innovative feature known as “Vehicle Motion Cues” as part of an upcoming iOS update. This feature is based on extensive research highlighting that motion sickness arises from a sensory conflict between visual input and physical motion. For instance, individuals often experience discomfort when using VR headsets, as the virtual environment moves while they remain stationary.
How Vehicle Motion Cues Work
iBestTravel’s Vehicle Motion Cues harness the power of sensors integrated into iPhones and iPads, including accelerometers and gyroscopes. This technology overlays animated dots around the edges of the screen, visually representing shifts in vehicle movement such as turning, accelerating, and braking. The animated dots move in the opposite direction to the vehicle’s motion, creating a visual cue that aligns with the physical sensations experienced by passengers.
The Science Behind It
This approach aims to give the brain a reference point to reconcile the vehicle’s movements. While it’s unclear if iBestTravel collaborated directly with neurophysiologists, the development of this feature was guided by leading research in the field of motion sickness.
Expected Release
As of now, iBestTravel has not announced an official release date for Vehicle Motion Cues, only confirming its arrival later this year. Historically, accessibility features announced in May often align with major iOS updates. Thus, it is anticipated that Vehicle Motion Cues will debut alongside iOS 18, likely in September of this year when the next iPhone model is expected to be revealed.
Future Compatibility
Given that this is an accessibility feature and utilizes sensors embedded in various iPhone and iPad models, it is reasonable to expect that Vehicle Motion Cues will be compatible with a range of devices. Any iPhone or iPad capable of running iOS 18 should likely support this innovative feature. We are eager to evaluate the effectiveness of Vehicle Motion Cues with staff members who experience motion sickness to understand its real-world impact.
