Today, Apple announced a suite of new accessibility features set to enhance the user experience on iPhones and iPads, scheduled for release later this year. Among these, a particularly notable feature for vehicle passengers is Vehicle Motion Cues, aimed at alleviating motion sickness experienced while using devices on the move.
Apple's research highlights that motion sickness often results from a sensory mismatch between visual input and physical sensations, making it difficult for some users to comfortably use their iPhone or iPad during car rides.
Vehicle Motion Cues address this issue by incorporating visual indicators that reflect real-time motion changes. The feature uses animated dots along the screen's edges to mirror the vehicle's movements, reducing sensory mismatch without disrupting the primary content on the display. Leveraging the built-in sensors of iPhones and iPads, Vehicle Motion Cues automatically detect when the device is in a moving vehicle and adjust the visual elements accordingly. Users can set this feature to activate automatically or toggle it on and off via the Control Center.
Alongside Vehicle Motion Cues, Apple is introducing an eye-tracking feature, allowing users to navigate their iPhones and iPads using just their eyes. This innovation is part of a broader range of enhancements, including new CarPlay voice control capabilities and Music Haptics. The latter feature utilizes the iPhone's Taptic Engine to deliver tactile feedback synchronized with music, providing users who are deaf or hard of hearing a tactile way to experience audio through vibrations, taps, and textured feedback.
These new accessibility features are anticipated to be part of the iOS 18 update, expected to be released in September. With these advancements, Apple continues to prioritize inclusivity and improve the user experience for all its customers.
