Google has begun rolling out Motion Assist, a new feature for Android devices designed to alleviate motion sickness experienced by passengers using their phones in moving vehicles. The feature displays animated dots around the edges of the screen that react to the vehicle's motion, aiming to reduce the sensory conflict between what the eyes see and what the body feels.
This development follows Apple's introduction of a similar feature, Vehicle Motion Cues, with iOS 18 in 2024. Google began working on its version around the same time, initially naming it Motion Cues before rebranding it as Motion Assist. The feature is now appearing on select Pixel phones running Android 17, delivered through Google Play services rather than a full operating system update.
Motion sickness often occurs when the eyes are focused on a stable screen, while the inner ear detects the vehicle's movement. This discrepancy can lead to nausea and dizziness. Motion Assist addresses this by providing visual cues on the screen that synchronize with the car's movements, using the phone's built-in motion sensors like the accelerometer and gyroscope.
Users can customize the appearance of these cues, adjusting their shape, size, color, and opacity. Motion Assist can also be set to activate automatically when the phone detects that it is in a moving vehicle.
Rollout and Availability
The rollout of Motion Assist is currently staged, meaning not all users with Android 17 will see the feature immediately. It has been observed on select Pixel phones, and Google has not yet released a comprehensive list of supported devices or a dedicated support page. Users can check for updates to their phone's software and Google Play system updates as potential precursors to the feature's appearance.
To enable Motion Assist on compatible Pixel phones, users can navigate to Settings > tap their Google profile > tap All services > scroll to Personal & device safety > tap Motion Assist. From there, they can toggle 'Start in a moving vehicle' for automatic activation or add a tile to Quick Settings for manual control.
Comparison with iPhone's Feature
For iPhone users, Apple's Vehicle Motion Cues offers a comparable solution. It can be found under Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues. Users can opt for automatic activation or continuous display and customize the visual cues. Apple advises using this feature as a passenger and not while operating a vehicle.
While both features aim to mitigate motion sickness, their effectiveness can vary by individual. They are presented as supplementary tools, and users experiencing severe discomfort are still advised to look towards the horizon or listen to content rather than watch a screen. Google has published guides on how to have phones read articles aloud on both iOS and Android.