Google works on Motion Cues feature to combat motion sickness on android

Google is reportedly working on a new Motion Cues feature designed to reduce motion sickness for Android users in moving vehicles.

This innovation, discovered during an APK teardown of the latest Google Play Services beta app (version 24.29.32) by Android Authority and tipster Assemble Debug, could bring native support to address this common issue.

Once activated, the Motion Cues feature is said to display visual elements that align with the vehicle's movement. These cues aim to prevent the sensory conflict between the brain, eyes, and inner ear that often leads to motion sickness. Screenshots and videos shared in the report demonstrate how the cues mimic the vehicle's motion, appearing on the device screen as users travel.

The feature will reportedly allow users to auto-enable it, with visual cues appearing automatically when driving is detected. It will also include a dedicated tile in the quick settings menu for easy access. However, the functionality requires "Display over other apps" permission to operate effectively.

Although the Motion Cues feature has been discovered and partially activated, it is not yet live, even with the latest Google Play Services version. This suggests that its public release may still be some time away as Google continues development and testing.

The Motion Cues feature is similar to Apple's "Show Vehicle Motion Cues," introduced with iOS 18. Apple's implementation uses dots along the screen edges to simulate vehicle motion and is turned off by default, with an option for manual or automatic activation.

Motion sickness affects a significant number of people during transit, and with this feature, Google aims to enhance the user experience for Android users on the move.