I can't read in a car. Listening to music is normal, just like podcasts and audiobooks, but anything that requires me to look at a page or screen for more than a few seconds makes me nauseous.
I was intrigued when I came across iPhone function this should prevent or at least reduce car sickness. This feature is called Vehicle Driving Hints and overlays dots on the left and right sides of the screen. These dots move when the car you are driving turns or accelerates.
How is this supposed to work? To answer, we need to talk a little about what causes car sickness in the first place.
How motion sickness occurs
How do we previously reportedThere are two common theories of motion sickness: the “postural instability theory” and the “sensory conflict theory.” The first theory is that when people lose control of their posture—say, on a rocky boat or a roller coaster—we get sick. The second theory, “sensory conflict”, is more often cited in medical research, and is what Apple's Vehicle Motion Cues system is based on. This is also the preferred explanation Center for Disease Control (CDC)which states that “motion sickness occurs when the movement you see is different from what your inner ear senses.”
But what does your ear have to do with anything? It turns out that the ear does more than just hear. The vestibular system, which is part of the inner ear, is essentially responsible for allowing you to do things like run or ride a bike without falling. according to the Cleveland Clinic. A fluid called endolymph (to simplify) flows in the inner ear. The movement of fluid is detected by the hair cells of this system, and this detection largely explains why you “feel” like you are moving while sitting in a car, even if you close your eyes.
Your vestibular system works closely with your visual system to maintain balance. This works great when you're walking, running, or otherwise moving around on your own. The problem is that you are driving a vehicle that is not under your control. Take your eyes off the horizon and your body will feel the movement but not see it. The conflict between what you see and what you feel causes a sensory conflict that can make you feel sick.
That's why Cleveland Clinic recommends that anyone who experiences motion sickness while reading should put down “the book, phone or tablet and look at objects in the distance or on the horizon” to resolve the conflict.
There are a few more things you can try. Traveling on an empty stomach will not help, so eat well before your trip. And avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, both of which can make motion sickness worse.
So what's special about Apple?
Return to your iPhone. The “Vehicle Driving Hints” feature, which you can find in “System Settings” under “Vehicle Driving Hints”. Availability > Movementplaces circles on either side of the display. You can turn them on all the time or only when your iPhone detects that you are in the car.
These circles move in a way that gives you a visual clue about your vehicle's movement. So, if your car is moving forward, circles will “pass” next to what you are reading at the same speed as objects on the side of the road would if you were looking out the window. If the car is reversing, the circles will move in the opposite direction, and if the car is turning, they will move in a way that suggests a turn is taking place. The idea is that these circles will reduce the conflict between your eyes and inner ear.
Apple release about this feature doesn't cite any specific scientific research that inspired this feature, but it's worth noting that article by researchers from the University of Salzburg, 2019 took an extremely similar approach. This study, based on an Android app, showed moving bubbles on the sides of the screen that moved similarly to Apple's dots. Most participants reported a decrease in feelings of motion sickness, although this was a small study.
I couldn't find any research on how effective this Apple feature is – it's only been available for a year. Some users report great success using this feature, although it doesn't work for everyone. Oddly enough, I tried it while running errands and felt a little less sick with the feature turned on. However, you may want to do your own research. If you feel nauseous in the car while reading, research suggests it might be worth a try. Consider switching this feature so that it only turns on when you are in a moving vehicle and see how it feels. You may find that you are able to read in the car.
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