Future iterations of iOS and iPadOS will see a number of additional accessibility features added to iPhone and iPad models, according to Apple. One of the most interesting new experiences among them is Vehicle Motion Cues, a function that aims to lessen motion sickness while (ideally just) passengers are using their devices for reading or watching content.
“Research shows that motion sickness is commonly caused by a sensory conflict between what a person sees and what they feel,” Apple states. “[This] can prevent some users from comfortably using iPhone or iPad while riding in a moving vehicle.” In order to counter this, Vehicle Motion Cues will overlay animated dots across the screen’s boundaries when the car is braking, turning, or accelerating using sensors inside your mobile devices.
The dots in the above figure, which move against the motion, indicate changes in the direction of the vehicle’s motion. If you’re facing the front of the car as you turn left, the dots will move across the screen to the right. Similar to this, when you accelerate, the dots on the screen will go down, and when you brake, they will move up.
Using Apple’s Control Center overlay, you can configure the function to turn on manually each time you go in the car, or to have it turn on automatically when it recognizes that you are in a vehicle.
Audio Recognition and Voice Control are on the Way
A few more accessibility capabilities, including as Voice Control, Color Filters, and Sound Recognition, will be added to Apple’s CarPlay interface. Apple explains these functions as follows:
Drivers and hard-of-hearing passengers can activate alerts to receive notifications about car horns and sirens using Sound Recognition. Along with additional visual accessibility features like Bold Text and Large Text, Color Filters help users who are colorblind use the CarPlay interface more easily.
Apple often announces the availability of new accessibility capabilities on its mobile devices during WWDC, which is scheduled to take place from June 10–14. However, Apple has not disclosed the precise date of this announcement.
