# Smartphone features for motion sickness mitigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/smartphone-features-for-motion-sickness-mitigation
> Updated: 2026-09-21T11:36:23.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 3.

Smartphone manufacturers are implementing features to mitigate motion sickness, or kinetosis, caused by sensory conflicts between screen visuals and physical movement during travel.

Google has expanded access to ‘Motion Assist’ for Android, a feature integrated into Google Play Services and Android 17. Designed to assist passengers in cars, buses, or trains, the tool works by overlaying discrete, moving graphic elements—such as dots, circles, squares, or diamonds—along the edges of the screen. These elements move in synchronization with the vehicle’s motion, such as acceleration, braking, and turning, providing visual cues that help reduce the discrepancy between what the eyes see and what the inner ear registers.

Users can customize the experience by selecting from five different colors, various geometric shapes, and adjusting opacity levels. This development follows a similar concept implemented by Apple for iOS 18, known as ‘Vehicle Motion Cues’. While these tools utilize motion sensors to provide real-time visual cues, they are intended as accessibility aids rather than medical cures and are most effective when activated before symptoms begin.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Google introduces Motion Assist to reduce Android motion sickness

Google is rolling out Motion Assist for Android, a feature that uses moving on-screen graphics to help reduce motion sickness for passengers in moving vehicles.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/google-introduces-motion-assist-to-reduce-android-motion-sickness

### 2026-09-19: Smartphone features aim to reduce motion sickness during travel

Apple and Android are offering features like Motion Assist and vehicle motion cues to reduce motion sickness caused by using smartphones in moving vehicles.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/smartphone-features-aim-to-reduce-motion-sickness-during-travel

### 2026-09-08: Google introduces Motion Assist to combat motion sickness on Android

Google is launching Motion Assist for Android 17, a feature using moving screen elements to help reduce motion sickness in vehicles, matching a similar capability already available on Apple devices.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/google-introduces-motion-assist-to-combat-motion-sickness-on-android

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Cite as: Smartphone features for motion sickness mitigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/smartphone-features-for-motion-sickness-mitigation