Google rolls out Motion Assist on Pixel phones to curb car-motion sickness
Google has begun a staged rollout of Motion Assist, a feature that adds animated edge cues on Pixel devices running Android 17 to help reduce motion-sickness while traveling.
Google is introducing Motion Assist, an on-screen visual aid designed to lessen motion-sickness for passengers using their phones in moving vehicles. By tapping into the device’s motion sensors, the feature projects animated dots around the display that shift in sync with the car’s turns and speed changes, giving the eyes a cue that matches bodily sensations. Available through Google Play services on certain Pixel phones running Android 17, users can adjust the dots’ shape, size, color and opacity, or set the tool to turn on automatically when motion is detected.
The rollout is staged, so even fully updated devices may not yet show the option. Apple offers a similar capability called Vehicle Motion Cues in iOS 18, which also lets users customize the visual pattern. Health officials note that such visual cues aim to address the sensory mismatch that triggers nausea, though they are not a guaranteed remedy.
Why it matters
The feature could make phone use in cars tolerable for motion-sick passengers, improving safety and convenience.
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