Google is rolling out a new Android feature designed to help passengers use their phones in moving vehicles without feeling queasy. Called Motion Assist, the tool displays animated dots around the edges of the screen that react to the vehicle's motion, providing a visual cue that may reduce the sensory conflict linked to motion sickness.
The feature is now appearing on select Pixel phones running Android 17, according to reports. Google began developing the tool around the same time Apple introduced a similar feature, Vehicle Motion Cues, with iOS 18 in 2024. Initially named Motion Cues, Google later renamed it Motion Assist before the current staged rollout.
Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes and the inner ear. While reading or scrolling on a phone, the eyes focus on a screen that appears still, but the inner ear senses the vehicle's movement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that this mismatch can cause nausea and dizziness. Motion Assist aims to bridge that gap by giving the eyes additional visual information about the vehicle's motion.
The feature uses the phone's motion sensors, including the accelerometer and gyroscope, to track changes in the vehicle's speed and direction. As the car turns or accelerates, the on-screen cues move accordingly, helping the eyes align with the body's sensations. Users can customize the shape, size, color, and opacity of the cues, and can also set Motion Assist to activate automatically when the phone detects travel in a moving vehicle.
However, not all Android 17 users will see the feature immediately. Google appears to be rolling out Motion Assist in stages, and it is still missing from some Pixel devices. The feature is delivered through Google Play services rather than a separate app, meaning it can arrive independently of the main Android operating system update. Google has not yet published a dedicated support page or a list of supported devices.
For Pixel users who have received the feature, it can be found in the Settings app under Display or Accessibility, depending on the device. A Quick Settings tile can also be added for manual toggling. If Motion Assist is not visible, users are advised to check for software updates and Google Play system updates, though even fully updated phones may not receive the feature right away due to the gradual rollout.
Apple's Vehicle Motion Cues, available since iOS 18, offers a similar approach. iPhone users can enable it in Settings under Accessibility, then Motion, and choose to display the cues automatically or continuously. Apple also allows customization of the pattern, color, and number of dots. Both companies emphasize that these features are intended for passengers, not drivers, and that they may help reduce motion sickness but are not guaranteed fixes.
While the concept is straightforward, it targets the underlying sensory conflict that causes motion sickness. For those who still feel unwell, experts suggest putting the phone down and looking toward the horizon, a strategy recommended by the CDC.