Google will add motion sickness reduction to Android 17 next year, matching Apple's iOS 18 feature that launched in September 2024. The Motion Cues system displays animated dots on screen edges that sync with vehicle movement.
Motion sickness affects up to 30% of people according to health experts, creating sensory conflict between static screens and moving vehicles. Google's solution uses phone accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect car, bus, or train motion, then overlays visual markers that move in real time.
Code sleuths discovered Motion Cues in Android Canary builds as early as late 2024, but the feature remained disabled. Current Android overlay APIs prevent visual cues from appearing over system areas like notifications, settings, and lock screens.
Google is building a dedicated Motion Cues API at the SystemUI level to bypass security restrictions. This system-level approach will keep dots visible across all interfaces while restricting access to trusted system apps only.
Android 17, codenamed Cinnamon Bun, is expected in June 2026. The feature may debut first on Pixel devices before reaching other manufacturers. Some reports suggest Samsung could implement it earlier via One UI 9 customizations.
Apple introduced Vehicle Motion Cues in iOS 18, which automatically activates when motion is detected. Third-party Android app KineStop has offered similar functionality since 2018, but requires manual permissions and lacks system integration.
The delay stems from technical requirements for new APIs that cannot be added through Google Play Services updates. Full operating system changes are necessary for seamless implementation across all Android interfaces.
Users can customize Motion Cues with different shapes, colors, and intensity levels according to early beta tests. The feature may integrate with a rumored "Transiting Mode" that automatically activates comfort features during travel.
For immediate relief, Android users can download KineStop from the Play Store, though it requires "Display over other apps" permission. The native Android solution promises better battery optimization and privacy controls when it arrives next year.
