Home -> XR glossary -> Motion Sickness

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness, also known as motion sickness, is a disturbance of the sense of balance caused by repetitive movements such as the rocking of a vehicle or a ship.

Motion sickness is characterized by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and vomiting. The cause lies in the discrepancy between the movements perceived by the inner ear and the visual impressions.

Motion Sickness

Causes of motion sickness

The main cause of motion sickness is a mismatch between the movements perceived by the inner ear and the visual impressions received by the brain.

When these sensory impressions do not match, the brain has difficulty processing the information, causing dizziness and nausea.

Symptoms of motion sickness

  • Feeling of nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Cold sweats
  • Headache
  • vomiting

Who is most affected?

Motion sickness can impact anyone, but some people are more susceptible than others. Children, women, and people with migraines or anxiety disorders are more likely to suffer from motion sickness. Genetic factors may also play a role.

AR and VR motion sickness prevention and treatment

Optimizing frame rate

A low frame rate can cause discomfort in AR and VR applications because the brain has difficulty processing the movements correctly. A stable frame rate of at least 90Hz is recommended to minimize the risk of motion sickness.

Reduce latency

A long delay between head movement and visual display (latency) can cause dizziness and nausea. Minimizing latency in AR and VR systems can help prevent motion sickness.

Limiting movement

Unnatural movements or camera pans that are too fast in VR environments often exacerbate motion sickness symptoms.

Limited use and breaks

Vulnerable individuals should use AR and VR applications for short periods of time and take regular breaks to rest the brain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get motion sickness from video games or virtual environments?
Yes, motion sickness can occur when using VR headsets or playing certain video games. This phenomenon is typically referred to as "cyber sickness" and is caused by similar sensory discrepancies as traditional motion sickness.

How long do the symptoms of motion sickness last?
The duration of symptoms varies from person to person and situation to situation. In most cases, symptoms subside shortly after the movement ends, but for some people they can last for hours or even days.

Are there any long-term effects of motion sickness?
In most cases, motion sickness has no long-term effects. However, if it occurs frequently, it can affect travel behavior and cause people to avoid certain forms of transport.

More terms:

Back to the main page