World's First Anti-Sickness Car: A Breakthrough in Comfort and Technology

If you’ve ever experienced the discomfort of motion sickness, a new innovation from ClearMotion might just change your driving experience forever. The Boston-based startup has developed an advanced suspension system that promises to eliminate motion sickness, and the technology is being tested in the luxury NIO ET9 vehicle at a facility in Warwickshire.

ClearMotion’s system functions like noise-cancelling headphones for the road, using compact motors and a sophisticated computer to adjust the wheels and counteract road bumps. As I discovered during a test drive, the ride is remarkably smooth, suggesting a future where motion sickness could become a thing of the past.

The Technology Behind the Smooth Ride

Unlike traditional suspension systems that rely on passive gas and springs, ClearMotion’s suspension is active. This means it uses external power to adjust the wheels in real-time, effectively neutralizing the jolts that typically trigger motion sickness. The system’s ‘sky hook’ approach keeps the car body level while the wheels follow the road’s contours.

Christian Steinmann, CEO of ClearMotion, explains that the system allows drivers to tailor their ride, from a sporty feel to a motion-cancelling experience. The NIO ET9 even features a ‘Champagne Mode,’ allowing it to glide over speed bumps with a tower of glasses on the bonnet—a testament to its smoothness at low speeds.

Experiencing the Ride

During the test drive, the difference was palpable. With the active suspension engaged, even the most uneven roads felt smooth. Turning it off, the car reverted to a typical bumpy ride, highlighting the technology’s effectiveness. The system’s ability to maintain comfort was evident even when reading in the back seat, a scenario that usually induces nausea.

Innovations in Road Mapping

ClearMotion is not stopping at suspension. They are developing RoadMotion, a software that uses GPS data to map road surfaces in detail. This mapping allows the suspension to anticipate and react to road conditions, further enhancing the ride’s smoothness.

Marco Giovanardi, ClearMotion’s Technical Fellow, likens RoadMotion to ‘Shazam for the road,’ identifying patterns in road surfaces. Once a road is mapped, the system can locate the car with an accuracy of one centimeter, even in tunnels where GPS is unreliable.

“With this proactive control, you can isolate a lot more motion because, by knowing what’s coming, you can do the right thing all the time,” says Giovanardi.

Future Prospects and Challenges

While the technology is promising, it’s still in its early stages. RoadMotion is currently in prototype, with limited road mapping in the UK. However, ClearMotion anticipates that it would take just a week of regular commuting to map a driver’s route with 90% accuracy.

Steinmann envisions a future where this technology is integrated into autonomous vehicles, allowing for completely smooth rides without human intervention. Such advancements could redefine how we travel, making long drives more comfortable and productive.

Conclusion: A New Era in Driving Comfort

ClearMotion’s innovations represent a significant leap forward in automotive comfort. While there’s room for improvement, particularly in predictive capabilities, the potential to eliminate motion sickness is a game-changer. As the technology evolves, it could transform our relationship with cars, making journeys not just bearable, but enjoyable.

With plans to bring this technology to the British market by 2027, the future of driving looks set to be smoother and more comfortable than ever before.