What Are The New Accessibility Features Included With CarPlay?

One of the key accessibility features that will grace CarPlay soon is the Voice Control feature. In the past, we’ve recommended Voice Control as an invaluable iPhone accessibility feature, but with the upcoming iOS 18 update, CarPlay users can now also benefit from navigating with just their voice. Furthermore, iOS 18 will offer iPhone and iPad users the ability to use AI-powered Vocal Shortcuts for more complex tasks.

While HomePod users have long been able to benefit from Sound Recognition’s smoke detector alert, the update is also set to integrate Sound Recognition to CarPlay. In the case of deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers, this can mean notifications for everything from car horns to ambulances approaching, which can help to increase awareness and prevent accidents on the road. Additionally, the new version will also include Color Filters and the option to use Bold Text, to aid those with visual disabilities like color blindness, or other impairments such as dyslexia, to interact with the CarPlay interface more effectively.

While not a part of CarPlay, in the same announcement, Apple relayed its plans to introduce Vehicle Motion Cues, which are little moving dots that can help reduce the experience of motion sickness for passengers. In an effort to reduce the experience of sensory conflict, iPhone users will be given the option to have this feature turned on automatically whenever a device senses that you’re reading or looking at your screen while seated in a moving vehicle.