Japanese study finds 100-hertz tone reduces EV motion sickness

A study by Nagoya University in Japan has found that listening to a steady 100-hertz tone for just one minute before traveling can significantly reduce motion sickness symptoms in electric vehicle (EV) passengers. This simple sound therapy was effective not only in driving simulators but also in real cars and even on playground swings. The low-frequency tone stimulates the otolithic organs in the inner ear, which are responsible for detecting linear acceleration and gravity, thereby broadly activating the vestibular system that maintains balance and spatial orientation. Physiological measurements confirmed that this sound exposure improved the regulation of sympathetic nerves often disrupted during motion sickness. The research addresses a growing concern as EVs become increasingly popular worldwide, with over 13 million new EVs sold in China and 1.3 million in the U.S. in 2024. EVs’ unique acceleration and regenerative braking produce motion cues that differ from gasoline vehicles, often causing discomfort such as dizziness and nausea. Other studies from China have linked EV dynamics to increased muscular tension