Seetroën: anti-travel sickness glasses

What causes travel sickness?

 Kinetosis, more commonly known as travel or motion sickness, is a harmless condition, although as anyone who has ever felt sick on a long car journey can attest, it can be extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant. It is caused by sensory conflict; when you take a mode of transport your brain receives two kinds of information at once. It records what your eyes see when they pick up on movement like corners and speed, and also registers information from the vestibular system in the inner ear that controls your sense of balance and lets your brain know that your body isn’t moving while you are seated, almost motionless. When they receive the two kinds of contradictory information, your body and brain react to produce different symptoms that can include nausea, light-headedness, vomiting and headaches.

Seetroën S19: how do travel sickness glasses work?

 Citroën worked with two other companies to develop its travel sickness glasses, which don’t have real lenses. Boarding Glasses is a clinically tested, trademarked medical concept developed by Boarding Ring, a start-up based in the Var region of France. Originally designed for sailors, the technology is based on four transparent rings that contain a blue liquid. As the liquid moves with the vehicle (left, right, backwards and forwards), it attracts the eye and simulates an artificial horizon that re-synchronizes your eyes and inner ear. In turn, the brain analyzes new visual information, neutralizing the sensory conflict that makes you feel ill and providing a remedy in just a few moments. Studio 5.5 took care of design, providing an end-to-end concept for the automobile maker.

How do they work?

If you’re on the road and starting to feel nauseous, wearing the glasses for just ten minutes should make you feel better; in 95% percent of people, that’s how long it takes for the senses to re-synchronize. Once you feel better, you can take the glasses off and enjoy your journey again, even reading or watching your favorite series on your tablet.

Your glasses can be won by anyone over the age of ten, the age at which the inner ear reaches maturity, so you can share them with most of the family. The manufacturers recommend that you don’t take anti-motion sickness medication if you’re planning on using the glasses as they could make it less effective.

Where can we get hold of them?

Seetroën S2019 glasses have been produced in a limited run of 1919 copies, a number chosen in reference to Citroën’s centenary year, this year. You can find the S2019 style as well as the 2018 edition, in the brand’s e-store for €99. The limited edition is set to drop July 15 2019.

Find the product