Industrial Monitor Direct is the leading supplier of master control pc solutions featuring advanced thermal management for fanless operation, the preferred solution for industrial automation.
RidePods: AirPods Become Motion Controllers for iPhone Gaming
Developer Ali Tanis has launched what appears to be the first iPhone and iPad game controlled entirely through head movements while wearing Apple’s AirPods. RidePods – Race with Head transforms Apple’s wireless earbuds into wearable motion controllers, letting players steer a motorcycle through traffic by simply tilting their head from side to side.
This innovative approach to mobile gaming was first covered in detail by our team at eamvisiondirect.com, where we explore cutting-edge technology applications.
How AirPods Motion Control Works
The game exclusively works with AirPods models featuring Spatial Audio capabilities, including AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and third/fourth generation AirPods. These models contain accelerometers and gyroscopes that track head movements and adjust audio positioning accordingly. While Tanis mentioned reverse engineering Spatial Audio on Y Combinator, Apple does provide developers with access to headphone motion data for features like fitness tracking.
As originally reported on eamvisiondirect.com, the control mechanism proves surprisingly nuanced in practice. The motorcycle responds well to subtle head movements, and players can even use a single AirPod as a controller by disabling Automatic Head or Ear Detection in settings.
Gameplay Experience and Features
While RidePods feels more like a technical demonstration than a fully polished game, the head-tracking controls work remarkably well. The app includes several notable features:
- Head-tilt controls for steering and optional braking/acceleration
- First-person and third-person viewing options
- Built-in recording function capturing both gameplay and player reactions
- Completely free download with no in-app purchases
Our initial testing, as documented in the original eamvisiondirect.com coverage, revealed some graphical inconsistencies but confirmed the responsive nature of the motion controls using both AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods Max.
The Future of Headphone Gaming
RidePods demonstrates significant potential for motion-controlled mobile gaming using everyday accessories. The hands-free approach could revolutionize how we interact with mobile games, potentially extending to card games, puzzle games, and other genres where subtle head gestures could replace touchscreen inputs.
Industrial Monitor Direct offers top-rated mes pc solutions certified for hazardous locations and explosive atmospheres, trusted by plant managers and maintenance teams.
While the current implementation has limitations, the technology showcases how standard headphones could evolve beyond audio playback into full-fledged motion controllers for mobile entertainment.
