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There's a Motorcycle Racing iOS Game You Control With AirPods

RidePods is a new iOS game that's designed to use the AirPods as a wearable controller, and it is promoted as the world's first earbuds-controlled game.

ridepods ios game
The idea is to race with head movements, tilting your head left or right to steer and dodge cars. RidePods uses the motion sensors that are built into the AirPods to detect head movements.

RidePods is a hands-free game, so like an endless runner, the motorcycle propels itself while the player controls the steering and dodging oncoming traffic. The idea is to get the highest score possible.

To play the game, users will need earbuds with motion sensors, like the AirPods Pro, Pro 2, or Pro 3. The third-generation AirPods and later also work, as do the AirPods Max.

As noted by The Verge, the game uses the same accelerometer and gyroscope that powers spatial audio. The developer behind the game, Ali Tanis, said that developing it required reverse engineering the spatial audio feature. Developers have access to an API for headphone motion data for fitness tracking purposes, but Tanis used the information in another way.

A few weeks ago, while listening to music and developing an app with my AirPods, I noticed their spatial audio feature. I thought about what else could be done with reverse engineering, including the possibility of using AirPods as a motion controller. I built the world's first AirPods-controlled game, which uses a motor driven by head movements. In fact, it's not just AirPods, it's a game that uses a headset as a motion controller. And today, it was approved on the App Store. Who knows, maybe AirPods Arcade has even started? :)

The game is free, and it can be downloaded from the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

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Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
13 months ago

The developer behind the game, Ali Tanis, said that ('https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45362365') developing it required reverse engineering the spatial audio feature. Developers have access to an API for headphone motion data for fitness tracking purposes, but Tanis used the information in another way.
Kinda curious if this stays up. Apple doesn't typically like things that reverse engineer or use their APIs in unintended ways. They also don't typically like fun, either.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
13 months ago
For when the race track is an oval

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Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

I didn't realize my head has been leaning to the left all this time. /s.

Same. Can't seem to get it to adjust the starting point. Head straight equals hard left turn, head bent to right equals straight, head trying to touch my right shoulder equals gentle right turn!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
I didn't realize my head has been leaning to the left all this time. /s.


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Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

They also don't typically like fun, either.
Don't they?

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Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
I'm getting the same "AirPods Not Connected" message no matter what I try. Tried restarting the phone, turning bluetooth on and off, etc...

Tried AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max 1st Gen... neither work...

I even tried actively listening to music through the phone on my Airpods as I started the gamed it still says they aren't connected???

Also tried uninstalling and reinstalling... oh well.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)