Apple is reportedly engaged on a brand new iPhone and Apple Watch function that detects in the event you’re in a automobile crash and dials 911 mechanically. The present plan is to roll out such a function next year.
The feature would mark the latest move by Apple and its competitors to use motion-sensor technology to build safety functions into their devices.
Google’s Personal Safety app on Pixel phones already includes a feature to call for help when it detects car crashes, just like connected car services in modern vehicles do, including GM‘s OnStar, Subaru’s Starlink, and Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect.
The rise of unsafe smartphone usage in cars made way for integration systems like CarPlay and Android Auto, the former appearing in nearly 80 percent of new vehicles in 2020, according to Apple.
Developing a brand new crash detection function into the iPhone alongside CarPlay might bolster Apple’s rumoured IronHeart mission to join its telephone with automobile settings in the identical manner HomeKit controls sensible audio system and lighting.
Targeting the annual $2 billion (roughly Rs. 14,915 crore) income stream that GM brings in with OnStar with the built-in options can be a really Apple factor to do.
While Apple’s accident detection hasn’t always worked as intended in the past, the company has had many years to collect data and analytics on willing iOS and watchOS users.
It remains to be seen how accurately Apple will be able to detect car crashes, let alone people falling.
How does a crash detection feature will work ?
The Crash Detection feature will “use data from sensors built into Apple devices including the accelerometer to detect car accidents as they occur, for instance by measuring a sudden spike in gravity, or “g,” forces on impact”, the report reads.
Apple would use a motion-sensor to detect whether the person using an iPhone or Apple Watch is involved in a car crash or an accident of any sort.
Interestingly, Pixel phones already have a feature that calls for help whenever it detects a car crash. The feature is available on Google’s Personal Safety app.
The feature uses sensors like an accelerometer and a microphone to detect an accident.
Whenever the app detects a car crash, the phone will raise an alarm, if it goes unanswered, the app will automatically call 911 and provide the location of the person involved in a crash to emergency services in the US.