Apple has plans for a new feature for its iPhone and Apple Watch that would allow the devices to detect when you’re involved in a car crash and automatically phone 911. The Wall Street Journal‘s Rolfe Winkler says company documents and internal sources say Apple plans to launch the feature in 2022.
The crash detection functionality will use data from sensors built into the iPhone or Apple Watch, such as the built-in accelerometer, to detect a car crash by measuring a sudden spike in gravity, or “G” forces on impact.
The feature would be just the latest move by Apple to build safety functionality into its devices. The Apple Watch already includes a fall-detection feature built-in, which detects when the wearer has taken a hard fall and dials 911 if they don’t respond to a prompt asking if they are okay. The Cupertino firm earlier this year added a feature to the newest version of its iPhone operating system that assesses the walking steadiness of users.
The timing of the new feature could change, or Apple could choose not to release it, “people familiar with the company’s development process” told Winkler.
Apple declined to comment on the report.
Winkler says Apple has been testing the crash-detection feature over the past year, collecting data shared anonymously from iPhone and Apple Watch users. Testing has already counted more than 10 million suspected vehicle crashes, of which more than 50,000 included a call to 911.
(Image courtesy of app.com)