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Apple Watch with accident sensor saves drivers – so it works after all

2022-10-26T07:44:45.901Z


Apple Watch with accident sensor saves drivers – so it works after all Created: 2022-10-26Updated: 2022-10-26 09:35 By: Marcus Efler False alarms and crash test failures cast doubt on the Apple Watch and iPhone accident sensor. But now a driver reported who she apparently saved. Update from October 26, 2022, 9:30 a.m.: And it works. After doubts about the functionality of the crash sensor in t


Apple Watch with accident sensor saves drivers – so it works after all

Created: 2022-10-26Updated: 2022-10-26 09:35

By: Marcus Efler

False alarms and crash test failures cast doubt on the Apple Watch and iPhone accident sensor.

But now a driver reported who she apparently saved.

Update from October 26, 2022, 9:30 a.m.:

And it works.

After doubts about the functionality of the crash sensor in the iPhone and Apple Watch or Ultra had increased, it has now apparently saved an injured driver from worse after an accident.

His Apple Watch 8 "probably helped save my life last night," a driver posted on Reddit.

Apple Watch with accident sensor saves drivers – so it works after all

A tire of his Subaru had burst and the car hit a mast at 50 km/h.

"Head against steering wheel, constant honking, car smoking - in the middle of nowhere," is the dramatic description.

Then the man felt the buzz of his watch on his wrist.

"The next thing I know, I was taken away in an ambulance." Later diagnosis: The floor of the eye socket and three ribs were fractured.

"But I'm alive," says the driver, and recommends all other Watch wearers: "Turn on the crash detection!"

Update from October 11, 2022, 1:26 p.m.:

The idea behind the crash sensor in the new Apple Watch and the iPhone 14 is certainly really good: In the event of a car accident, emergency services should be alerted automatically if the owner is no longer able is to call for help yourself.

But the devices are obviously not always right: while a YouTuber recently tested the Apple Watch and iPhone 14 in an accident (see below), the Apple Watch now triggered incorrectly several times – in rides by amusement parks.

Apparently, the Apple Watch's accident sensor triggers an unwanted alarm on roller coasters.

(Iconic image) © agefotostock/Imago

As the

Wall Street Journal

reports, the emergency call center near the amusement park Kings Island in the US state of Ohio has already received six automatic calls from iPhones alone.

According to the report, similar emergency calls were also made from the Joker roller coaster at Six Flags Great America amusement park near Chicago.

The Apple devices had apparently interpreted the ride on a roller coaster as a crash.

Theoretically, there is still a possibility for the user to stop the call to the emergency services if the accident alarm were not triggered incorrectly – but the people on the roller coaster probably did not notice this ten-second countdown during the wild ride.

Update from October 4, 2022, 3:00 p.m.:

It was only a matter of time before car or gadget testers would try out one of the new functions of the Apple Watch 8, Ultra or the iPhone 14: crash detection, should alert the emergency services in the event of a car accident.

Now the American YouTuber Luke Miani has tried the system – by installing several devices in scrap cars and then letting it rip several times.

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The sobering result: not once did the Apple Watch or iPhone hit - although a very violent impact with a driverless car pulled by a cable was part of the program, as well as a rollover down a slope.

"It doesn't work," summed up the Apple crashers.

Apple Watch with accident sensor: detection failed in the crash test

To be fair, however, one must also add that the tests were not standardized crash tests, but rather uncoordinated banging around.

However, the corresponding video should not fail to have an impact on the 407,000 subscribers to the technology YouTuber.

Here it is:

First report from September 8, 2022, 1:02 p.m .:

For many Apple fans, September is the most important month of the year: Then the Cupertino company presents its new iPhones, and some other gadgets like the next generation of the watch ( the presentation of the iCar, on the other hand, will probably have to wait a few more years).

The Apple Watch in particular made its big appearance in the live stream from Cupertino this year: Several customers reported emotionally on situations in which the wristwatch had probably saved their lives.

Apple Watch 8 with accident sensor: This is how it works, it can do it

In addition to extensive medical functions that monitor, for example, heart rhythm or blood oxygen content, the smartwatch also has sensors that can detect falls by joggers or cyclists, for example, and alert rescue services.

The newly presented eighth generation adds another one: A detection of car accidents, the "Crash Detection".

Knight in shining armor?

Apple Watch, here the outdoor version Ultra.

©Apple

Apple Watch 8 with accident sensor: One million data evaluated

It activates automatically and only when the wearer of the Apple Watch 8 or Ultra drives in the car.

A revised three-axis gyroscope and a new accelerometer that can detect up to 256 g then capture the environment 3,000 times per second.

There is also data from the barometer, microphone and GPS.

An algorithm compares its input with a million crash data that Apple has collected in simulations.

So he can recognize four types of accidents:

  • frontal impact

  • side crash

  • rear-end collision

  • rollover

If any of this happens, the Apple Watch triggers a ten-second countdown.

If the driver does not consciously stop him, emergency services are automatically alerted.

Background to this effort: Almost half of all serious accidents in the US happen in rural areas, and most of the time no other vehicle is involved.

The drivers involved in the accident are then on their own.

Seen in this way, crash detection is a useful addition to the Apple Watch.

After a crash, this message appears on the display of the Apple Watch 8. © Apple

Apple Watch 8 with accident sensor: addition to eCall

However, European drivers always have a similar system with them, even without it - at least if they are sitting in a reasonably modern car.

Because since April 2018, the so-called eCall has been mandatory in new cars.

It automatically alerts emergency services and transmits the location if, for example, the airbag is deployed, and can also be activated manually.

There are also similar systems that some car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz also install as standard.

Here, however, the emergency call first goes to the car brand's own headquarters.

Don't miss anything: You can find everything to do with cars in the regular car newsletter from our partner tz.de.

Apple's crash detection is primarily a backup for existing technologies, but it certainly can't do any harm.

And what you hope you never need.

Source: merkur

All tech articles on 2022-10-26

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