The Apple giant has integrated a handful of sensors into its iPhone 14 smartphones, as well as its Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra and SE watches. These can detect changes in air pressure related to airbag deployment in a car, or even sound, movement, and GPS location.

If the device recognizes that the scene of an accident is involved, its owner is offered the option of calling the emergency services or ignoring the alarm. The person has 20 seconds to respond, otherwise their priority contacts (if applicable) and authorities will be notified automatically.

False alarms in ski resorts

However, in the United States, skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers who had collision detection mode enabled had the unfortunate surprise of triggering the alert process… and a headache for local emergencies.

As trade site The Verge reports, winter activities with quick starts, stops and bumps and snowsuits that can drown out the noise and vibration of a phone create the perfect storm for many people.

In cases listed in October 2022 When driving in the United States, relatives said they received an automated message from Apple saying: The owner of this iPhone was in a serious car accident and won’t answer the phone. In the background, people said they heard the sounds of the amusement park.

Not just failures

Apple’s system is also successful: after a fatal accident in Nebraska, USA, emergency services could be contacted quickly thanks to this technology.

The Apple giant has also adjusted its technology in two updates, including iOS 16.2 which added an option to report a false alarm to Apple.

Apple device owners with collision detection technology enabled – also available in Canada – can temporarily pause the system by enabling Airplane mode. However, the service could be useful for people who train in remote locations or off the beaten path.