Apple
- Apple is developing a new safety feature that detects car crashes, WSJ reported Monday.
- "Crash detection" is planned for iPhones and Apple Watches next year, per documents seen by WSJ.
- The safety feature reportedly auto-dials 911 and measures sudden spikes in gravity.
Apple plans to roll out a new safety feature for iPhones and Apple Watches that detects car crashes and automatically calls 911, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing company documents.
Similar to Apple's fall-detection technology, "crash detection" uses motion sensors to measure data such as sudden increases in gravity and acceleration, WSJ reported Monday. Apple is planning to roll the feature out next year, according to the Journal.
While the feature is not yet available, iPhone and Apple Watch users have anonymously shared data in order to improve the crash-detection algorithm, WSJ reports. Apple products have detected over 10 million potential crashes but only a small percentage included a 911 call, according to the Journal.
Apple did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
If released, the feature will join Apple's recent push toward developing new health and safety features, such as the Apple Watch Series 7's ability to detect if its wearer falls while riding a bike.
The company is saving features like blood pressure and blood sugar detectors for the Series 8, which will likely debut in 2022, Insider's Katie Canales and Kevin Webb reported.
Crash detection could potentially be included in Apple's next health-sensor rollout. However, insiders told the Journal that its release could be delayed or canceled entirely.