The iPhone 14 Is Smart Enough To Know That You’ve Been In A Crash

It’s September 2022 and Apple is out with yet another iPhone packed with the latest tech. Something tells us that we won’t have to endure any kidney jokes/memes this time around. Although a far cry from being affordable, the 14 is priced similar to last year’s iPhone 13. There are a bunch of updates to the phones, bundled with the latest iOS 16. But what got our attention is the new crash detection feature, where the iPhone can figure out if you’ve been in a crash and alert your emergency contacts and services.

The iPhone 14 monitors change in speed, direction and sound levels

Apple claims the new iPhone 14 series can sense a crash accurately and does it using various parameters. First up is a new G-force accelerometer, which detects any sudden change in velocities up to 256G. This, paired with a gyroscope, can sense any sudden shift in speed or direction. Another basic way the phone can figure out if you’ve been in a crash is by monitoring the sound levels. Extreme levels of sound will be monitored by the device but for privacy reasons, it will be processed on the phone itself. 

Preset algorithms and public crash data help improve accuracy

These are basic ways to figure out a crash and can also be misinterpreted for high-intensity activities, like, say a roller coaster ride, right? But Apple has also incorporated a barometer, which can sense the change in cabin pressure when an airbag is deployed. All these parameters along with algorithms from real-world laboratory tests that induce head-on, rear-end, side-impact and roll-over collisions, help the phone accurately figure out a crash. Moreover, as an extra step to further refine this process, Apple is also using public crash data to increase accuracy. 

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The crash detection feature is also present in the new Series 8 Apple Watch. Meanwhile, Apple has taken the in-car infotainment system to the next level with the iOS featuring an updated CarPlay layout. The new OS will not only be an infotainment system but will also integrate various other functions in a car. The new CarPlay will also be not limited to just the infotainment system as it will use other screens in the car, including the instrument cluster. The first list of cars to feature the new CarPlay will soon be announced and the feature is expected to debut in 2023.