The Crash Detection feature on the iPhone appears to be mistaking the jerky motions for auto accidents.
According to reports, the iPhone 14’s new “Crash Detection” feature, which is designed to instantly inform emergency authorities when it determines that it has been in a car accident, is having its own accident by unintentionally contacting 911 when riding roller coasters.
The function, which was unveiled at Apple’s product event in early September, employs an axis gyroscope and a high-G accelerometer to detect the four primary types of crashes:
- Front
- Side
- Rear-end
- Rollover
The feature will instantly link the user to emergency personnel in the event that the sensors detect an impact. An audio message alerts emergency authorities to the crash and gives its location if the user doesn’t end the call within 20 seconds. The function is a part of Apple’s increased emphasis on security functions in its mobile products.
However, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that since the iPhone 14 went on sale in mid-September, emergency officials in the area of Cincinnati’s Kings Island amusement park had received six calls about iPhone crashes. Similar warnings have come in from riders on a roller coaster at Six Flags Great America, which is close to Chicago.
The machine learning component of the function uses data from the sensors as well as other components like the Apple Watch Series 8’s GPS and microphone to assess whether a crash has occurred. More than 1 billion hours of driving and crash data were used to train it. But according to Apple, the function is only meant to be used while a person is in or on a car.
The potential of making a false 911 call can be one of the very reasons to leave the iPhone 14 (and other gadgets) behind before boarding that bumper car. Bringing smartphones on rides is generally not a good idea. Otherwise, you can choose to:
- Turn off the feature completely
- Put your phone in airplane mode
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