The Crash Detection feature on iOS 16 may sound like a life-saver, but it appears to be becoming spooked by roller coasters.
Crash Detection, which is available on the iPhone 14 range, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2022) and Apple Watch Ultra, is a wireless technology that allows you to automatically call emergency services if it detects you''re in a car crash. While this is a great way to save your life, some users have found it does not always work, while others have found Crash Detection is accidentally triggered on roller coasters; it isn''t an emergency situation.
The Wall Street Journal has first reported the Wall Street Journal (opens in a new tab) and a spike of accidental calls to emergency services that were resulted in a crash detection. Including the initial report, the Wall Street Journal was given access to six additional calls from roller coasters at Kings Island.
According to expert John Stevenson, the cause for this Crash Detection misdetection is likely to be the sudden deceleration seen on several roller coasters, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Some coasters can rapidly reach speeds of 40 to 0 mph, including the Mystic Timbers roller coaster at Kings Island, which was the cause of at least one of the false alerts. This is likely due to a very rapid slowing down of a roller coaster as it enters a corners, similar to the sudden deceleration experienced in a vehicle (or other means of transportation).
Crash Detection: How it works
While Apple was in slight detail on Crash Detection at its September event, we have got some clarification in the past. TechCrunch (opens in a new tab) sat down with Apple executives Ron Huang, Vice President of Sensing & Connectivity, and Kaiann Drance, Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, who gave further insight into the feature.
Apple''s failure to accurately describe the effectiveness of Crash Detection is because it isn''t always activated by the same parameters. However, it appears that the major feature involved is the g-force detection in Apple''s accelerometers. Apple only recently released this feature that Pixel users have already had for some time.
The internal gyroscope, which can detect rapid speed changes, is also another key feature, according to Apple users. From GPS to microphones, even Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay, any cocktail of these sensors may cause Crash Detection to be activated, as long as multiple data points suggest a collision.
Can I turn off Crash Detection?
Yes, you may! Given that it is a potentially life-saving feature, there''s a way to do it. Keep in mind that little things like dropping your phone or low-speed fender benders do not set off a call to emergency services. However, the risk of an accidental call is low.
If you''re going on a roller coaster and want to make sure you don''t get caught for a false alarm, here''s how to turn off Crash Detection (opens in a new tab). If you are on your iPhone, open your Settings app, tap Emergency SOS, and turn off Call After Severe Crash.
The Apple Watch functionality may be disabled, so you can download it on your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, tap Emergency SOS in the My Watch tab, and then turn off Call After a Severe Crash.
If you are still getting used to iOS 16 or your new iPhone 14, here''s what you should know. We have a look at 11 hidden iOS 16 features you must try, none of which will be accidentally activated by a roller coaster.