fall detection

Following a false start and multiple rumoured launches, Google is officially pushing fall detection out to the Pixel Watch.

Fall detection, for those unfamiliar, works exactly as it sounds. If the Pixel Watch detects that the wearer fell, it will automatically call emergency services for you. Now that it’s out, we know a little more about how Google’s take on fall detection will work.

First up, as noted by 9to5Google, the Pixel Watch should be able to tell between a hard fall and exercise (such as burpees, which could appear similar to a fall). Part of that is the Pixel Watch’s ability to check for recovery from a fall. For example, if the wearer doesn’t move for 30 seconds after a hard fall, the Pixel Watch will show the ‘Fall detected’ screen. It asks whether the wearer needs help or if they’re okay — tapping the “I’m OK” prompt will dismiss the screen.

The Fall detected screen also counts down and will vibrate and sound an alarm. After a minute of no response, the Pixel Watch will call emergency services and use an automated message detailing your current location and what happened. If the wearer can do so, they will be able to talk with the emergency operator.

9to5 reports there are some differences in how fall detection works depending on your Pixel Watch variant. The Wi-Fi model needs to be in the range of your phone and connected with Bluetooth in order to place a call to emergency services. However, the LTE variant of the Pixel Watch can place the call without your phone.

Fall detection is rolling out today — Pixel Watch owners can check the companion app on their phone and look for a card promoting the new feature in the ‘Updates’ feed (tap the speech bubble in the top-right corner). A prompt should also appear in the Personal Safety app. Finally, the Pixel Watch needs to be on version RWD9.220429.073 or newer.

At the time of writing, fall detection hadn’t appeared on my Pixel Watch even though it’s on the latest software. As with most things, Google is likely staggering the update — I expect it will arrive sometime soon.

Source: 9to5Google

Back when the Pixel Watch launched, Google promised it would add fall detection to the smartwatch “this winter.” Now, it seems the feature could be right around the corner as a teardown of the Pixel Watch app revealed details of how fall detection will work.

9to5Google performed the teardown of the Pixel Watch app version 1.1. As with any teardown, it’s important to remember that code snippets and other discoveries can be misinterpreted, especially when features are still in development. Moreover, things can change before launch.

With that said, let’s take a look at what 9to5 found in the teardown. First, the publication outlined the set-up process for fall detection, sharing text that explains the feature “works by using motion sensors on your Pixel Watch.” It also warns that “high-impact activities may trigger fall detection, and your watch can’t detect all falls.”

There are three steps to activate fall detection. This includes that when the Pixel Watch detects a hard fall, it will wait 30 seconds, then vibrate, sound an alarm and check if the wearer needs help. If the wearer doesn’t respond, the Pixel Watch attempts to contact emergency services. Finally, the smartwatch will play an automated message during the call that provides the wearer’s location and requests for help. If the wearer is able, they can also speak to the emergency operator. 9to5 also uncovered what the automated message will say:

“You are being contacted by an automated emergency voice service on behalf of a caller. The caller’s watch detected a possible fall, and they were unresponsive. Please send help. Their location is 12.039578 degrees latitude, -121.947872 degrees longitude. This message will repeat 3 times.”

Finally, 9to5 also found that the fall detection feature should be available in Canada and other countries, including Australia, France, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S.

It’s worth noting that fall detection started showing up for some Pixel Watch owners earlier this year. Since then, users have been eagerly watching for the feature to arrive, though it hasn’t yet. Hopefully, this means fall detection will arrive soon.

Source: 9to5Google