The Pixel Watch Finally Gets a Fall Detection Feature
Google recently announced that it will be bringing a much sought-after feature for the Pixel Watch, in the form of Fall Detection. While not an entirely new function, fall detection nonetheless has proven to be a rather useful add-on, that previously came with an exclusivity of sorts to certain wearables. As per Google’s official announcement on its webpage:
“Fall detection on Google Pixel Watch is rolling out starting today, giving you more ways to keep safe and get help when you need it most. Once activated, fall detection uses motion sensors built in to your watch and on-device machine learning to determine if you’ve taken a hard fall and will call emergency services if you don’t move or respond within a certain timeframe. You can turn the feature on in the ‘Updates’ page on the Watch Companion app or directly on the Pixel Watch in the Personal Safety app.”
Users who take a hard fall and aren’t moving for 30 seconds afterwards will trigger the watch to vibrate, sound an alarm, and display an on-screen notification to check on them. They can then tap on their watch to dismiss the notification, or tap on a screen prompt to contact emergency services. Otherwise, the alarm will continue for about a minute, gradually increasing its volume in the final few seconds. If a user has not responded, the watch will automatically attempt to call emergency services and play an automated message that requests help to the user’s location.
Google adds that it’s enabled the Pixel Watch to distinguish the difference between taking a hard fall and performing a vigorous physical activity or even quickly recovering from a small stumble, made possible by machine learning algorithms and testing. The watch’s built-in motion sensors and algorithms can monitor sudden impact, including a user’s response and instinctive reactions to falling.
This new feature follows the February software patch for the device, which was made available last month.
Source: Google