One of the novelties of the iPhone 14 is the detection of accidents, which allows to automatically alert the emergency services. However, the feature lacks precision: Over a hundred fake calls have been triggered in Japan, which could prevent emergencies from responding to real accidents.
The iPhone 14 can detect collisions and contact emergency services if the user does not react. A truly life-saving feature available on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), as well as Apple Watch Ultra . However, false positive stories are multiplying, according to reports 9to5Mac.
Kita Alps firefighters received 134 false calls in a month
The English media write that “Firefighters at Kita Alps in Nagano, Japan, said they received 134 false calls between December 16 and January 23.“. False positives mainly due to the fall detection system of the iPhone 14.
The system is activated when skiers go down the slopes. During this period, the Japanese emergency services received 919 calls and the hundred related to iPhones represents more than a tenth of the workload. When the feature is activated, it begins a countdown and a siren to notify the user and give them the ability to turn it off. Otherwise, the automatic call for help is launched. During certain physical activities, in particular sliding, it may happen that the user does not hear the siren and therefore cannot deactivate it.
Cases multiplying around the world
This is not the first false positive story to be aired in the media. Rescuers on Colorado slopes are overwhelmed by iPhone 14 robocalls. A YouTuber tested accident detection and found the system too sensitive. Another issue noted: roller coasters also cause problems. Its behavior, combining speed, acceleration or sudden braking, is similar to that of a car in an accident, which deceives the iPhone.
The concern is that the emergency services have an obligation to intervene: in case of doubt, they cannot ignore incoming calls that may actually be caused by real accidents. Several other stories tell how this detection system saved lives. However, the time and resources involved in rescuing very well people can make actual accidents worse.
According to the English-speaking media, Apple would be in contact with various local emergency services to examine the concerns and resolve them. The latest version of iOS, iOS 16.2, was released at the end of December and added “Collision detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models».
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