Car accident detection, a unique safety feature available on Google Pixel devices, immediately calls emergency services when an accident is detected. Non-Pixel Android phones may soon have access to the technology that motion sensors in a smartphone use to identify accidents. A news series of alleged codes discovered in Google’s most recent Personal Security application creates the possibility that other Android phones may soon receive new security measures. Android phones are expected to gain crisis alert and security monitoring capabilities in addition to the car crash detection capability.
More about the new feature
On Google Pixel 3 and subsequent devices at specific locations with specific carriers, Google’s car crash detection is currently accessible. As already mentioned, the feature uses sensors to detect the phone and motion sensors as well as adjacent sounds to identify car accidents. When Battery Saver or Airplane mode is on, the feature does not work. The phone calls emergency services when a collision is detected, and Android’s Emergency Positioning Service sends the approximate location and accident information to the emergency services.
When 9to5Google analyzed the most recent version of the Personal Security application, 9to5Google used an APK analysis to discover the distribution of car crash detection capabilities to other Android devices. Google Play is currently offering the Personal Security application in version 2022.05.25. The article revealed code strings called “non-pixel” phones, indicating that Google may be providing the security feature to the non-pixel phones. The article claims that Google has changed the code in some cases to generalize “your device” rather than “Pixel”. Other Android phones apparently get some Pixel-only capabilities, such as crisis notifications and security checks.
Since the new feature requires some permissions to work, it is unclear how the company will bring the functionality to Android phones that do not have pixels. The Google Play services should soon include the personal security features. At present, it is unknown which Android devices will initially have access to detect car crashes and other new safety features. Brand-to-brand availability is likely to be the case.
