Google's Pixel Watch Adds Fall Detection

Google Pixel Watch will now have the fall detection feature, the company has announced. 

In a blog post, Google said that fall detection will use motion sensors built into the Apple watch and on-device machine learning to determine if the user has taken a hard fall and will call emergency services if the user doesn’t move or respond within a certain timeframe. There’s an option to turn the feature on in the ‘Updates’ page on the Watch Companion app or directly on the Pixel Watch in the Personal Safety app.

If the user takes a hard fall and the watch detects that the user isn’t moving for about 30 seconds, it will vibrate, sound an alarm and display an on-screen notification to check on the user. The user can either tap ‘I’m OK’ on the watch face to dismiss the notification or tap ‘I fell & need help’ to be connected to emergency services right away.

Otherwise, the alarm will continue for about a minute, getting louder in the final few seconds. If the user still hasn't responded, the watch will automatically attempt to call emergency services and play an automated message that requests help to wherever the user is. The user can also speak to the emergency operator, if possible, to let them know whether or not s/he needs help.

Worried that doing burpees or hitting the ski slopes will trigger an accidental emergency call? The Pixel Watch exactly knows the difference between taking a hard fall and performing a vigorous physical activity or even quickly recovering from a small stumble.

The motion sensors and algorithms can monitor for a sudden impact and the user’s body’s responses and instinctive reactions to falling. The feature is also tested against high-energy activities that involve impact, sudden drop or excessive arm movements to avoid those types of activities from triggering a false notification. 

Google unveiled its Pixel Watch in the fall of 2022. Though it owns Fitbit, Pixel Watch is the first watch under the Google brand.

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