Apple has been granted a patent that deals with a proposed safety feature for the AirPods, which may help prevent any mishap from befalling the wearer by making them more aware of their surroundings, as per a report by 9To5Mac. The feature may lower or pause the volume of the audio being played on the TWS earbuds, to make the user’s mind snap out of the audio content.
Apple notes in the patent that the advances in portable computing have made it easier for people to consume content in nearly any setting. This could prove dangerous in some cases as devices like earbuds, headphones or glasses may jeopardise the safety of the individual wearing them by distracting them and/or preventing them from getting alerted to fast approaching danger. Also, it could spell trouble for those around the wearer also.
To address the issue, the tech giant further says in the patent that GPS data from iPhone or Apple Watch could be combined with the sensors already present on the AirPods to check the location and speed of the wearer and also if they are wearing both the earbuds or just one. This data is supposed to trigger the safety feature. For example, if the GPS says that the user is in a crowded place or road and is wearing both the earbuds, it could prompt an action from the AirPods, like pausing the playback or decreasing the volume. If you are walking next to a road the volume in the AirPods unit in the ear facing the traffic may go down to make you aware of the sounds coming from the road.
“The direction of motion may indicate a user is moving along a shoulder of a road with his or her right side toward the road (presuming the user is walking forwards). Thus, audio output to the right ear may be adjusted. If the motion data suggests the user is walking with his or her left side towards the road, audio output to the left ear may be adjusted,” said Apple in the patent.
Similarly if the feature detects that you are cycling or riding a bike, based on the speed and motion data, it may act accordingly to bring your focus back to the road.
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