Google is enhancing the safety features of its Pixel smartphones by expanding the Car Crash Detection feature to several new countries, including India. Originally launched in the United States in 2019, this life-saving feature is now available to Pixel users in India, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, and Switzerland. It’s a significant move that makes Google’s safety technology accessible to more users around the world.
Car Crash Detection on Pixel Phones
Car Crash Detection is designed to detect severe car accidents and automatically alert emergency services while sharing the user’s location. This feature is available on Pixel 4a and later devices but requires an active SIM card for functionality.
Setting Up Car Crash Detection
To activate Car Crash Detection on your Pixel smartphone, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Personal Safety app on your Pixel phone.
- Tap on “Features.”
- Scroll down to “Car crash detection” and tap “set up.”
To ensure the feature works correctly, grant the necessary permissions for location, physical activity, and microphone sharing.
How It Works:
Pixel phones utilize location data, motion sensors, and nearby sounds to identify a car crash. When a crash is detected, your Pixel phone will vibrate, sound an alarm, and ask if you need assistance. If there’s no response, or you confirm that help is required, the phone will automatically attempt to contact emergency services, including 112, the pan-India emergency services number. It will provide them with your location and car crash data, ensuring a swift response in critical situations.
Important Considerations:
- It’s important to note that not all types of accidents can be detected by the feature.
- Some high-impact activities, such as roller coaster rides, may trigger the crash detection function.
- To successfully alert emergency services, your Pixel phone must be connected to a stable mobile network.
Recent Google Pixel Launch
Last month, Google introduced its latest Pixel phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, during the “Made by Google” event. These devices come equipped with Google’s cutting-edge Tensor G3 chip, offering various AI-backed features and camera enhancements. The Pixel 8 is available in India with a price tag of Rs. 75,999 for the 128GB storage model, while the Pixel 8 Pro is priced at Rs. 1,06,999 for the same storage capacity.
With the expansion of the Car Crash Detection feature and the latest advancements in the Pixel series, Google continues to prioritize user safety and innovation in its smartphone offerings.