If the rumors coming our way from SlashGear are true, Apple will upgrade the AirPods with health-related features, such as heart rate monitoring. Apple’s latest patent shows that the Apple TWS headsets can help users avoid accidents on the road or on noisy construction sites.
In a series of patents filed by Apple with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Apple mentions a Contextual audio system that automatically adjusts the volume to ensure users can hear important sounds around them, such as emergency sirens and car beeps.
Also Read: Apple AirPods Have No Equals In The World, New Report Proves
Specifically, the background sound system can determine the user’s travel direction and speed through GPS data and other sensor parameters collected by the user’s mobile phone or Apple Watch. Then, it will adjust the volume of the corresponding left or right earphones. For example, GPS data shows that the user is at a busy intersection; but the user is wearing AirPods in both ears. This means that the user may not notice the surrounding traffic when crossing the road. In this case, the AirPods will lower the volume or even pause playback. Another example is when the data shows that the user is walking by the side of the road, AirPods will only reduce the volume of the headphones on the side of the road.
At the same time, when AirPods and other devices detect certain data, the system may also play alarm audio saved on the iPhone or Apple Watch to remind users to pay attention to their surroundings. The patent claims that the sound of AirPods may be reduced or even paused in situations where users need to focus, such as hazardous locations, job sites, and educational centers.
Moreover, there is a special sensor that will work in conjunction with other sensors in an iPhone or Apple Watch to monitor the position of the user’s torso and take action accordingly.
Well, now the most interesting part, there is no word in the patent that this feature will be available on the AirPods. But the description makes us think that it is for the AirPods.
