Google’s Pixel car crash detection feature is now available in India, could help save lives

A much-needed feature on really any phone is coming to Google’s Pixel phones – car crash detection. Even though the feature was first introduced internationally in 2019 with the Pixel 4, Apple brought it to India with the launch of the iPhone 14 series in 2022.

Google might be following India time, hence, it has come late. Anyway, for now, the safety feature will be available on select Pixel models, including the Pixel 4a, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, as reported by Android Central.

The feature is already available in a number of countries, it is only now that it is rolling out to users in Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, and India.

The car crash detection feature is available in 11 international languages – English, Dutch, Danish, Italian, Japanese among others. Sadly, it is now yet available in Hindi.

The car crash detection feature uses the device’s location, motion sensors, and nearby sounds to detect if a user has been in a car crash.

The feature requires access to the phone’s location, physical activity, and microphone. Upon detecting a crash, the feature itself will call emergency services on your behalf. The feature uses Android’s Emergency Location Service to make the call and may transmit information about your location.

However, Google has warned that it is possible that the feature may not be able to detect all crashes. Meanwhile, it is also possible to take high-impact activities to be a crash.

“In some cases, your Pixel phone might not be able to call emergency services. For example, your phone might be connected to a weak mobile network or in an ongoing call,” cites Google in a blog post.

Here’s how you can turn on the car crash detection feature on your Pixel phone:

– First of all, you need to have a SIM card in your phone.

–To enable it, open your Pixel phone’s “Personal Safety” app. You can usually find this app in your app drawer.

– Within the “Personal Safety” app, tap on the “Features” option.

– Scroll down the list of features until you find “Car crash detection.” Tap on it.

– You will now see the option to “Set up” the Car crash detection feature. Tap on it to begin the setup process.

– It will ask you to turn on the location services. Tap “Allow while the app is in use.” This allows the app to access your location during a potential crash event.

– Similarly, will also ask you to grant permission to share your microphone and access your physical activity. To enable the full functionality of the crash detection feature, tap “Allow.”

And that’s all you have to do and your Pixel phone is ready to help you out in an accident.