Google has tried not to skip on key health and fitness tracking features for its first smartwatch but does the Pixel Watch have support for fall detection? Some users are more prone to falls depending on their age, health condition, or the exercise activity they are engaged in. In cases where a user sustains a hard fall, smartwatches with support for fall detection will contact an emergency contact or emergency services. This life-saving feature uses sensors in the watch to detect when a user has had a hard fall.
The Pixel Watch isn't only wearable for health and fitness tracking but is also a smart device worn on the wrist. With its launch came the debut of the Google Home app for Wear OS, which allows users to control compatible smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, and cameras, right from their wrists. And for the few whose sole reason for wanting it is its design, Google has got them covered with multiple band styles and a plethora of watch faces to choose from.
As part of its safety and emergency features, the Pixel Watch has Emergency SOS, allowing users to quickly dial emergency services and preset contact information for an emergency. Another essential feature linked to Emergency SOS is Fall Detection which will ask to call emergency services or a preset contact when the watch detects a user has had a hard fall. While this feature is available out of the box on rival smartwatches such as the Galaxy Watch 5, it isn't the case with the Pixel Watch. Instead, Google states that it will add the feature in Winter 2022 or Summer 2022 for those in Australia.
Fall Detection Is Coming Soon
At the Made by Google event, Google didn't say why the feature isn't available right out of the box, but at least it has confirmed it will add the feature in the future. The feature will most likely be activated following an update. However, it is unknown how Google's implementation would work. On Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5, users can choose when fall detection should work. Available options are always, during physical activity, or only during workouts. Users can choose between having the feature always on or only during workouts on supported models of the Apple Watch.
What is known as seen from official images is that when the watch detects a fall, a message will appear on the screen of the Pixel Watch informing the user it has detected a fall. It will also ask the user if they fell and need help or are okay. Choosing the former should result in the watch contacting emergency services or emergency contact. Google also adds a caveat that fall detection may not detect all falls. When Google eventually enables the feature on the Pixel Watch, it is expected to provide a guide on how to set it up.
Source: Google