Apple Files Patents For AirPods That Keep You Safe With Outside Noises

Last year, rumors emerged that Apple could be moving to turn its AirPods into on-the-go health devices, potentially doubling them up as hearing aids or a thermometer. 

Now, it seems the technology giant has even grander ambitions for its wireless earbuds, with a series of new patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) showing the company is looking into a safety system that will automatically adjust audio levels to keep users safe while out and about. 

According to SlashGear, one of the new patents involves using a user’s data, including the speed at which they’re moving and the total distance traveled, along with positional and location data, to lower the volume or pause music playback when deemed necessary, such as during emergency alerts. 

Additionally, based on GPS data collected by the user’s iPhone or Apple Watch, the earbuds will be able to determine the direction in which one is moving, allowing it to tweak volume levels on either the left or right earbuds when ambient audio cues are required. 

“Wearable electronic devices, such as earbuds, headphones, glasses, and the like, provide audio to a user substantially wherever or whenever he or she may be. While this facilitates user choice, it has the unintended side effect of often consuming a user’s attention, or otherwise distracting him or her, in some situations,” explained the patent document. 

“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,” it added. 

9to5Mac noted that the patent suggested an even more intelligent system in which suggestions could be provided to users based on their native country, such as the correct side to pay attention to when crossing the road. 

Going even further, the AirPods could be synced with a smart exercise mat to guide users while following a workout plan, “determining whether the user is performing the activity correctly” based on one’s position, along with verbal instructions to correct posture. 

While Apple’s patent filings do not guarantee these improvements will ever make it to the end-product, it certainly seems to be a step forward in the right direction to turn wearables into portable safety devices to better protect users on the go. 

[via SlashGear and 9to5Mac, cover image via Eren Aksunger | Dreamstime.com]