The Apple Watch can already make an emergency call if the wearer has fallen. The iPhone even goes one step further and warns in advance whether there is a risk of falling.
With the sensors in the iPhone, iOS 15 can carry out a whole range of mobility measurements. These include walking speed, stride length, gait asymmetry and how long both feet touch the ground at the same time when walking. From these measurements, the iPhone can derive the walking stability – and warn of a risk of falling.
Stability when walking gives an indication of the state of health
If the gait stability measurement is activated, the iPhone needs about a week to collect data about its own gait. Using this data, the Health app in iOS creates a graph that tracks walking stability. This is divided into three levels: “OK”, “Low” and “Very low”.
As long as the iPhone evaluates the walking stability as “OK”, everything is fine. However, by continuously measuring it, it can detect when the level is getting a little worse, dropping to “Low” or even “Very Low”. In this case, it warns the user that there is an increased risk of falling in the next twelve months. Receives a notification that walking stability “Low” or “Very Low”, Apple also recommends that you consult a doctor.
Of course, this does not mean that the smartphone can predict that you will trip over a rock while walking. But the walking stability measurement gives an insight into how your own gait develops. According to Apple, health problems or medication can affect walking stability. Continuous measurement can therefore help to identify and counteract changes early on. Apple even provides users with a few example exercises that can improve stability. These include strength, balance and walking exercises.
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Enable walking stability notifications on iPhone
1. Open the Health app on the iPhone.
2. Click on the tab overview and scroll to the entry Walking Stability Notifications. Tap on Configure.
3. In the next window, confirm with Continue.
4. Enter now birthday, weight and size in and ride with me Continue away.
5. In the next window, confirm with Continue.
6. Choose Activate off to turn on the notifications that warn of the risk of falling.
7. Unlock the setup with one click Finished away.
8. You can now track the walking stability measurement on the iPhone in the Health app. You can find the history in the Health app in the tab Discover Under the menu item stability while walking.