The patent says audio output from the AirPods might be paused or lowered for scenarios in which “a user’s attention is necessary, such as hazardous locations, at a job site, in an education facility.” Aside from just motion activity (read: walking down a block or cycling), the system could also kick into action for emergency situations such as flood alerts, accidents, and weather alarms to name a few.
There is also mention of a specialized sensor that would work in tandem with data provided by other sensors fitted inside an iPhone or Apple Watch, to monitor torso position and determine the right course of action. As expected, the patent doesn’t namedrop the AirPods, but the words “wearable audio device” in an Apple patent don’t leave much room for imagining any other product. Aside from saving users from proximity hazards, the system could also have health benefits. For example, it could also announce details about body posture during workouts.
Another Apple patent suggests that the company is thinking about a body posture detection system for the AirPods that will provide real-time feedback for scenarios like head tilt or torso stretch alongside an axis of rotation. But do keep in mind that these are patents after all, which means the idea may or may not ever make its way to a commercially available device in the near future, all of which are subject to technical feasibility and cost allowances.
