Apple earphones will go quiet near traffic

APPLE earphones could in future include a potentially life-saving feature that lowers music volumes near traffic.

The technology giant has filed a patent for an Airpod earphone system that automatically detects dangers nearby, such as fast-moving cars and cyclists.

By connecting to a user’s smartphone or smartwatch, it could use GPS to pinpoint an exact location. It could also use the Airpods’ built-in accelerometer to detect speed.

In one example, “the sensing device may determine that the wearable audio device engages both ears and that the user is at a side of, or on, a road,” the patent reads.

It could then turn off the music in one of the earbuds closest to the road to allow the wearer to better hear traffic.

The system could also play a warning message or instructions in the event of immediate danger. The patent filing says: “Audio output may be paused or lowered while a warning message plays … reminding the rider to pay attention to traffic on the road.”

Apple’s more expensive Airpods Pro already have “active” noise cancelling technology. This means they can adjust themselves to sounds around the user.

But the technology described in the patent could make forthcoming models, including the Airpods3 and Airpods Pro Lite, much smarter.

Previous research has been done to deal with the problem of pedestrians glued to their smartphone screens while crossing the road without stopping to check for traffic. Researchers at

Columbia University last year created headphones which warn “smartphone zombies” of nearby dangers by deciphering hundreds of road noises.

The headphones have miniature microphones embedded within to detect the sound of approaching vehicles.

A processor works out which sounds pose a threat, and if the hazard is close enough, it then sends an audio alert to jolt the pedestrian into action.

According to one US study quoted in the British Medical Journal, deaths of pedestrians who were wearing headphones tripled between 2004 and 2011, with 116 in total over the period.

In the UK, there were more than 450 deaths of pedestrians in all circumstances in 2018, according to government figures.

A survey by technology firm Audio Analytic showed that a quarter of adults had put themselves in danger by stepping out into the road while wearing headphones.

‘The system automatically detects dangers nearby, such as fast-moving cars and cyclists’