Google, as often happens, is working on new technologies to make life easier for users.
On this occasion, the company announced a new functionality added to mobile devices with the Android operating system, the objective of which is to turn the smartphone into a small seismograph that offers real-time information on possible natural phenomena.
Marc Stogaitis has been the lead software engineer and has worked on this project alongside experts in seismology and natural disasters. This technology seeks to create the largest earthquake detection network in the world through mobile devices.
Smartphones include small accelerometers that are capable of detecting signals that indicate that an earthquake could be occurring, ”explains the Google worker .
In addition, the engineer adds that, starting today, some phones, when detecting something that could be an earthquake, could send a signal to the earthquake detection server next to the location where the earthquake occurred.
Google notes in a statement that more than 50 percent of earthquake injuries can be prevented if people received an early warning.
However, it is a costly infrastructure, so the company saw a niche of opportunity in Android to give people timely information to react and get to safety in the event of a disaster.
According to the company, as of today, Android devices can be part of the earthquake alert system anywhere in the world.
The server combines the information with that of other phones to determine if an earthquake is indeed occurring.
“Basically, we run the speed of light (which is roughly the speed at which phone signals travel) against the speed of an earthquake. And luckily, the speed of light is much faster, ”Stogaitis added.
Your Android phone can now detect earthquakes and help you get timely earthquake information on Google Search. Hear lead engineer, Marc Stogaitis, explain how the new detection system works. Learn more: https://t.co/0tYtYpRYfr pic.twitter.com/7uPeZJF1HZ
— Android (@Android) August 11, 2020