Apple iPhone 15 Dials AAA Emergency Response by Satellite

The new Apple iPhone 15 can call for help even when there’s no cell signal.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

September 14, 2023

1 Min Read
Collage Maker-14-Sep-2023-04-06-PM-3172.jpg
Apple

Apple debuted the ability to text 911 for help by pointing your phone at a satellite, and now in the iPhone 15, the company is expanding that capability to calling the American Automobile Association for roadside assistance.

This capability joins the existing Crash Detection, satellite Emergency SOS, and the ability to share location with others through a satellite connection.

Is Apple Aiming for 2025 for a Car?

Emergency SOS via satellite is already available in 14 countries and regions on three continents and it will add coverage to Spain and Switzerland later this month.

U.S. customers are gaining the ability to contact AAA when they have car trouble even when they are outside cellular coverage areas using a short questionnaire that captures important details and transmits the information via satellite so AAA can message the user directly and dispatch help to their exact location.

Apple is providing access to Roadside Assistance via satellite free for two years for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus buyers. That covers the call for help, but the actual service is covered according to the caller’s AAA membership, though assistance is available separately for nonmembers too.

 

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

AstonMartinVanquish_©AndyMorgan_025_copy_2.JPG

He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

Sign up for Design News newsletters

You May Also Like