Google is turning the Android platform into a global earthquake detection network that is powered via smartphones. The system is in its nascent stages and was first rolled out today, with The Verge reporting on it.

Android users can opt in for the program which will basically utilize the accelerometer found in your smartphone, to become one data point for an algorithm that can detect earthquakes. What Google hopes is that, when the network gets large enough, people would automatically receive warning messages regarding a possible earthquake impacting their region.

The system is made possible with a large number of Android smartphones scattered across the globe along with a smart algorithm that intelligently utilizes the data it receives. This entire network showcases the fact that smartphones have a lot more passive practical uses to offer. This was also highlighted in previously tested car crash detection and emergency location services systems.

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At the moment, Google is rolling this out in small stages. It will be teaming up with the United States Geological Survey and the California Office of Emergency Services within the state. These alerts are currently being generated by the already existing ShakeAlert system that utilizes data generated from conventional seismometers. According to Marc Stogaitis, lead Google Android software engineer, the use of Android aims to fill in the areas where seismometers cannot cover due to expensive costs to set up and maintain.

“We figured out [Android phones are] sensitive enough to detect earthquake waves. As an earthquake wave goes through, they’re able to detect them and usually see both key types of waves, the P wave and the S wave,” said Stogaitis. In other words, your Android device can act as a “mini seismometer” using the accelerometer. The feature is only active when the device is plugged in to help save battery and even gives out helpful tips and actions to be performed under emergency.

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The post Google is making Android a Global Earthquake Detection Network appeared first on Gizmochina.

Back in September, we reported that Xiaomi was going to add ‘Earthquake Warning’ alerts in its upcoming MIUI 11 OS. Looks like the company is finally starting to make that happen. At this week’s developer’s conference held in Beijing, China, Xiaomi confirmed that it has started to roll out the ‘Earthquake warning’ feature to select users in Sichuan, China using MIUI OS. The company plans to roll it out on a wider scale throughout China soon.

Xiaomi says that smartphones running MIUI 11 and even Mi TVs could be notified “seconds to tens of seconds” before the earthquake hits the place. The idea is to give users a few seconds of a headstart in order to better protect themselves before the actual earthquake. Also, the alert could also provide information about the nearest emergency shelter, emergency contact details, medical contacts, and the rescue information to help in a critical situation.

Xiaomi’s Earthquake Warning alert was first trialed back in September and has been developed in partnership with the Chengdu based Institue of Care-life. As of now, it looks like the feature would be limited to China. But eventually, Xiaomi could tie-up with more organizations and alert its millions of smartphones running MIUI internationally as well.

You can read more about the features of MIUI 11 from here.

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