Lands like a cat: Apple patents iPhone 'drop protection system' so it always lands face up

Apple has patented a protective mechanism that could shift the position of a falling device mid-air to make sure it lands safely on the floor.

17:41 04 December 2014

Apple has patented a system that can shift the iPhone after it has been dropped so its always lands face up. It uses the phone’s internal vibration motor, which usually provides vibration text alerts.

The patent has been granted by the US patent office this week.

In the patent document, the system was described as “protective mechanism for an electronic device.”

Using an accelerometer, gyroscope and GPS within the phone, the system can estimate how and where the phone might land. It also features more advanced protection elements including internal mechanism that can grip onto or eject headphone cables or tiny retractable air foils to help control landings.

The iPhone is notorious for the fragility of its screen when dropped in certain areas.

The proposed cat-like reflex system will compliment Apple’s plan to use stronger glass on the surface of iPhone screen.