Smartwatches Could Face Loss Of Fall Detection Features

The wearable technology market is currently facing a significant legal challenge that could impact some of the most popular devices available to consumers. A Texas company known as UnaliWear has filed a formal complaint alleging that major industry players are using its patented technology without permission. This legal action targets tech giants Apple and Google as well as Samsung and Garmin regarding their fall detection systems. The United States International Trade Commission has officially opened an investigation into these allegations as of January 2026. If the commission rules in favor of the plaintiff it could lead to an import ban on several widely used smartwatches.

UnaliWear is the manufacturer of the Kanega Watch which is a safety device specifically designed for older adults who need reliable monitoring. The company claims that the defendants have infringed on its proprietary technology known as RealFall. This specific system utilizes artificial intelligence to accurately distinguish between a genuine fall and common daily movements. The ability to filter out false alarms is a critical component of modern medical alert systems. According to the lawsuit the accused companies have implemented similar methods in their own wearable products to solve the same problem of false positives.

The legal dispute centers around two specific patents which are United States Patent 10,140,836 and Patent 10,403,115. These documents cover machine learning techniques that improve the accuracy of fall detection sensors found in wrist-worn devices. The plaintiff argues that the inclusion of these features in consumer smartwatches violates their intellectual property rights. They have requested a limited exclusion order from the trade commission which would block the importation of infringing devices into the United States. Such a ban would affect millions of potential customers who rely on these health features for personal safety.

While an immediate ban is not guaranteed the threat of such an action provides UnaliWear with substantial leverage during negotiations. Major companies often choose to settle these types of disputes through licensing agreements rather than risking a disruption in their supply chains. The investigation process at the International Trade Commission is known for moving much faster than standard district court litigation. A decision could be reached relatively quickly compared to traditional lawsuits which often drag on for years. This timeline puts pressure on Apple and the other defendants to address the claims promptly.

This situation highlights the growing tension between specialized medical device manufacturers and general consumer electronics companies. Features that were once exclusive to dedicated medical alerts are now standard in devices like the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch series. The outcome of this case could force a change in how these health monitoring features are implemented in future hardware. Consumers might see a temporary removal of functionality or an increase in device costs to cover licensing fees. The industry is watching closely to see if the big tech firms will fight the validity of the patents or seek a settlement.

Please share your thoughts on this patent dispute in the comments.