---
title: "Bizarre Apple Patent Describes Self-Aware AirPods"
description: "Apple filed a patent for AirPods that can automatically adjust volume in your ears based on location. Learn more about this tech innovation."
date: "2020-08-12"
modified: "2020-08-19"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/apple-patent-self-aware-airpods"
categories:
  - "Artificial Intelligence"
tags:
  - "airpods"
  - "apple"
  - "the digest"
  - "wearables"
---

# Bizarre Apple Patent Describes Self-Aware AirPods

![Apple filed a patent describing AirPods that can automatically adjust volume in either ear based on where you are and what you're up to.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/apple-patent-self-aware-airpods.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Image via Wallpaper Flare/Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Self-Correcting

Apple just filed a patent that would make AirPods a whole lot more self-aware.

Not in a "this is how the AI revolution starts" way, mind you. At least, we don't think so. Rather, [as *Business Insider* reports](<https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-airpods-contextual-audio-feature-patent-2020-8>), the tech would give AirPods — technically [the patent](<http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10743095.PN.&OS=PN/10743095&RS=PN/10743095>) mentions a "wearable audio device" but, come on, let's be real, it's AirPods — the ability to automatically adjust volume and audio balance based on where you are and what you're doing.

## Mic Check

The system would try to figure out what you're up to based on your location and the noises around you and adjust audio accordingly, *BI* reports.

For instance, if you're walking down a sidewalk, it might turn down the volume on whatever ear is closer to the street — presumably so you don't wander into traffic — while leaving the other ear's volume unchanged.

## Big Maybe

As always, filing a patent is never an indication that a tech company is actually going to develop a product. [Companies like Apple](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/apple-patent-detect-poisonous-gases>) file [unusual patents](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/bizarre-ford-patent-filter-rideshare-cars-smell>) that they [never plan to pursue](<https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/amazon-sony-facebook-strange-patents.html>) all the time, either to claim intellectual property or just in case it someday becomes useful.

So will we see unusually-smart AirPods in the future? Maybe, but there are no guarantees that this was anything more than an engineer's fever dream put to legal paper.

**READ MORE:** [Apple has an idea that could make future AirPods much smarter about sensing your surroundings](<https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-airpods-contextual-audio-feature-patent-2020-8>) \[*Business Insider*\]

**More on tech patents:** *[Apple Is Working on Tech That'd Let Your Phone Detect Poison](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/apple-patent-detect-poisonous-gases>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)