At today’s iPhone 15 event, Apple announced a new feature called Roadside Assistance via Satellite. This feature is an add-on to Emergency SOS via Satellite and allows iPhone users to contact roadside assistance when they encounter car trouble in an area without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Roadside Assistance via Satellite is available for both iPhone 15 models and can also be retroactively accessed by iPhone 14 users. It is currently offered in the United States through a partnership with AAA. While the functionality is included in an AAA membership, Apple stated that iPhone users can also access it separately. The cost without an AAA membership was not specified, but AAA membership starts at $65 per year.

Similar to Emergency SOS via Satellite, users can text roadside assistance using this feature and select the specific issue they need help with. Examples demonstrated at the event included incidents like flat tires, lack of fuel, being locked out, vehicle being stuck, and the vehicle not starting.

When purchasing an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, Apple includes two years of free Emergency SOS via Satellite and Roadside Assistance via Satellite connectivity. However, it’s worth noting that for Roadside Assistance, users would need satellite connectivity and would have to pay an additional fee to AAA.

In addition to this announcement, it has been rumored that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro will feature a midframe made from Grade 5 titanium, resulting in a lighter overall device. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro could be up to 10 percent lighter than its predecessor.

Overall, the addition of Roadside Assistance via Satellite offers iPhone users a convenient solution for getting help in areas with limited connectivity, ensuring that they can receive assistance when needed.