Apple has introduced a new roadside assistance service that utilizes satellite technology. The announcement came during the company’s “Wonderlust” event, where it also unveiled the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9. This service is an extension of the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that Apple introduced with the iPhone 14 last year.

The goal of this service is to provide assistance in situations where there is no cellular or Wi-Fi service available. Deniz Teoman, the vice president of hardware systems engineering at Apple, stated that the service is designed for times when individuals experience car troubles. It is important to note that roadside service is included with a AAA membership but can also be obtained separately for nonmembers.

To access the service, users will be able to text roadside assistance and indicate the type of help they require. Apple demonstrated this feature during the event using an iPhone screen, which displayed options such as “locked out,” “no fuel or charge,” and “flat tire.” According to Teoman, the interface is intuitive and will guide individuals to connect with a satellite and share their location information with a roadside assistance provider. The provider will then directly message the user and dispatch help equipped with the necessary tools to fix the problem.

This new satellite-based roadside assistance service expands the range of support that Apple offers to its customers. It provides a solution for those situations where traditional cellular or Wi-Fi networks are not accessible. This development aligns with Apple’s commitment to innovation and delivering convenient services to enhance the overall user experience.