Hard Disk Drives that Detects a Drop

The technology existed for quite a few years and with more vendors now adapting it, we can expect to see it as a standard offering on all make and models in another an year or two.

These hard drives can detect a sudden motion or drop with a built-in sensor. Not only they detect a drop but also park the read-write head of the hard disks in a safe zone to avoid damage due to shock received after the fall. The damage may mostly arise due to collision between the head and platters of the hard disk. This collision can be fatal and may result in physical damage and also loss of data.

The sensors measure axial acceleration by using an accelerometer which detects a drop [a free fall] and signals the hard disk to park its head [stop reading and writing] to avoid any damage to the head and platters. It does not make hard disks shock proof though.

The technology is already in use by Lenovo in its Laptops and other vendors are also working towards featuring this technology in their products. Hopefully, we should see all laptops shipping with hard disks equipped with this technology very soon.

Popular manufacturers who are already shipping this technology in their hard disk drives are Seagate and Samsung.