Just curious, does anyone routinely use People Detection?

I use people detection all the time. Along with hundreds of super-commuters, I take Amtrak for the first 90 minutes of my trip to work. Lots of sighted do-gooders seem to think I will require assistance boarding the trains for whatever reason, however once we're on the train and hunting for empty seats, it's astounding how quiet those same people can become. I prefer a row to myself when I can get it, and I'm always interested in finding a window seat, preferably not at a table, on the upper level. Commuters are like little kids, they get their spots and then, not a peep out of them until it's time to disembark, when they all cluster around the door like first graders at the end of a long school day. They just have their grown-up clothes on... Suffice it to say that finding an empty seat can be challenging, especially at 5:30 in the morning. On the platform, everybody wants to offer assistance to the blind person whether they need it or not, until, (gasp), that blind person, might actually wind up sitting next to them, so they sit super quietly and hope I'll pass on by. I get it, we all want rows to ourselves, me included. When they get quiet like that, however, they don't realize the disservice they do themselves; the ones who make, even a bit of noise let me know there's someone sitting there, so I keep going. Those poor people holding their breath, however, only get their wish after I've confirmed that their seat is occupied. Usually I will reach with my cane and end up touching their foot, my first indicator that there's a living? person in that spot. Sometimes they aren’t paying attention, maybe they're looking at their phones or laptops, many have headphones on and I end up scaring the crap out of them. Now, people detection has made the process a thousand times easier! I use my phone in a crossbody case with a long strap, and just hold it in my hand when I need it. I do this to prevent the theft which frequently occurs in the city, and it's a workable solution but unfortunately it isn't hands-free.. Once I begin looking for a seat, I simply triple-tap with 4 fingers, hold the phone in portrait mode, and turn my wrist as discretely as I can. The trouble comes when I want to look on both sides of the aisle. If I turn the phone too quickly, I get the warning to slow down. This is a balancing act as I must keep walking to prevent holding up the people coming behind me. Everyone is on a single-minded mission to get a spot and disappear into whatever it is they will do on their way to work. This people detection feature means I don't ever need to inadvertently touch a stranger with my cane, and I love that. It allows me to verify when the entire row is empty, as opposed to just an aisle seat, and I can do it from a respectful distance. I do have to be standing beside the row of seats to aim the camera accurately, unfortunately I can't peruse the entire car from the doorway but just being able to tell where they are is hugely helpful! I use it on the subway as well, for the same purpose. Often times, people will have their backs to me and never see me coming. The last thing I want to do is come up on someone unexpectedly, simply because they're standing around in a crowded station and I don't realize where they are. When waiting in line on the platform or going through fare gates, people detection also lets me know when the person in front of me has either stepped forward or off to the side to let the line advance. I much prefer using my camera over touching strangers unnecessarily with my cane. I don't appreciate unnecessary contact so I'm sure they don't like it much, either. Not sure how much I'll use door detection when it drops but I'm excited to play with it. I never expected to make so much use of people detection when it showed up a couple of years ago, but I use it all the time. My other half likes to nap on the living room couch and sometimes I'll come home to find the TV on, but no human. People detection lets me know he's asleep so I don't have to go over and touch that surface to see if someone is there, an act which will wake him up for sure. It's a small thing, but surprisingly useful. My only gripe is my need to hold the phone in my hand while walking, something I never advise unless the phone is secured by some sort of tether--a lanyard, wrist strap, shoulder or chest mount—just something so a passing pedestrian can't snag it, a thing which happens frequently to sighted and blind travelers alike. Anyway, sorry for the length but this is one of my favorite things about the iPhone’s camera, something which truly helps me with navigation almost every day, and not a feature I hear many people discuss very often. I expect strangers to observe my unspoken three-foot rule out of courtesy, and now I have the autonomy to do the same. I really like that. It also means I don't always have to speak to others to obtain information about my environment, unless I wish to do so. I recognize not everyone is such a fan of social distancing with people they don't know, but for me, it helps me give the same respect to those around me that I expect in return.

Thanks for that. I haven’t tried it yet as I still have an 11 pro max but getting 14 pro max in a couple of weeks. Obviously LiDAR will make this feature really useable but any tips? Which phone are you using now? If 12 pro or pro max I’m guessing the 14 will identify people and distance quicker maybe if you’re using 13 it won’t be such a difference but you mensioned you have to move your phone quite slowly?