Not yet commercialised

From 2015 onwards all new cars should be equipped with "eCall" which is expected to save up to 2500 lives in the European Union each year. As eCall will also mean speedier treatment of injured people, there will in consequence also be better recovery prospects for accident victims.

Research and regulations go hand in hand to transform innovative ICT in services allowing to save lives.

PRINCIPLE

When a car fitted with eCall senses a major impact in an accident, the eCall device automatically calls the nearest emergency centre and transmits a set of data. The rapidity with which rescue services are mobilized is of outmost importance for saving lives or reducing the effects of injuries. eCall can dramatically reduce the response time of the emergency services.

EXPLANATION

For that reason, the eCall is linked to another initiative of the Commission, 112, the single European emergency number. eCall can either be generated manually by the occupants of the vehicle, or automatically by sensors' activation situated inside the vehicle.

The in-vehicle eCall directly establishes a 112-voice connection with the relevant Public Service Answering Point (PSAP), and sends crucial information such as time and location of the accident, and a description of the vehicle involved. The information sent to the PSAP may also include a link to a potential Service Provider by including its IP address and phone number. If the user has subscribed to a Service Provider, additional information can be sent from the service provider to the PSAP.

As 112, eCall is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the industry which involved public authorities, car manufacturers, ICT companies and the European emergency centres.

Visit the 112 website : The single European emergency number

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Choose your car technology

• During ITS Lyon 2011, Hungary signed the eCall Memorandum of Understanding
• From April 7, 2011 eSafety is called iMobility