Emergency services have found a seriously injured driver after the driver’s car called 911. The car had the emergency call system eCall, but what is that exactly?
From March 2018 all over Europe it will be mandatory for new cars to have a built-in emergency call system, also known as eCall (emergency call). The system is similar to a built-in mobile phone with a GPS. This allows a connection to be made with an emergency service’s control room and an accurate location can be passed on. The system is activated automatically in the event of an accident, but can also be operated manually. All 112 exchanges in the European Union work with eCall.
When will eCall be enabled?
eCall is in contact with sensors in the airbags, for example. Immediately after the accident, the telephone connection with the emergency room is started and three locations are sent, so that the direction of the car can be determined. The type of vehicle and the type of fuel are also passed on. Depending on the choice of the manufacturer, the number of occupants is also determined, based on the number of seat belts that are fastened.
Drivers can activate eCall themselves by pressing an emergency button. This is possible in the event of an accident to which the system does not respond or when a motorist wants to make a report for someone else. In the latter case, the motorist must remain on site until the emergency services arrive. eCall should not be used in a non-life-threatening accident or car breakdown.
Does eCall work anytime, anywhere?
The connection required to enable eCall works the same as a mobile phone connection. A good connection is therefore important, but providers monitor this closely. Should there nevertheless be a disruption, the call will be treated as a regular 112 report instead of an eCall report. In addition, the system is dependent on properly functioning equipment in the car itself. This is always checked with an APK.
What systems are there?
There are two types of eCall systems. The most well-known system is Pan European eCall, a free system that makes direct contact with the 112 emergency center. This variant is included in the cars released after March 2018. The costs for using eCall are included in the purchase price of the car.
The second system is Third Party Service (TPS) eCall. This system is provided by the car manufacturers themselves and the emergency call first goes to the emergency center where the car manufacturer has a contract. It will be checked whether help is needed. If this is the case, the report will be forwarded to the 112 emergency centre. This system sometimes prohibits costs. Car owners can choose for themselves which system they want to use.
Can you also build eCall in your car yourself?
No, as far as we know it is not possible to build an emergency call system in your car yourself. eCall is connected to important parts of a car and is therefore only installed in new(er) cars (cars purchased after March 2018).
How does eCall handle privacy?
Data is only sent after the accident. So it is not the case that everyone can track your car via eCall. After an accident, only the necessary information is sent. The data collected may not be stored or sold.
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