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Mandatory eCall device. What is it and how does it work
Dino Collazzo
New vehicles registered after March 31 will have to be equipped with a standard satellite tracking device capable of sending an emergency call alerting the closest rescue team in the event of an accident. Older models could adopt a universal eCall kit
From now on, European vehicle approval will also depend on the presence onboard of an eCall device. As of April 1, 2018 European institutions have made the adoption, by all manufacturers, of an automatic emergency call in the event of an accident, compulsory. Therefore, if a driver is unable to operate it, because immobilized or unconscious, the system will promptly alert the closest medical team and police station.
The mandatory introduction of eCall technology is a further step forward towards improving road safety. According to an estimate by the European Commission, the on-board presence of an Emergency Call will reduce the number of deaths on EU roads by about 10%, which means saving about 2,500 lives each year. Not to mention that response time could also be reduced by about 50 percent: fundamental in reducing the number of victims on our roads, currently in the region of 25,500 people, and serious injuries (about 135 thousand).
The emergency call device – which will contact the European emergency number 112 -, will mostly be found next to the vehicle’s dome light and comes with two modes of operation: manual, driver or passenger press the button and ask for assistance in the event of an accident or sudden illness, and automatic. In the latter case, the call is made when the vehicle’s sensors detect a strong deceleration or safety devices, such as airbags, springing into action. As a whole, the system consists of a mobile radio with data connectivity, a GPS sensor and a SIM card. In the event of a crash, or a vehicle going off the road, or even just a breakdown, the system automatically sends a distress call notifying not only the position of the vehicle but also the time, direction, type of vehicle, fuel type, number plate, number of passengers and whether they are unconsciousness or not.
Although not mandatory, as is the case with newly registered vehicles, it is also possible to install an eCall device on older cars too. In this case, thanks to a kit available in an aftermarket version, any vehicle can now be equipped with an emergency call device. To activate it, all is needed is to simply connect it to the cigarette lighter or a 12-volt power outlet. The device works via an integrated accelerometer and is connected via blue-tooth to the driver's smartphone entrusted with making the emergency call.
The mandatory introduction of eCall technology is a further step forward towards improving road safety. According to an estimate by the European Commission, the on-board presence of an Emergency Call will reduce the number of deaths on EU roads by about 10%, which means saving about 2,500 lives each year. Not to mention that response time could also be reduced by about 50 percent: fundamental in reducing the number of victims on our roads, currently in the region of 25,500 people, and serious injuries (about 135 thousand).
The emergency call device – which will contact the European emergency number 112 -, will mostly be found next to the vehicle’s dome light and comes with two modes of operation: manual, driver or passenger press the button and ask for assistance in the event of an accident or sudden illness, and automatic. In the latter case, the call is made when the vehicle’s sensors detect a strong deceleration or safety devices, such as airbags, springing into action. As a whole, the system consists of a mobile radio with data connectivity, a GPS sensor and a SIM card. In the event of a crash, or a vehicle going off the road, or even just a breakdown, the system automatically sends a distress call notifying not only the position of the vehicle but also the time, direction, type of vehicle, fuel type, number plate, number of passengers and whether they are unconsciousness or not.
Although not mandatory, as is the case with newly registered vehicles, it is also possible to install an eCall device on older cars too. In this case, thanks to a kit available in an aftermarket version, any vehicle can now be equipped with an emergency call device. To activate it, all is needed is to simply connect it to the cigarette lighter or a 12-volt power outlet. The device works via an integrated accelerometer and is connected via blue-tooth to the driver's smartphone entrusted with making the emergency call.
