e-Call System
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The e-Call (Emergency Call) system is an onboard active safety device that has been mandatory in the European Union for all new car models homologated since March 31, 2018. Its primary objective is to reduce emergency services response times in the event of a severe road accident. The system is designed to automatically place an emergency call to the single European emergency number 112 as soon as a severe impact is detected by the vehicle's sensors, particularly those related to airbag deployment. It can also be activated manually by an occupant via an SOS button, usually located near the overhead console. Once the call is initiated, the system establishes a voice communication with an emergency call center and simultaneously transmits a crucial Minimum Set of Data (MSD). This includes the vehicle's precise geolocation, fuel type, direction of travel, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This automation is vital because it allows emergency services to be alerted even if the passengers are unconscious or unable to communicate, ensuring a faster and more effective response that can save lives.
Benefits
- ✓Significant reduction in emergency services response time.
- ✓Automatic transmission of the precise GPS location of the accident.
- ✓Works even if the vehicle occupants are unconscious or disoriented.
- ✓Manual activation possible to report an accident or medical emergency.
Learn more
What is the eCall system?
The eCall system, short for "Emergency Call", is an automated emergency call device integrated into vehicles. Made mandatory by European legislation since March 31, 2018, for all new types of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, it represents a major advancement in road safety. Its role is simple yet fundamental: in the event of a severe accident, it automatically alerts the nearest emergency services, providing them with essential information for a rapid and targeted intervention. This technological guardian angel is designed to operate throughout the entire territory of the European Union, 24/7, without requiring a specific subscription.
How does the eCall system work?
The operation of eCall relies on a synergy between several electronic components of the vehicle. It can be triggered in two different ways:
Automatic activation: Sensors integrated into the vehicle, such as accelerometers and airbag deployment sensors, detect a violent impact characteristic of an accident. Instantly, the eCall system initiates a call to the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) via the pan-European 112 emergency number. This automation is crucial when occupants are unconscious or unable to make the call themselves.
Manual activation: A button, often labeled "SOS" and protected by a flap to prevent accidental activation, is available to the occupants. A simple press of this button allows manual contact with emergency services. This function is useful not only in the event of an accident, but also if the driver or a passenger falls ill, or to report another accident they witness.
When a call is placed, the system does not simply establish a voice connection. It simultaneously transmits a "Minimum Set of Data" (MSD), which includes:
The exact GPS location of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
The direction of travel (particularly useful on highways).
The time of the accident.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
The type of fuel used (to anticipate specific fire risks).
This information allows emergency services to save precious time, assess the situation in advance, and dispatch the appropriate resources to the exact location.
Proven safety equipment
The introduction of eCall is far from a gimmick. According to European Commission estimates, this system reduces emergency response times by 50% in rural areas and 40% in urban areas. This rapid intervention speed is a decisive factor for survival and the reduction of injury severity, particularly during the "golden hour", the first hour following trauma. By alerting emergency services even when no one else can, eCall directly contributes to saving hundreds of lives every year on European roads. It also provides invaluable peace of mind to the driver and passengers, knowing that help will be automatically notified in the event of a major issue.
eCall, bCall, and connected services
It is important not to confuse eCall, which is a public safety service, with other call services offered by manufacturers. "bCall" (Breakdown Call) is an assistance call in the event of a breakdown, connecting the user to the brand's roadside assistance service. Other concierge services may also exist. While these services are useful, only eCall is a European-standardized system, free of charge, and directly connected to public emergency services (medical emergency services, firefighters, police). It operates via an integrated dedicated SIM card, independent of any personal mobile phone subscription.
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Associated equipment
ESP
ESP, or Electronic Stability Program, is an essential active safety system in modern vehicles, also known as Electronic Stability Control. Its primary role is to keep the vehicle on the trajectory intended by the driver, by preventing loss of grip and skidding. To do this, the ESP uses a series of sensors (wheel speed, steering wheel angle, lateral acceleration, yaw) that continuously analyze the consistency between the direction desired by the driver and the actual behavior of the car. If a discrepancy is detected, signaling the onset of understeer (the front wheels skid) or oversteer (the rear wheels skid), the system intervenes in a fraction of a second. It independently brakes one or more wheels and can also reduce engine power to bring the vehicle back onto the correct trajectory. Mandatory on all new vehicles sold in Europe since 2014, ESP is an electronic guardian angel that significantly increases safety during emergency avoidance maneuvers, in tight corners, or on slippery surfaces (rain, snow, ice). It works in synergy with other aids such as ABS and ASR (traction control).
Embedded SIM
The embedded SIM, often called an eSIM, is an electronic chip soldered directly onto the motherboard of a vehicle's infotainment system. Unlike a traditional removable SIM card, it is permanent and cannot be removed. Its role is to provide autonomous cellular connectivity to the vehicle, allowing it to connect to mobile networks (4G/LTE, or even 5G) without requiring a smartphone or external device. This technology is the cornerstone of the connected car services ecosystem. It enables the vehicle to communicate continuously with the manufacturer's servers and third-party service providers. Thanks to it, the driver benefits from navigation with real-time traffic information, access to online applications (weather, music streaming), and crucial safety features such as automatic emergency calling (eCall). It is also essential for Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates, which can improve not only the multimedia system but also the vehicle's performance and safety. The embedded SIM thus transforms the car into a connected, upgradable, and intelligent object.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), also known as AFU in French, is an active safety system designed to help the driver achieve maximum braking force in critical situations. This system continuously analyzes the speed and force with which the driver presses the brake pedal. If it detects a rapid and sudden action, characteristic of panic braking, the EBA interprets that the driver intends to stop immediately. It then instantly and automatically increases the pressure in the brake circuit up to the ABS activation threshold, even if the driver has not pressed the pedal to the floor. The primary objective is to compensate for the human reflex of often failing to brake with sufficient force in an emergency. By guaranteeing optimal deceleration from the very first moments, EBA significantly reduces stopping distances, thereby potentially avoiding a collision or drastically reducing its severity. This system works in perfect synergy with ABS (which prevents wheel lock-up) and ESP (which maintains vehicle trajectory), forming an essential trio for modern active safety.
Automatic Emergency Call
The automatic emergency call, also known as the eCall system, is an in-vehicle safety technology designed to automatically alert emergency services in the event of a severe accident. Mandatory on all new vehicle types type-approved in the European Union since March 31, 2018, this device aims to reduce response times and, consequently, the severity of injuries and the number of fatalities on the roads. The system triggers autonomously when the vehicle's sensors, such as those for the airbags, detect a severe impact. It can also be activated manually by the driver or a passenger via an SOS button, usually located near the overhead console. Once activated, the system establishes voice communication with the nearest emergency call center (number 112) and simultaneously transmits a minimum set of data, including the vehicle's precise GPS location, the time of the accident, the direction of travel, and the vehicle identification number. This transmission of information allows emergency responders to quickly locate the accident scene, even if the occupants are unconscious or unable to communicate their position.
Frontal airbags
Frontal airbags are a fundamental passive safety feature in modern vehicles. Designed to protect the driver and front passenger in the event of a frontal or near-frontal collision, they are an integral part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Their function is to deploy in a fraction of a second to create a cushioning pad between the occupant and the rigid parts of the cabin, such as the steering wheel or dashboard. The system is activated by sensors (accelerometers) that detect sudden and sharp deceleration, which is characteristic of an impact. An electronic control unit analyzes these signals and, if the crash is deemed sufficiently severe, triggers a pyrotechnic gas generator. This produces a large amount of gas (primarily harmless nitrogen) that inflates the nylon bag in less than 50 milliseconds. Modern frontal airbags are often adaptive (dual-stage or multi-stage), adjusting their deployment force based on the severity of the crash, seat position, or even the occupant's weight. They are designed to work in synergy with the seatbelt, which remains the primary restraint device.