Automatic Emergency Call
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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.
Benefits
- ✓Significant reduction in emergency response time
- ✓Precise vehicle geolocation, even in remote areas
- ✓Automatic triggering even if occupants are unconscious
- ✓Improved safety and peace of mind for the driver and passengers
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What is automatic emergency call (eCall)?
Automatic emergency call, better known as the eCall system, is a safety equipment that has become an essential standard in the modern automotive industry. Its primary objective is to save lives by speeding up the arrival of emergency services at the scene of an accident. Since March 31, 2018, this device has been mandatory on all new models of cars and light commercial vehicles type-approved for sale within the European Union. It acts as a silent guardian, constantly watching over the safety of the vehicle's occupants.
How does this safety system work?
The operation of the automatic emergency call relies on a dual triggering capability, ensuring maximum efficiency under all circumstances.
- Automatic triggering: In the event of a severe collision, the sensors integrated into the vehicle (the same ones that control airbag deployment) detect the impact. The eCall system is then triggered instantly, without any human intervention. This is a crucial advantage when the occupants are unconscious, disoriented, or physically unable to place a call.
- Manual triggering: A physical button, clearly identified by the "SOS" acronym, is accessible in the passenger compartment, often located on the overhead console or center console. A simple press of this button allows the driver or a passenger to manually contact emergency services. This function is useful not only in the event of an accident, but also if an occupant falls ill or if you witness another accident on the road.
In both cases, the system establishes an audio connection with the European emergency call center (112) and transmits a set of vital data for a rapid and appropriate response.
What information is transmitted to emergency services?
When a call is placed, the eCall system sends a "Minimum Set of Data" (MSD) to the emergency dispatch center. This information packet is standardized to be understood by all emergency services across Europe. It contains:
- The exact GPS location of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
- The precise time of the triggering event.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- The fuel type (gasoline, diesel, electric), crucial information for firefighters to prevent the risk of secondary accidents.
- The direction the vehicle was traveling prior to impact.
- The number of seatbelts fastened at the time of the crash, providing an estimate of the number of passengers.
Simultaneously, a voice communication is established, allowing the operator to speak with the occupants if they are able to do so, in order to assess the situation in more detail.
A decisive advantage for safety
The integration of the automatic emergency call has proven its effectiveness. According to European Commission estimates, this system reduces emergency service response times by 50% in rural areas and by 40% in urban areas. This time saved is invaluable during the "golden hour"—the first hour following trauma—during which rapid medical intervention significantly increases survival rates and reduces the severity of injuries. It provides invaluable peace of mind, knowing that help will be dispatched quickly, even in the event of unconsciousness or if the accident occurs in an isolated, unmarked location.
Complementary safety technologies
The automatic emergency call is part of an active and passive safety ecosystem. It is often the final link in a chain that begins with systems such as autonomous emergency braking or forward collision warning, designed to prevent accidents. If a collision is unavoidable, the front and side airbags deploy to protect the occupants, and it is this deployment that triggers eCall. Together, these technologies form what is known as a safety pack, aimed at offering 360° protection.
Associated equipment
Safety Pack
The Safety Pack is a bundle of driver-assistance equipment and technologies (ADAS - Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) grouped together by car manufacturers to improve a vehicle's active and passive safety. Rather than offering these options individually, brands market them as a package, often at a more attractive price. The main objective is to prevent accidents by assisting the driver in critical situations and to reduce the severity of collisions when they are unavoidable. A typical Safety Pack includes features such as automatic emergency braking, which can detect pedestrians and cyclists, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The content and naming of these packs vary considerably from one manufacturer to another (e.g., Drive Assist Pack, Safety Plus Pack, etc.), but their purpose remains the same: to offer a higher level of protection for the driver, passengers, and other road users. These systems rely on a combination of sensors, radars, and cameras to continuously analyze the vehicle's surroundings and anticipate potential hazards.
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.
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.
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Warning, often referred to by the acronym FCW, is an active safety system designed to prevent or mitigate accidents involving frontal collisions. Using a combination of sensors such as radars, cameras, or LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mounted at the front of the vehicle, the system continuously monitors the road. It analyzes in real time the distance and relative speed of the vehicle ahead, as well as other potential obstacles such as pedestrians or cyclists. If the system detects a rapid decrease in distance and calculates an imminent risk of collision, it alerts the driver. These alerts can take several forms, often combined to maximize their effectiveness: a visual signal on the dashboard or head-up display, a shrill audible alert, and sometimes a vibration in the steering wheel or a brief brake jolt (haptic alert). This system is a crucial first line of defense, giving the driver valuable extra reaction time to brake or perform an evasive maneuver. It is often the precursor and essential complement to the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system, which can intervene if the driver fails to react to the alert.
e-Call System
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.