eCall

eCall is an in-vehicle emergency call system developed in the European Union to automatically notify emergency services in the event of a serious road traffic collision and to provide essential data to speed response. The system can be triggered automatically by crash sensors or manually by occupants pressing an eCall button. When activated, it places a call to the European emergency number 112 and transmits a standardized minimum set of data to the public safety answering point (PSAP). The data typically includes the time of the crash, the vehicle’s location, the vehicle identification number, direction of travel, and whether airbags or seat belts were deployed, along with the number of occupants if available. A voice channel is established if possible so the PSAP operator can gather additional information; if voice cannot be established, the call remains data-driven and the PSAP can respond using the location data alone.

eCall uses the vehicle’s built-in telematics and the mobile network to route the call to the local PSAP anywhere within the EU and some associated countries. The data are transmitted through secure channels and are designed to be interoperable across national emergency services. The system is intended to function even when the occupants cannot respond verbally. Manufacturers typically install eCall hardware in new vehicles as part of EU-wide road-safety initiatives.

Regulatory and deployment aspects have established eCall as a standard feature in many new type-approved vehicles in the European Union, with ongoing expansion and updates to support broader interoperability and privacy safeguards. The technology has influenced similar in-vehicle emergency systems outside Europe and continues to evolve with advances in mobile networks and positioning accuracy.