BMW is launching an optional “Intelligent Emergency Call” system, which is intended to get help to the accident or emergency scene as fast as possible. Research has shown that in the event of an accident, a vehicle-integrated eCall system can make a big difference in response time – up to 40 to 50 percent faster.
The European Commission in charge of the trial on which these findings are based estimates that an eCall system could save up to 2,500 lives every year; also saving €26 billion in the process.
BMW was the first manufacturer to use eCall in Europe in its cars in 1999. In 2007, the BMW Group extended this safety system by establishing an intelligent and cross-border call centre infrastructure. From 2018, eCall will become mandatory for all new cars, and the company says that thanks to the synergy effects with its automotive division, the system is expected to be available for motorcycles the first time, as an option, from beginning of 2017.
In the case of an emergency or an accident, the intelligent eCall system, which is either automatically or manually triggered, sends out the position data, i.e. the coordinates of the motorcycle accident site, to the qualified BMW Call Centre to initiate the rescue chain. The current position, as well as information for determining the direction of travel, are transmitted to simplify locating the motorcyclist in hard-to-find locations such as motorway junctions.
eCall requires a connection to the mobile phone network in order to trigger the rescue chain. In the “intelligent emergency call” option, the connection is established via the permanently installed mobile communication unit. For the connection no specific mobile operator is required. All that is necessary is at least one operational mobile provider. The service will be made available in all European countries.
The emergency call is automatically triggered without time delay, sending a message to a qualified BMW Call Centre. The accident victim/rider is taken care of by the BMW Call Centre via audio connection until the emergency service arrives. Help is sent out in any case, even if there is no response. A display in the instrument cluster shows that the eCall has been initiated. An acoustic signal is also set off. In this case the rider cannot cancel the emergency call any more.
In this case the emergency call is only triggered after 25 seconds before sending a message to the BMW Call Centre. If no help is necessary after only a non-serious accident, the accident victim/rider has the opportunity of cancelling the emergency call at the press of a button. If the rider does not cancel, the rescue chain is initiated. A display in the instrument cluster shows that the eCall has been initiated. An acoustic signal is also set off.
The eCall can be triggered manually by pressing the SOS button on the right handlebar end, for example for calling help for other road users in need. A message is sent to the BMW Call Centre and a voice connection is established. A voice connection is mandatory if the eCall was triggered manually before further measures are initiated. Here too, the accident victim/rider is also given the opportunity to cancel the emergency call at the press of a button or by turning off the ignition. The intelligent emergency call can only be triggered manually when the motorcycle is stationary with the ignition on.
The emergency call is not triggered automatically in non-emergency situations - e.g. if the bike falls over in a stationary position or in accidents at low speeds with no other traffic user involved, a shock to the bike when riding over a pothole or while off-road riding (e.g. small jumps or riding over obstructions).
The “intelligent emergency call” option is located on the right side of the handlebar and is both ergonomic and compact. In addition to the cover-protected SOS button used for triggering or cancelling an emergency call, a microphone and loudspeaker have also been integrated.
Sensors on the motorcycle detect which event occurred. A crash sensor detects events such as collisions with another vehicle or crashing into an obstruction. A banking angle sensor detects high and low-siders, i.e. which position the motorcycle is in.
The intelligent emergency call system constitutes a premium service with international coverage. When a voice connection is made, the rider can communicate with the BMW Call Centre in his native language. This is a stand-alone feature, which is highly effective in an emergency situation. The optional “intelligent emergency call” will be rolled out in Germany first and then also introduced quickly in further European markets and models.
