Skip to main content

Success of first eCall tests in Greece

Greece has successfully completed the first tests of its automatic emergency call system, eCall, within the framework of the eCall pilot national research project, a European initiative intended to bring rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the European Union. eCall uses a device installed in vehicles that will automatically dial 112 (the pre-assigned European emergency number) in the event of a road accident and wirelessly send airbag deployment, impact sensor information and G
October 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Greece has successfully completed the first tests of its automatic emergency call system, eCall, within the framework of the eCall pilot national research project, a European initiative intended to bring rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the 1816 European Union.

eCall uses a device installed in vehicles that will automatically dial 112 (the pre-assigned European emergency number) in the event of a road accident and wirelessly send airbag deployment, impact sensor information and GPS coordinates to local emergency services.

The eCall project in Greece aims to implement and demonstrate a national pilot application for the system. The system will automatically notify the emergency services of vehicle accident via mobile telecommunication networks, and complying with the same technical standards and with the same Quality of Service across Europe.

The eCall project is coordinated by 374 Ertico's partner organisation, the 5987 Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), with the participation of mobile network operator Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications and software and electronics supplier 6642 Space Hellas. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by national resources under the 2007-2013 NSRF and the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship (OPC II) framework.

The tests were carried out on a prototype system using a research vehicle; emergency calls were routed from the ICCS in-vehicle system (IVS), through the Cosmote mobile telecommunication network to the public safety answering point (PSAP), which was installed by Space Hellas.

According to the EU, eCall cuts emergency services response time down to 50% in rural areas and 60% in urban areas. The quicker response will save hundreds of lives in the EU every year, and the severity of injuries will be considerably reduced in tens of thousands of cases.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • European fast charger project launched
    December 18, 2014
    The launch of the European Ten-T European Long-Distance Electric Clean Transport Road Infrastructure Corridor (Electric) which is co-funded by the EU and supports the installation of a corridor of high-quality fast chargers along key European motorways until the end of 2015, aims to accelerate electric vehicle uptake in the involved member states. Its focus is on interoperability, sustainable infrastructure setup and network planning and infrastructure deployment. The aim of the project is be to create a
  • Tri-nation cooperation on C-ITS Corridor
    June 20, 2016
    In the European C-ITS Corridor project, authorities from three countries are working with the automotive industry on the deployment of Cooperative (V2X) Systems. Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems/Services (C-ITS) has the potential to improve road safety, transport efficiency and environmentally friendly mobility, as well as creating additional services and new business models. A set of international standards have been developed to provide the technical basis for the deployment of Cooperative ITS.
  • New constellation will add accuracy and security to GNSS services
    December 20, 2013
    With Galileo’s early services scheduled to start next year, Fiammetta Diani is enthusiastic about the opportunities the EU’s GNSS system will offer. Next year will be a very exciting one for Galileo, the EU’s fledgling satellite constellation; additional satellites are scheduled for launch and, as European Commission Vice President Tajani recently announced, early operational services will be starting towards the end of 2014. So it really is ‘all systems go’ as Fiammetta Diani, market development officer in
  • European tunnel safety steps up a gear
    September 19, 2017
    David Crawford reviews the latest safety systems installed in European tunnels. Blueprints for the safer road tunnels of the future are emerging fast as European operators invest in technologies to enhance travellers’ prospects of surviving an accident. Central to modern emergency planning is the principle that, following an incident, drivers should be enabled to rescue themselves and their passengers with the aid of prompt and correct identification and communication of the hazard. Roles for cooperativ