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Press release #Connected mobility
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Emergency Call System for Retrofitting

The Telematics eCall Plug from Bosch provides rapid assistance in the event of an accident

Doris Frisch

Doris Frisch

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Reutlingen – From March 31, 2018, the “eCall” European emergency call system is mandatory for all new cars in a new model series. This innovative technology saves people’s lives by automatically notifying the emergency services in the event of an accident. Older models and pre-owned cars that do not yet have the built-in system can now be easily and inexpensively upgraded with the Telematics eCall Plug (TEP).

On average, cars in Germany are 9.3 years old, which means that many car drivers will be dependent on retrofittable solutions for some time yet. According to calculations by the German Insurance Association (GDV), it will take almost ten years until even half of all cars will actually have an eCall on board. In an accident, however, this eCall can save crucial seconds: in many cases, the driver or passengers are seriously injured or are in shock, preventing them from summoning help by themselves. According to the GDV, the accident reporting service organized rapid assistance for 280 accidents last year alone, with more than 600 breakdown and accident reports coming into the car insurers’ emergency call center. At the heart of the emergency call system is a connector equipped with acceleration sensors for the cigarette lighter socket. The Telematics eCall plug works in combination with a smartphone app.

Retrofittable guardian angel

If the Telematics eCall Plug detects an accident, it sends information to the app on the smartphone, which connects to the connector via Bluetooth. Acceleration sensors and intelligent algorithms determine the severity of the collision. The app then automatically transmits this information in real time, along with the GPS data, via the smartphone to the GDV service center and establishes a voice connection between the vehicle and the emergency call response center. If the driver is unresponsive and the transferred data indicates a serious accident, the service center initiates rescue crew deployment immediately. The emergency call service doesn’t just help car drivers in the event of a serious accident, however. It can also be invaluable following bodywork damage or breakdowns: if the Telematics eCall Plug detects a low-velocity collision or if the car driver manually asks for assistance, direct contact can be established with the insurance company, which will advise on the next steps to be taken. Car owners wishing to upgrade their cars with the accident reporting service can obtain the connector directly from their car insurer for a low annual fee.

Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions GmbH was founded in 2013 and is a fully owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH. The company was set up to design, develop and market innovative connected devices and tailor-made solutions for the Internet of Things. Our competency in electronics, sensor technology and software enable new business models for global markets. Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions is headquartered in Reutlingen, Germany. In 2015 Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions opened offices in Chicago, USA and Shanghai, China, in 2016 a sales office in Singapore was opened.

For more information, go to www.bosch-connectivity.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 429,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). The company generated sales of 91.6 billion euros in 2023. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 90,000 associates in research and development, of which nearly 48,000 are software engineers.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com.

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