Continental Automotive Systems also reaffirms its commitment by signing the
eCall MOU
FRANKFURT, Germany and GENEVA, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As
part of its global Telematics strategy, the Division Automotive Systems of
the global automotive supplier Continental AG announced today that it is
reaffirming its continued, active involvement in the development of a
standards-based emergency call (eCall) system by signing the eCall
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). During The International
Telecommunications Union's (ITU) "Fully Networked Car Event", which is
being held at the Geneva PALEXPO (Conference Center, Hall 1), Continental
Automotive Systems also is presenting a paper and an eCall demonstration.
The demonstration, which was developed in partnership with Airbiquity,
Swissphone and a major international mobile network operator, explores how
the companies could use existing technology to improve emergency response
times in the event of an accident and help reduce traffic fatalities across
Europe.
Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, president of Continental Automotive Systems
and member of the Executive Board, Continental AG signed the eCall MOU and
stated, "Continental believes that eCall is a critical European safety
initiative. We are committed to working with ERTICO, the eSafety Aware
Initiative and key stakeholders to help harmonize system requirements and
develop an eCall solution that best serves the needs of the European
market."
"Continental also is presenting its paper and the jointly developed
demo in direct response to the European Commission's request that urges
industry to renew its commitment to eCall," said Kieran O'Sullivan, senior
vice president of the Telematics Business Unit and member of the
Continental Automotive Systems Management Board. "We applaud the
Commission's resolve to work with the member states and industry on a
roll-out plan. Continental's collaboration on the demo is sign of its
continued involvement in uniting the telematics value chain to help
accelerate adoption of eCall by the industry."
The European Commission's eCall initiative is a pan-European proposal
that encourages Member States, Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs),
Automobile Manufactures, Mobile Network Operators, Service Providers and
Automotive Suppliers to collaborate to develop an in-vehicle automatic
crash notification system. These in-vehicle emergency call systems provide
a "wireless life-line" to emergency assistance in the critical seconds
after a crash occurs. eCall is expected to save an estimated 2,500 lives
and help reduce the 41,000 fatalities and 1.7 million injuries that happen
on European roadways each year.
The demonstration unveiled today by Continental, Airbiquity, Swissphone
and a major international mobile network operator transmits accident
information via a regular mobile communication network to an emergency call
center, which then alerts police and rescue services to the accident scene.
The technology ensures that essential accident data is sent along with the
voice connection, which provides injured persons a direct connection to
rescue services. Key elements of the demo include:
1. Utilizes existing hardware and software technologies adapted to quickly
demonstrate eCall;
2. Closely follows eCall Driving Group's recommendations for eCall
implementation;
3. Creates an end-to-end demonstration including Mobile Network Operator
(MNO) and Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) interfaces;
4. Allows specific performance criteria to be measured and different
technologies to be compared.
In addition, the paper presented highlights the societal benefits of
deploying a standards-based eCall system in Europe as well as potential
benefits to automakers, including:
1. How automakers can move quickly to cost-effectively implement an
approach to eCall with the ability to expand and evolve the system;
2. According to a Eurobarometer study on the citizen's perception of road
safety and intelligent vehicle safety systems, European consumers
consider eCall as one of the most wanted eSafety systems in the car,
and over 62% of the respondents say that they would like to have it in
their next car;
Currently, the (E112) eCall initiative sets forth the mandate that all
vehicles introduced in the pan-European region after September 2010 will
have the ability to transmit important accident data to authorities to help
facilitate an emergency response.
However, efforts to bring eCall to fruition have stalled prompting the
European Commission to enact a two-tier approach that includes focusing on
enhancing commitment of the Member States by mid-2007 and engaging industry
by the end of 2007, to help speed deployment.
Continental Automotive Systems' telematics and hands-free systems are
included in more than 12 million cars worldwide and already help
immediately route emergency assistance to the scene of accidents in Europe
and North America. Continental is committed to the roll-out of eCall across
Europe so its telematics systems can help save lives.
The Continental Corporation is a leading automotive supplier of brake
systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical
elastomers. In 2006 the corporation realized sales of euro 14.9 billion. At
present it has a worldwide workforce of around 85,000.
As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry,
the Automotive Systems Division of Continental AG integrates extensive
know-how and uncompromising quality in the fields of driving safety,
embedded telematics and hands-free communication systems, powertrain and
comfort. In 2006 the Division achieved sales of approximately euro 6
billion with a workforce of more than 30,000. Continental Automotive
Systems develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and
chassis control systems, electronic air suspension systems, sensors, engine
management and transmission control systems, hybrid drives, cooling fan
modules, body and security electronics and also is the industry leader of
embedded telematics and communication systems in vehicles.
SOURCE Continental AG
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Related links:
http://www.contiautomotive.com
http://www.conti-online.com http://www.contitevesna.com/
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CONTACT:
Sue Frederick, office: +1-248-393-5273,
mobile: +1-248-790- 7277, sue.frederick@us.contiautomoitve.com,
or Jim Gill, M.S., APR, office: +1-248-393-5210, mobile:
+1-248-882-6309, jim.gill@us.contiautomotive.com, both of
Continental AG
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