SCHUBERTH NEWS
October 1, 2012
Schuberth introduces the first automatic emergency call and location system for motorcyclists
Premiere: "RiderEcall by Schuberth“
MAGDEBURG/COLOGNE, 1st October 2012. Schuberth has developed the world's first electronic emergency call and location system for motorcyclists. The new system will be presented to the public for the first time on the occasion of the INTERMOT Motorcycle fair as "RiderEcall by Schuberth". The GPS-based emergency call system consists of a motorcycle and a helmet unit equipped with a total of five sensors. Thus accidents can be recognised automatically, emergency calls sent immediately and appropriate measures of help initiated immediately and precisely. The system can be used not just with Schuberth helmets but with helmets from almost all manufacturers. The whole security comfort package includes a subscription of 24 months, which can be extended at the end for additional 24 month periods. The RiderEcall will be available from retail specialists starting January 2013 on. The price will be announced shortly.
The problem
Motorcyclists are exposed to disproportionately greater risks and dangers than car drivers in road traffic. While in recent years it has been possible to improve active and passive safety in automobile technology consistently by introducing assistance systems, motorcyclists have rarely benefitted from this. One of these smart innovations has been what is known as E-Call Emergency Assist, which has already been introduced into medium- and luxury class automobiles.
The idea
As one of the key drivers of innovation in the helmet sector in the world, Schuberth has been following this development with great interest, as expressed by Marcel Lejeune, Chief Executive Officer of Schuberth GmbH, when introducing the product: "We are fascinated by the possibilities associated with the use of modern communication and telematics technologies. What we could not understand, however, was the fact that motorcyclists of all traffic participants, who are especially at risk, cannot benefit from these possibilities. We therefore set up an internal development team already in 2009 with the aim of developing the first GPS-based emergency call and location system for motorcyclists."
At INTERMOT, Schuberth will become the first helmet manufacturer world-wide, to introduce such a system to the public; calling it the "RiderEcall by Schuberth". A system not just for Schuberth customers, but for all motorcyclists, as it is compatible with almost all brands of helmets.
The solution
The RiderEcall consists of a motorcycle unit and a helmet unit which are connected by radio. The motorcycle unit is built onto the handlebars just like a navigation system. The helmet unit is attached at the back of the helmet. A total of five sensors, particularly acceleration and tilting sensors, continuously check the driving condition parameters.
The motorcycle unit also has a built-in GPS receiver, an integrated SIM card as well as a built-in microphone and a loud speaker.
The emergency call scenario
If two or several sensors simultaneously trigger an alarm, an emergency call SMS is sent to the emergency call- and services control centre. This SMS already contains the GPS coordinates and the motorcyclist can be identified immediately by the number from which the call is being made. At the same time, the motorcycle unit establishes telephone contact of the emergency call control centre. Attempts are made to establish contact with the motorcyclist via loud speaker and microphone. If the latter reports a need for help or possibly cannot answer, the GPS coordinates, together with all other available data regarding the person and the circumstances of the accident, are immediately passed on to the nearest emergency rescue control centre. An ambulance or rescue helicopter then immediately proceed to the place of the accident.
Florian Schueler, a researcher into accidents at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Freiburg Hospital, has been investigating the causes and consequences of motorcycle accidents in the Department of Accident Safety Research for around 30 years and welcomes the introduction of the RiderEcall: "A key factor in rescuing motorcyclists who have been involved in an accident is time. Seconds or a few minutes frequently decide between life and death. I am convinced that appropriate rescue measures can be introduced more quickly and with greater precision in future by means of the automatic E-Call system, meaning that lives can be saved and the potential consequences of accidents can be kept to a minimum."
The whole security comfort package includes a subscription of 24 months, which can be extended at the end by additional 24 month periods. This also includes a functional testing of the system.
As simple as the idea and manner of operating the RiderEcall may sound, the structures and processes hidden behind it are in fact complicated. Schuberth found skilled partners to work with in implementing the project.
The partners
One of these important partners is the Björn Steiger Foundation with its head office in Winnenden. For more than 40 years now, the Foundation has been involved in optimising emergency call and rescue processes. The emergency call number of 112 which is used across the whole of Germany can, for example, be traced back to the initiative of the Björn Steiger Foundation. We also have to thank the Foundation for the well-known orange emergency call columns on German motorways. The latest project of the Foundation is the development of special baby ambulances called “Felix”, which are especially equipped for the rescue and transport of babies.
The infrastructure for the emergency call- and service centre has been provided by Bosch Communication Center, which has already launched comparable products for the automobile industry. The emergency call SMS are received and verified here as well as being passed on to the rescue control centres.
Deutsche Telekom, finally, has supplied the SIM cards, which are built into the device. Deutsche Telekom therewith guarantees access to one of the best mobile communications networks in Europe.
The Schuberth RiderEcall will be available in Germany starting in January 2013. Further European countries will follow during 2013.
Detailed information about the RiderEcall can be found on the internet at www.riderecall.de.
