Gemalto, Yokosuka Telecom Research Park, Fujitsu Ten and Ertico launch first eCall testing center in Japan

THE NETHERLANDS: Gemalto announced its collaboration with Yokosuka Telecom Research Park Inc., a leading developer of advanced safety systems, and ERTICO to launch Japan’s first eCall testing facility in order to help global automakers meet the European Union’s (EU) new emergency response standards.

Gemalto will provide its best-in-class Cinterion Machine-to-Machine (M2M) automotive modules and Machine Identification Modules (MIMs) technologies to enable communications and GPS positioning for all trial scenarios. It is the first eCall facility outside Europe, allowing Japanese automakers to locally test solutions destined for the European Union.

Designed to reduce emergency response time, the “112” eCall service is a pan-European, interoperable M2M system that allows vehicles (and passengers) to automatically call for help in the case of a road incident.

The FUJITSU TEN and YRP test bed features In Vehicle System (IVS) units that leverage eCall-compliant Gemalto technology already proven successful in Europe and compliant with European test cases. As air bags or other in-vehicle sensors are triggered, a Gemalto automotive grade MIM instantly establishes a secure network connection and a Cinterion automotive M2M module initiates a standardized “112” voice call with the nearest emergency call center.

The system automatically sends key situation data, including exact incident location, time stamp, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and more, to emergency operators who dispatch appropriate services in real time. The solution can be activated manually by passengers when needed. Trials are very much facilitated by this testing center, Japan’s only exclusive eCall 2G cellular network, which simulates European wireless networks.