BMW to introduce auto SOS system for motorcycles

Around the world, motorcycle accidents claim a lot of live due to various factors out of which one is due to time delay involved for emergency services to reach the accident spot. In an effort to reduce the same, BMW will be launching an ‘intelligent emergency call system’ for motorcycles. This system will spontaneously signal for emergency service in an event of a mishap.

BMW has already incorporated the eCall system for its vehicles sold in the market. The system is integrated with the vehicle and uses the different sensors to record when the accident occurs and will send the location via the satellite navigation system to an emergency service.

For the BMW motorcycles, the company has reported that the system will make use of the information received for collision, acceleration and lean angle sensors to distinguish from stand-still fall and serious mishaps.

On detecting a serious accident, the BMW call centre will automatically be notified with an emergency call which will be displayed on the instrumental cluster of the motorcycle. The rider will not have access to disconnect the call. The system will also activate an acoustic signal from the bike to get the attention of people in the vicinity. 

However, for a mirror accident, the rider will automatically receive a call after a 25 second delay that can be cancelled by pressing the ‘SOS’ button located on the right-side of the handlebar under a cover.

The system will also have provision for the rider to make a call by pressing the same button and have a voice conversation with the person on the other end on the line. The distress call makes use of the cellular network from the cell phone that has been paired with the system.

The German manufacturer has reportedly mentioned that after conducting simulations and trials, the system was capable to reduce the time taken for emergency services, to reach the accident spot by almost half. Statically, the system will help to save almost 2500 lives in a year.