A government-sponsored project in Europe will enable faster, more effective responses to road accidents. NXP is part of the picture, and is developing extra innovations that will make cars more interactive and more secure.

eCall

The European Union (EU) estimates that there are 1.4 million traffic accidents on EU roadways each year, resulting in 1.7 million injuries and 40,000 fatalities. eCall, a new project sponsored by the European Commission and scheduled for implementation by the end of 2009, will enable faster assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the EU.

If the vehicle's airbag is deployed, or sensors detect an impact, the car automatically connects to a cellular network and relays the information, along with GPS coordinates of the car's exact location, to local emergency agencies. Calls can also be made manually, by pushing a button. Whether the call is made manually or automatically, there is always a voice connection between the vehicle and the rescue center, so a dispatcher can speak to anyone still conscious in the car, confirming details and giving reassurance.

Knowing the exact location of the crash site is expected to cut response times by as much as 50% in rural and 40% in urban areas. Having emergency services arrive earlier is expected to save 2,500 lives annually, and will lessen the severity of thousands of injuries. Faster response times will also mean faster clearance of crash sites, which will save fuel, reduce CO2 exhaust, and ease congestion. NXP has pledged its full support for eCall, and makes many of the technologies, including sensors, GPS, and cellular, that the system requires.

SmartKey

NXP, as part of its own plans to improve motor vehicles, is developing a new concept, called the SmartKey. Most drivers are already familiar with keyless entry - just aim the car's “keychain” at the car and lock it, turn on the alarm, or unlock it. Some keys even set driver preferences, like seat position, mirror settings, and so on. But, aside from a beep or a flashing light, the car doesn't provide much in the way of confirmation. The SmartKey changes that, offering two-way communication between the car and the key. Using radio frequency (RF) technology and a series of LEDs or a display, the SmartKey can confirm that the car is, indeed, locked, and can communicate with the car in other ways, too. If, for instance, the theft alarm is triggered, the car can send an alert, or, using data from various sensors, can remind the driver when it's time to fill the tank, change the oil, or check the tires. For added convenience, the technology can be integrated into a mobile phone, so there's only one device to carry.

Over time, other features will make the SmartKey even more useful. With GPS, the key can become an ID device, locating the car when it's parked in a crowded lot or down a side street. Similarly, adding NFC can enable secure payments, for use at toll booths or gas stations.