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The European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently published a Report on Road User Needs and Requirements, as part of a series that examines user needs and requirements for position, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions in various sectors. These reports, which are an outcome of the first European GNSS User Consultation Platform (UCP), will help shape the discussion at the next UCP, to be held as part of European Space Week in Marseille on 3-4 December 2018.

Road applications have a dominant position in the GNSS market, and this will be further strengthened by policy decisions from public authorities and the advent of connected cars. The report notes that eCall and the Smart Tachograph are already good examples of European policy promoting GNSS, and the directive on interoperability of road toll systems in the European Union is another.

Stringent performance requirements

However, according to the report, we are moving from specific devices supporting specific applications, to a situation where the vehicle is a platform of connected services requiring more stringent performances for positioning, timing and navigation.
Autonomous vehicles will bring a new set of requirements, but it is not yet clear what the final role of GNSS will be in the complex guiding system installed in these cars. Nevertheless, there is a significant potential for GNSS use in road transport as the global car industry moves towards connected cars and automated driving.

Watch this: eCall - Emergency Positioning

However, the report notes that there is a low awareness among stakeholders of the new possibilities offered by EGNSS and that research and pilot projects are needed all along the road value chain to convince decisions-makers to incorporate the latest GNSS signals into their system architectures. Consultation with stakeholders and users will help increase awareness of, and confidence in, GNSS solutions. The EGNSS User Consultation Platform (UCP) plays a key role in this process.

The EGNSS User Consultation Platform

The UCP is a periodic forum organised by the European Commission and the GSA involving end users, user associations and representatives of the value chain, such as receiver and chipset manufacturers, application developers and the organisations and institutions dealing, directly and indirectly, with Galileo and EGNOS. The Platform is a part of the process developed at the GSA to collect user needs and requirements and take them as inputs for the provision of user-driven Galileo and EGNOS services.

And this: Register now to the EU Space Week in Marseille

The next User Consultation Platform will be held on 3-4 December, during European Space Week in Marseille. The main work of the UCP will be carried out in eight parallel panel sessions grouping users by market segment, with a dedicated session on the road sector.

This year, European Space Week also has a special session on Smart Cities, which will highlight how space applications are driving innovation in today’s smart cities, supporting applications in various areas – from intelligent mobility and the Internet of Things (IoT) to location-based services for health, transportation and everything in-between, including in the road transport sector.

To join the ongoing discussion and to ensure that future European space programme evolutions meet your needs and requirements, you can take part by registering to attend European Space Week here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The innovative Crash Care helmet utilises 3D sensors, Galileo-based positioning and mobile phone networks to detect, and respond to, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, like the eCall system for cars.

Imagine you are out riding you bicycle or cruising on your motorcycle along a picturesque country road. Far from anything, you simply take in the open road and enjoy the rural scenery. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer darts out in front of you. You swerve to avoid hitting it and, in doing so, slide on some loose gravel. Falling off your bike, your head bounces against the pavement, leaving you unconscious in the middle of the road.

Normally, your well-being would depend on a vehicle coming by, seeing you and calling for help. But, luckily for you, your Crash Care smart helmet has already detected the accident and automatically alerted the emergency helpdesk about your location.

Help is on the way.

Automatic for the biker

The innovative, German made Crash Care device is a compact sensor that can be attached to nearly all types of motorcycle and bicycle helmets. Using a 3D sensor and gyroscope, the system not only detects when an accident happens, but also how strong the impact was. Thanks to its built-in Galileo-enabled receiver, Crash Care uses GNSS-based positioning information to determine the exact location of the accident.

“All of this information, along with previously added medical background information, is automatically transmitted via SMS to local emergency services and other third parties,” says Crash Care inventor Dr. Winrich Hoseit. “It even provides vital data, so doctors have a clear picture of the situation before the patient arrives in the emergency room.” 

Crash Care is compatible with all European mobile networks. To provide users with more peace of mind, the system’s lithium battery guarantees a usage period of 10 years – with no need for recharging. Crash Care even automatically self-checks and notifies the user of any potential glitches.  

Looking ahead

Although originally designed for motorcycles and bicycles, Dr. Hoseit notes that the system can also be used by equestrians, skiers, fire fighters, police officers, and the military. In fact, the company is currently in talks with the German military about developing a satellite-based system, as opposed to using mobile phone networks as the standard system does. There are also plans to implement the Crash Care system into hard hats, so those working in construction sites, remote oil rigs and other accident-prone sites can benefit from the extra layer of security the system provides. 

Having been certified, Crash Care is set to hit the market by mid-2019. In total, 17,000 orders have already been placed across Germany, Austria, the UK and the Netherlands.

Aftermarket eCall

The Crash Care team is exploring the possibility of creating a version that can be inserted into vehicles, providing a service similar to Europe’s eCall system. eCall devices automatically dial the European emergency number 112 to alert rescue services in the event of an accident. The system sends the exact location to responders, along with the time of the incident and the direction of travel, even if the driver is unconscious or unable to make a phone call, thereby reducing the response time for road accidents and saving more lives.

“According to EU law, all new vehicles sold in Europe must be eCall enabled,” explains Dr. Hoseit. “What we aim to do is to make the Crash Care architecture available to provide the same service in legacy vehicles, or those that were manufactured before eCall went into effect.”

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).