Early vehicle accident detection and notification based on smartphone technology

Abstract

Prompt assistance to people involved in vehicle accidents could make a significant difference on the consequences of such accidents. Some vehicle manufacturers include technology embedded into the vehicles they build to detect and communicate crash vehicle events to emergency agencies. Nevertheless, this approach adds cost to the vehicles, and as it is only present at a small proportion of vehicles in most urban settings. Nowadays, most cell phones are equipped with a diversity of sensors, including accelerometers, GPS units, microphones, among others, which present an opportunity for these devices to be used, while carried by people, as both sensors for vehicle accidents and remote notification of such events. By means of simulations, this article presents encouraging results regarding using smartphones for vehicle crash detection. The main conclusion presented is that a model for early detection of vehicle accidents has been elaborated and preliminary proved. © Springer International Publishing 2013.