EU plans emergency calling for every new vehicle

mkpdavies · 03-02-2005, 09:34 PM

http://www.globetechnology.com/servl.../International/

Quote:

Brussels — All new vehicles in Europe should be equipped to make automatic emergency calls by 2009, according to European Union safety plans announced Thursday.

The new technology, named eCall, can be triggered manually by a button or automatically by air bag deployment or crash sensors. The car then transmits via GSM wireless technology to indicate its location.

Another piece of expensive, unecessary regulation. Car manufacturers can off this as an option, why force people to have stuff they m,ay not need or want. Most people have a mobile phone now anyway, whic is more than adequate. Stupid!

social observer · 03-02-2005, 11:40 PM

It makes the EU appear both cutting edge and that it has the welfare of its citizens uppermost when it legislates.

However it also means that the vast majority of the gizmology contracts will end up with Italian and French companies because of something specific to the date.

In 2009 the European competitor to GPS, called Galileo, will be functional enough to exploit for this development. Galileo is a necklace of navigation satellites, exclusively built by Europe and mostly launched by Arianespace and possibly outsourced to the Russian Federation launch firms such as Energya. Unlikely that the Yanks will get much, if any, launch contracts from it.

This is the first (but definitely not the last) example of creating a need for a product already in place, rather than see a need and develop a solution to it.

Personally I am on the horns of a dilemma on this one. I am very much for improving space technology, and even breaking the Stranglehold of the American companies. But, I don't like the idea of extracting yourself from one protectionist cartel and landing INTO phpbb_an even bigger one that has massive amounts of legislation to protect it.

How long before they suggest satellite medical alarms sewn INTO phpbb_our pants?

03-02-2005, 11:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
social observer Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambs/Norfolk Border Posts: 290	It makes the EU appear both cutting edge and that it has the welfare of its citizens uppermost when it legislates. However it also means that the vast majority of the gizmology contracts will end up with Italian and French companies because of something specific to the date. In 2009 the European competitor to GPS, called Galileo, will be functional enough to exploit for this development. Galileo is a necklace of navigation satellites, exclusively built by Europe and mostly launched by Arianespace and possibly outsourced to the Russian Federation launch firms such as Energya. Unlikely that the Yanks will get much, if any, launch contracts from it. This is the first (but definitely not the last) example of creating a need for a product already in place, rather than see a need and develop a solution to it. Personally I am on the horns of a dilemma on this one. I am very much for improving space technology, and even breaking the Stranglehold of the American companies. But, I don't like the idea of extracting yourself from one protectionist cartel and landing INTO phpbb_an even bigger one that has massive amounts of legislation to protect it. How long before they suggest satellite medical alarms sewn INTO phpbb_our pants? __________________ If you don\'t like what I think, attack the opinion with Logic and reason, don\'t attack the opinion holder!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode