BMW BLOG

A few months back, BMW announced that the BMW Assist technology will add a “Risk of Severe Injury” algorithm to the existing Automatic Collision Notification service. The purpose of this system was to show a more accurate picture for its first-responders when they get to the accident scene. BMW jointly developed the algorithm with the William Lehman Injury Research Center in Miami to better predict the likelihood of severe injury to the car’s occupants in a crash.

Just a few days ago, GM announced a similar technology being integrated into their OnStar system. By introducing the Risk of Severe Injury algorithm on all 2009 models (excluding X3), BMW and the William Lehman Injury Research Center intended to influence the industry, and this announcement is clear evidence of success. The industry is now beginning to try to convince the CDC to update protocols for using injury prediction at Public Safety Answering Points (911 centers). Such widespread adoption & development are the bases on which we repeatedly state that this technology will save thousands of lives. We hope you can see why BMW is so passionate about getting this technology implemented.

To quote Mr. Peter Baur, Manager of Product Analysis, “With [this development, OnStar is] raising their ability in respect to ACN to the level of BMW’s enhanced ACN. They announced using an injury prediction based on the CDC expert panel’s recommendation, which basically adopted the BMW/WLIRC Urgency approach. Together we now have hopefully enough vehicles with eACN ability on the road to influence the handling at the PSAPS and EMS based on injury prediction. GM claims to have 4 Million vehicles on the road which are able to transmit crash severity, the basis for injury prediction. Now it is important to coordinate with CDC and OnStar the thresholds and the way the injury prediction information is transmitted.”

All these technologies will increase the chances of anyone in a car accident and we would love to see other auto manufacturers following the same path, in the end, savings lives is what everyone wants, regardless of the car brand.

Download OnStar Press Release