Has Google Launched Emergency Location Service for Android in India?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Uttar Pradesh is the first Indian state to incorporate ELS into its emergency services.
- The service provides real-time location tracking for emergency responders.
- ELS operates using GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile signals.
- The service is free and requires no extra apps.
- User privacy is prioritized, with no data storage by Google.
New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Google has officially launched its Emergency Location Service (ELS) for Android smartphones in India as of Tuesday.
Uttar Pradesh stands out as the pioneering state to fully incorporate this sophisticated caller location technology into its existing 112 emergency services.
According to a statement from Google, the Emergency Location Service (ELS) is now operational on Android in India, with Uttar Pradesh leading the way in integrating enhanced caller location features into its emergency response framework.
ELS is a native function on Android devices that automatically shares the exact location of a caller with emergency operators when a 112 call or SMS is initiated.
This innovative service employs a blend of GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile network signals to accurately determine the caller’s whereabouts, with a precision of up to 50 meters.
This functionality is crucial in emergencies where calls might disconnect shortly after being connected, thereby enabling quicker assistance to those in distress.
Google emphasizes that the service is built with robust privacy safeguards. ELS activates solely during emergency calls, is free of charge, and does not necessitate any extra apps or hardware.
Notably, location data is transmitted directly from the user’s device to the emergency services and is neither collected nor stored by Google.
Prior to its complete launch in Uttar Pradesh, the service underwent pilot testing for several months, yielding positive results.
During this testing phase, ELS facilitated over 20 million emergency calls and SMS messages, effectively locating callers even in cases where calls dropped within seconds.
The system utilizes Android’s machine learning-based Fused Location Provider, ensuring accurate location tracking whether callers are indoors, outdoors, or on the move.
This service is compatible with all Android devices running version 6.0 and above. Once an emergency call is made, the caller’s location is immediately accessible to responders via the UP112 command system, alongside routing intelligence provided by Pertsol.
This capability allows authorities to promptly assess whether police, medical, or fire services are required, enabling swift dispatch of assistance.