The "brains" of the systemThe technology hinges on a small computer embedded in the dashboard between the driver and passenger seats and called the Sensing Diagnostic Module--what GM engineers call the "brains" behind AACN. SDM receives input from other sensors throughout the vehicle, including those in side panels, seats and the engine area. It also records the number of occupants in the car at any given time, the vehicle's speed and the region of the vehicle that may have been hit. In case of an accident, the SDM crunches an algorithm to determine the severity of impact, using a standard scale developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The module then relays that information to an OnStar adviser, who may then phone an emergency medical technician, local hospital or 911 dispatcher.

Eventually, GM hopes to automate the data transmission by linking directly to hospitals or emergency centers, said Robert Lange, executive director for structure and safety integration at GM, At the heart of the SDM is a sophisticated accelerometer that measures the change in the vehicle's velocity over a short period of time, a statistic engineers call "Delta V." A sudden change in velocity--for example, from 50 mph to zero in two seconds--is the single biggest indicator uag plasma iphone xs max protective case - ash of the severity of a collision..

For example, the module could determine that a car has suffered a severe impact in its front passenger-side door. But because it receives information from sensors embedded in front car seats, the SDM could also determine that no one was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash. So although the crash was severe, the likelihood of a fatality might be low. The SDM could also help medics determine what kind of equipment to bring to the crash scene. For example, if a crash is so severe that fatalities are likely but the crash happened in a remote location, the dispatcher might immediately request a helicopter to transport victims to a trauma hospital in another state.

A dispatcher might also warn medics that one or more occupants were children, who often require different-sized clamps or paddles in emergency procedures, Most new vehicles already have so-called suppression sensors in the seats to determine the weight of the occupants, chiefly to shield smaller occupants from the full force of an airbag release, In uag plasma iphone xs max protective case - ash GM vehicles, people less than 90 pounds are considered to be children, and passengers more than 90 pounds are considered as adults, "We were already using suppression sensors to determine whether to suppress the front airbag," said Jasmin Jijina, lead engineer for the AACN project, "This is a great secondary use."..

David Sobel, general council for the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, also had concerns about the nature of AACN registration. The feature is one of many services offered by OnStar, including automated stock quotes, driving directions and concierge services for ticket buying and restaurant reservations. Sobel said many people might opt for AACN because of safety perks but not be aware of the tracking function. "Many people are likely to give consent in case of an accident, but the point is to make sure that the driver understands what data is being collected, what triggers the data collection and where it's reported," Sobel said.