HELPNET SYSTEM AND ITS SERVICE

In September 2000, Japan Mayday Service Co., Ltd., an enterprise conjointly established with automobile manufacturers, electronics manufacturers, carriers, etc., started its "Mayday Service" which provides assistance in the case of traffic accidents, sudden illness, and vehicle breakdowns. This report gives a brief description of the company and the services it provides. When an on-road emergency such as a traffic accident occurs, this system detects the deployment of the air bag and sends emergency data, which includes the location of the car obtained via GPS (Global Positioning System), the vehicle's ID, etc. to the Support Center via the public cellular phone network. It then sends the data necessary for rescue procedures, etc. to the Ambulance and/or Police Station in their coverage area. This system is anticipated to help minimize the death toll and severity of injury, as well as reduce the incidence of secondary accidents and traffic jams, by reducing the time needed to report the situation and to provide the correct information on the accident. The authors believe this system can make a significant contribution to society.