Sync can dial 911 by itself

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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-sync-911-assist-non-subscription-emergency-service-available-in-2-million-vehicles-provides-peace-of-mind-117712343.html

 

How it works

 

The Ford SYNC 911 Assist system uses the driver's own mobile phone and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC. After the one-time setup, the phone connects with SYNC every time the driver enters the vehicle with his or her phone and the phone is turned on.

 

Should an accident occur in which an airbag deploys or, in certain vehicles, the emergency fuel pump shutoff is activated, the feature uses SYNC hands-free phone capabilities to connect the driver directly with a local 911 operator through the paired phone. The feature delivers a critical voice message to operators indicating that a vehicle has been in a crash and opens the line for hands-free communication.

 

If an accident occurs while the phone connected with SYNC is being used for a normal call, SYNC 911 Assist can end that call and dial 911. Also, incoming phone calls and/or texts will not interrupt communication between vehicle occupants and emergency responders.

 

Should an occupant not be able to communicate with the 911 operator, an introductory message tells the emergency operator that an accident has occurred. Operators rely on the mobile phone carrier to provide location information.

 

There is no middleman or call center between those involved in the accident and those trying to help the victims, unlike competitive systems that start the emergency response process by calling a third-party center instead of actual 911 operators. Once connected, operators get to hear information firsthand and directly from SYNC and the vehicle occupants.

 

"By cutting out the middleman, Ford SYNC 911 Assist users don't have to worry about wasted time that could mean the difference between life and death," Hatton said. "Instead, they can drive knowing that they have a system available without having to worry about the status of some kind of emergency service subscription that expires."

 

The extent to which users have to maintain SYNC 911 Assist is limited to the one-time setup. A prompt occurs the first time a phone is paired with the system that asks if the owner wants to set SYNC 911 Assist on. Once turned on, it remains that way unless the customer decides to turn the system off.

 

Ford estimates that at least 85 percent of customers pair their phones with SYNC.

 

SYNC 911 Assist enhancements

 

Ford has continued to improve SYNC 911 Assist. Starting with selected 2011 model year vehicles, SYNC 911 Assist can provide emergency operators with GPS coordinates that are generated by a vehicle's onboard GPS receiver.

 

Also, vehicles equipped with optional MyFord Touch™ and MyLincoln Touch™ have a priority emergency screen that contains location information during a 911 Assist call along with quick-touch access to In Case of Emergency (ICE) contacts at the end of a 911 Assist call.

 

SYNC 911 Assist was introduced to the public at the 2008 International CES. It was first available on 2009 model year vehicles with a dealer-installed upgrade available for 2008 models.

 

SYNC 911 Assist is available on all SYNC-equipped 2011 vehicles, including Ford Explorer, Taurus, Focus, Flex, Fusion, Escape and F-150, as well as Lincoln MKS, MKZ and MKT.