Future cars could send accident report within seven seconds

New technology could inform emergency services of traffic accidents within seven seconds of impact, and even provide details of possible injuries.

Hyundai has teamed up with MDGo, which specialises in medical artificial intelligence (AI) systems, to work on the new safety feature which could cut ambulance response times.

Using sensors in the car and AI technology, Hyundai will be able to send emergency services a detailed analysis of potential injuries, communicated through medical terms, almost instantly after a crash. This is thanks to an AI algorithm which interprets accident data and predicts the severity of driver injury.

Emergency services can then assess the required scale of response and deploy appropriate medical personnel before arriving at the scene of an accident.

Youngcho Chi, president and chief innovation officer at Hyundai Motor Group, said: "MDGo possesses exceptional AI analysis technology optimised for driver safety.

"Through this technology, we expect a significant improvement in the emergency medical services of vehicles in the short-term, while our long-term goal is to provide innovations in passenger experience of vehicle safety utilising new technology that enable real-time physical monitoring."

To help the AI system refine its interpretation of different accident scenarios, hospitals provide real data on patients' injuries which the system then compares to its prediction.

The new partnership will also help Hyundai enhance the active and passive safety capabilities of its vehicles, the carmaker said.

Big data gathered from detailed, intelligent analysis of multiple accident scenarios will show engineers how to bolster crash structures and integrate new technologies to overcome issues identified by the AI analysis.

These developments follow Hyundai's announcement of the world's first multi-collision airbag system, and an innovative technology that assists hearing-impaired drivers.

And last year, the manufacturer demonstrated another medical innovation using its NEXO fuel cell vehicle. While travelling autonomously, the vehicle communicated with doctors, sharing a passenger's medical information in real-time, including blood pressure and heartbeat data.