Access to faster emergency assistance has improved as Google introduces its Emergency Location Service for compatible Android devices in India. The feature allows users in distress to call or send an SMS to emergency services while automatically sharing their precise location.
When an emergency call or message is initiated, the service sends location details to responders such as police, health care professionals, and firefighters. Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to make the service operational for Android users. Although the feature is available on devices running Android 6.0 and later, it can only be activated after integration by state authorities.
Google explained that the Emergency Location Service on Android helps users transmit their location through calls or SMS during emergencies. The system determines the user’s position by using data from GPS, Wi Fi, and cellular networks. According to the company, it can identify a location with an accuracy of up to 50 m.
For the service to function, support from local wireless and emergency infrastructure operators is required. In India, Uttar Pradesh has fully enabled the service after the state police worked with a technology solutions provider to integrate it with the emergency number 112. The service is free of cost and tracks a user’s location only when 112 is dialled from an Android phone.
Google stated that the Emergency Location Service has been rolled out to all compatible Android devices running version 6.0 and above. So far, the company claims the feature has supported over 20 million emergency calls and SMS messages globally, even in cases where calls were disconnected within seconds. The service is powered by Google’s Android Fused Location Provider supported by machine learning technology.
The company also clarified that the feature is exclusively available to emergency service providers. Google does not collect or store precise location data, as the information is sent directly to the concerned authorities.
Recently, Google also introduced the Emergency Live Video feature for Android devices. This allows users to share live camera footage with emergency responders during a call or SMS, but only after the responder requests access. Users can approve the request with a single tap to provide visual support.
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