First EU eCall Certification in Taiwan, FIH Mobile Recognized for Vehicle Safety

TAIPEI, Aug. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FIH Mobile Ltd. (FIH) recently became the first automotive supplier in Taiwan to obtain eCall certification. The eCall certification testing for FIH was conducted by TÜV Rheinland. These certificates were issued by the approval authority of EU's and UNECE's verification of compliance with all relevant standards, including EU Regulations (EU) 2015/758, (EU) 2017/78, and (EU) 2017/79, as well as UN Regulation No. 144 (UN-R144).

FIH, a subsidiary of the world's largest electronics manufacturer, Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), has made significant progress in the automotive field by leveraging over 20 years of experience in software and hardware integration design and manufacturing within the realm of communication technology.

The EU emergency-call system (eCall) is designed to save lives. When a vehicle is involved in an accident or a passenger experiences an emergency, a request for assistance to a public response center is automatically or manually triggered.  Information such as the vehicle location is included to shorten the emergency response time. As of April 1, 2018, EU whole vehicle type approval requirements mandate the installation of an eCall system that complies with Regulation (EU) 2015/758 in all new types of passenger cars (M1) and light commercial vehicles (N1) sold in the EU. The integration of eCall functionality into FIH's onboard products helps to speed up emergency assistance, reduce the response time of emergency services, and mitigate injuries/damage from vehicle accidents.

The eCall certificate has become synonymous with vehicle safety and reliability of emergency assistance even as car makers set higher standards on safety and functionality. The installation of the eCall emergency-call system was made mandatory on all new vehicles by the EU as of 2018. FIH onboard devices have not only obtained EU eCall certification, but can also provide a variety of other services including fault management, maintenance management, remote vehicle diagnostics, and remote customer service, providing an enhanced customer experience while guaranteeing driving safety.

At the certification presentation, FIH Executive Director and Vice President Dr. Wen-Yi Kuo said: "Obtaining eCall certification through a close collaboration between FIH and TÜV Rheinland is a major milestone for us. As a supplier of automotive electronics key sub-systems, including onboard communication units, we have always embraced a human-centric approach in our system design to optimize user experiences and have valued safety as the top priority in our design consideration. The eCall certification not only proves our onboard solutions have been certified by this world-class safety certification body, but also means that we are able to meet the constantly evolving safety requirements of leading car makers around the globe."

Jennifer Wang, Managing Director of TÜV Rheinland, said: "The eCall system is all about saving lives, which is also the basis of our belief in technical safety and corporate social responsibility. Continued advances in the Internet of Vehicles, electric vehicles, and autonomous driving technology mean that we expect the eCall system to become integrated with other vehicle safety and intelligent assistance systems to one day form an even more powerful safety assurance system. Vendors that obtain eCall certification will not only prevent traffic accidents and injuries, but also make a contribution to road safety."

Unlike conventional automotive safety regulations, specialized fields such as electronics, positioning, and wireless communications are heavily involved in eCall certification. Automotive testing and certification bodies/laboratories must therefore upgrade their capabilities. As a leading provider of international third-party certification services, the TÜV Rheinland Group already provides related testing services to Daimler, Porsche, Ford, and other manufacturers in Europe. TÜV Rheinland has extensive experience with vehicle certification around the world, including assisting domestic and overseas suppliers of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, electric bicycles, automotive lights, tires, blind spot detection systems, and electronic rear-view mirrors to comply with national transportation regulations and obtain international approvals.