Google mentioned at the moment it’s partnering with RapidSOS, a platform for emergency first responders, to allow customers to contact 911 by way of RCS (Wealthy Messaging Service).
The corporate famous that with RapidSOS’s answer, it would begin deploying the expertise this winter to customers the place text-to-911 capabilities usually are not obtainable. Initially, this characteristic shall be obtainable solely to Google Messages customers.
In accordance with AccesSOS, a non-profit engaged on emergency contact, solely 54% of 911 name facilities within the U.S. present text-to-911 providers. So, Google’s new characteristic will assist customers who’re caught in areas the place they may not have the ability to get in contact with emergency providers by way of name or textual content. As this characteristic is predicated on RCS, which permits wealthy messaging and media assist, customers can ship photos and movies to emergency providers for higher context.
“Emergency texting with RCS in Google Messages will bring critical safety communications capabilities previously unavailable to users when they need it most,” Elmar Weber, GM of Android Enterprise Communications, mentioned in an announcement.
“Our goal is to make RCS the standard for emergency services texting everywhere, and we’re inviting the ecosystem to partner with us to provide reliable emergency messaging for everyone.”
Google mentioned that 911 with RCS additionally permits customers to verify the supply of their messages and test if first responders are actively responding to them. Plus, Android’s emergency location providers can present info similar to correct location and gadget language to emergency responders to higher assist folks in want and opt-in medical info.