System and method for real-time detection of an emergency situation occuring in a vehicle

A system for real-time detection of an emergency situation occurring in a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a first sensor configured to detect an occupant-related condition and to generate a first signal that includes information relating to the occupant-related condition;
• a transmitter configured for wireless transmissions;
• a processor communicatively coupled to the first sensor and operatively coupled to the transmitter, the processor configured to obtain the first signal from the first sensor and to determine when the emergency situation is occurring based, at least in part, on the information included in the first signal, and the processor further configured to instruct the transmitter to transmit a distress signal without any involvement by an occupant of the vehicle when the processor determines that the emergency situation is occurring;
• and
• a communication center located remotely from the vehicle and configured to receive the distress signal and to respond to the distress signal.

A method for real-time detection of an emergency situation occurring in a vehicle, the method comprising:

• detecting with a sensor mounted in the vehicle an occupant-related condition;
• communicating a signal containing information relating to the occupant-related condition to a processor;
• determining with the processor that the emergency situation is occurring in the vehicle;
• and
• transmitting a distress signal with a wireless transmitter without any involvement by an occupant when the processor determines that the emergency situation is occurring.