Google mentioned in the present day 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 resolution, it should begin deploying the know-how this winter to customers the place text-to-911 capabilities are usually not accessible. Initially, this function might be accessible 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 companies. So, Google’s new function will assist customers who’re caught in areas the place they may not be capable of get in contact with emergency companies by way of name or textual content. As this function relies on RCS, which permits wealthy messaging and media assist, customers can ship photos and movies to emergency companies 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 substantiate the supply of their messages and examine if first responders are actively responding to them. Plus, Android’s emergency location companies can present info akin to correct location and system language to emergency responders to higher assist folks in want and opt-in medical info.