What are the Gray Online Services?

The Gray Online Services (G.O.D.) refer to a collection of safety-relevant online vehicle services. Unlike colorful infotainment applications such as music streaming or weather services, the G.O.D. are functional and often safety-relevant. They range from convenience topics like transmitting odometer readings or the status of a door to services that can directly intervene in the vehicle or transmit important information in critical situations. In addition to the automatic emergency call (eCall), services such as Remote Vehicle Status, Remote Vehicle Tracking, Alert Services, Fleet Data, Remote Trip Statistics, Car Finder, and online appointment booking are also part of the G.O.D.

The “gray” services differ not only in color from the colorful entertainment services but also in terms of their technical characteristics. They operate over a highly secure backend and are subject to strict requirements regarding data protection, availability, and reliability.

As CarByte, we are directly integrated into the world of G.O.D. Our main tasks are divided into two subcategories – the “Call Services” (CS) and the “Enabler & Remote Services” (ER). Within the “Call Services,” we deal with the requirements and development of the upcoming eCall, the Next Generation eCall (NG eCall), as well as conducting functional tests of the Gray Online Services. Additionally, the “Enabler & Remote Services” focus on vehicle registration, service management with data transmission, token retrieval between the vehicle and user, as well as the handling of privacy issues.

The eCall: Invisible Lifesaver

Quiet, invisible, and yet a lifesaver – the eCall. When a vehicle crashes, every second counts. This is where the eCall comes into play, an automatic emergency call system that can save lives in critical moments. Since March 2018, eCall has been mandatory for all new vehicle types in the EU. However, what many do not know is that the system is only part of a complex digital ecosystem that operates reliably in the background. This includes the Gray Online Services.

When a vehicle detects an accident, it recognizes certain parameters such as the impact angle or the force of the impact and automatically triggers an eCall. A voice connection is then established via a mobile network to the nearest emergency call center – at the same time, important vehicle data, the so-called Minimum Set of Data (MSD), such as location, direction of travel, speed, and number of occupants, is transmitted. This information helps rescue services to respond more quickly and accurately.

For many, the eCall remains hidden – a system that ideally never becomes active but can make the difference between life and death in critical situations. And this invisible operation must be ensured reliably for years – technically, functionally, and based on legal requirements.

Requirements for the NG-eCall

The classic eCall is not the end of development – quite the opposite: With the NG-eCall, the next level is approaching. Here, new mobile network standards such as 5G, IP-based communication, and expanded data packages are utilized. The goal is to not only accelerate rescue efforts but also to provide more contextual information, such as the condition of the vehicle or the environmental situation.

Functional Testing of the eCall

As part of vehicle development, eCall systems must be tested under real conditions. This means: We check whether the emergency call is triggered correctly, whether all vehicle data is transmitted, and whether the connection to the emergency call center is reliably established. Additionally, the individual components of the architecture of the control units are tested to ensure full functionality there as well.

These tests are conducted both virtually in test environments and physically in real vehicle situations – for example, in special crash-test scenarios or with so-called “trigger tools” that simulate an accident. These test drives are executed by our team worldwide to ensure the functionality of the system.

We meticulously document each individual test case, analyze deviations, and work closely with developers, backend specialists, and emergency call centers. Our goal: No error should go unnoticed, as every piece of information counts in an emergency.

The Infrastructure Behind the (NG-)eCall

For the eCall and the G.O.D. to function, a whole ecosystem is necessary – from the telematics unit in the vehicle through the mobile network to the backend server that processes, stores, and forwards the data. This infrastructure must be available 24/7 and operate absolutely reliably.

Errors in the system can have serious consequences not only in terms of data protection but also concerning the physical safety of vehicle occupants. Therefore, regular testing, auditing, and security analyses are an integral part of our work at CarByte.

Conclusion: More than Just Technology

Through our broad range of experts in the various subject areas, we uphold the motto “Everyone helps everyone.” This allows us to answer and resolve all questions and issues concerning the Gray Online Services as effectively as possible.
The Gray Online Services are not the features one immediately thinks of when discussing modern vehicle development, yet they are among the most important and indispensable elements of modern vehicle technology. They connect humans and machines, simplify our daily lives, and alert rescue services in critical situations within seconds. For this, they must function flawlessly.