Second-by-Second Life-Saving: Collaborating with Sakai City to Reach Zero Traffic Fatalities
In a groundbreaking initiative, Toyota and Sakai City have joined forces to develop a new system that aims to revolutionise emergency response operations. This innovative collaboration utilises dashcams installed in vehicles to provide real-time or near real-time footage to firefighting and rescue teams, enhancing situational awareness during emergencies.
Every day, the Sakai City Fire Bureau receives around 300 emergency calls, and the firefighting command center operates 24/7, taking calls year-round. With this new system, the operator can issue instructions and choose which emergency vehicles to dispatch more effectively, potentially saving lives by using cars in emergency situations.
The inspiration for this project came from Toyota's founder, Toyoda Kiichiro. The unveiling of a bench art titled "Unfinished Dream" took place in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, a place where Toyoda frequently visited during engine development struggles. Akio Toyoda, grandson of Toyoda Kiichiro, attended the unveiling of "Unfinished Dream."
The new system is part of Toyota's pursuit of new value in vehicles, as they strive to create vehicles that aim for zero traffic casualties. The collaboration between the fire bureau and Toyota acts as the operator's eyes during emergencies, providing critical information that can help improve coordination and response effectiveness.
The project draws on Toyota's expertise in mobility technology and is part of a broader trial initiative started in Kyoto City, which Sakai City has joined to improve frontline rescue operations. Access to dashcam footage allows emergency teams to visually assess hazards, navigate difficult situations, and plan their approach more efficiently. This collaboration exemplifies how smart use of vehicle data and connectivity can transform traditional emergency response methods into more proactive and informed operations.
The system has been developed through on-site discussions and trial and error between the fire bureau and Toyota. It could also help save lives using a car in an emergency for someone the user cares about. The Sakai City Fire Bureau protects approximately 920,000 people across Sakai City, Takaishi City, and Osakasayama City.
This collaboration provides a rare look into the world of fire and rescue training and on-site work, offering insights into how technology can be harnessed to improve public safety and emergency response.
This new system, a product of Toyota's partnership with Sakai City, leverages dashcams in vehicles to deliver critical real-time or near real-time footage to emergency teams, enhancing the effectiveness of finance-intensive transportation networks, and particularly the automotive industry, during emergencies. As part of Toyota's pursuit of zero traffic casualties, this collaborative effort between the fire bureau and Toyota extends beyond Sakai City, combining the expertise of both parties in mobility technology to improve frontline rescue operations in the broader industry.
