Android’s suite of emergency features already boasts important tools like emergency location service, Car Crash Detection, Satellite SOS, Fall Detection, and more. Now, to reinforce the suite even more, the tech giant is rolling out what it refers to as Android Emergency Live Video.
Essentially a feature to give emergency responders eyes on the ground, Emergency Live Video can be the difference maker in tough situations. During an emergency call or text, it allows dispatchers to send a request to your phone to share live video. “With a single tap, you can start securely streaming from your camera, allowing responders to quickly assess the situation and get you the right help in the moment.”
While first responders arrive, the same real-time view can also help with life-saving steps like CPR.
Availability: US, Germany, and Mexico
Credit:Â Google
The way Google phrased how the feature works, it looks like you, as the user, won’t have the liberty to share live video as per your discretion. You’ll only be able to share it if and when a first responder requests you to share it. “During an emergency call or text, if the responder determines that seeing the scene would be helpful and it’s safe to do so, they can send a request to your device,” wrote the tech giant.
Once a request arrives, users will see a prompt on their phone’s screen, and they’ll be able to start securely sharing their camera’s live video with one tap. The video stream is encrypted, and users can stop sharing whenever they want.
Android Emergency Live Video is rolling out now to users in the US and select regions of Germany and Mexico. Although not explicitly mentioned, it is likely that the feature will expand to more countries around the world in the real future.
The feature is supported on Android phones running Android 8+ with Google Play Services.
