NEXES · Project

IP-Based Emergency Services Upgrade: Smarter 112 Calls via Smartphones and Sensors

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Imagine calling 112 and only being able to talk — no video, no texting, no way to share your exact GPS location or medical data. That's how most emergency services still work. NEXES built smartphone apps and sensor systems that let citizens stream video, share health data, and pinpoint their location when calling for help — and let first responders from different agencies actually talk to each other over the internet. They tested everything in 3 real-world pilot exercises across Europe.

By the numbers

consortium partners across Europe

countries represented in consortium

realistic pilot demonstrations with end-users

working prototype systems delivered

total project deliverables produced

EUR 5,760,836

EU research investment

The business problem

What needed solving

Emergency services across Europe are stuck with voice-only phone systems while citizens carry smartphones capable of video, messaging, and precise GPS. This means slower response times, inaccurate caller locations, no way to transmit medical data automatically, and a complete communication gap for people with hearing or speech disabilities. Different emergency agencies also cannot easily share information with each other during multi-service incidents.

The solution

What was built

NEXES delivered 4 prototype systems: a citizen emergency app with video/text/location sharing, an IP-based eCall mobile app, a first responder app for cross-agency communication, and smart device prototypes that automatically trigger emergency calls from biomonitoring sensors (heart rate, temperature, glucose) and environmental sensors (gas concentration). All were validated in 3 realistic pilot exercises, backed by 36 total deliverables including standards recommendations.

Audience

Who needs this

National and regional 112/911 emergency call center operators upgrading to NG112Telecom operators deploying IP-based emergency calling infrastructureWearable health device companies seeking emergency alerting integrationSmart city solution providers building connected public safety platformsGovernment agencies responsible for emergency services modernization

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Emergency services and public safety

enterprise

Target: National or regional 112/911 call center operators

If you are an emergency call center operator struggling with voice-only calls that lack location accuracy and caller context — this project developed IP-based apps and an eCall system tested in 3 realistic pilots across 10 countries. The citizen app lets callers share video, text, and GPS location, while the first responder app enables cross-agency communication. With 17 consortium partners contributing, the system was designed for real operational conditions.

Telecommunications

enterprise

Target: Telecom operators building NG112 or VoLTE emergency infrastructure

If you are a telecom company deploying next-generation network infrastructure and need to support IP-based emergency calling — NEXES built and validated an IP-based eCall mobile app prototype that routes emergency data over internet protocols instead of legacy circuits. The system was developed with 8 industry partners and tested interoperability across multiple national emergency architectures. This gives you a reference implementation for NG112 compliance.

IoT and wearable health technology

SME

Target: Wearable device manufacturers or eHealth platform providers

If you are a wearable health tech company looking for emergency alerting use cases — NEXES built smart device prototypes that read biomonitoring data like heart rate, body temperature, and glucose levels, then automatically trigger emergency calls when abnormal values are detected. Environmental sensors for gas concentration were also integrated. This opens a direct path from health monitoring to automated emergency response.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt or license NEXES technology?

The project had a total EU contribution of EUR 5,760,836 across 17 partners. Licensing terms are not specified in the public data. Contact the coordinator RINICOM LIMITED (UK-based SME) to discuss commercial terms and technology transfer options.

Can this scale to a national emergency service infrastructure?

The system was demonstrated in 3 realistic pilot exercises and designed for interoperability across 10 countries' emergency architectures. The consortium included 8 industry partners with existing emergency communications products, suggesting the technology was built with real-world deployment scale in mind. National rollout would require integration with existing NG112 standards.

Who owns the intellectual property?

IP was generated by a 17-partner consortium coordinated by RINICOM LIMITED, a UK-based SME. With 4 SMEs and 8 industry partners in the consortium, IP is likely distributed. Specific licensing arrangements should be negotiated directly with the coordinator.

Does this comply with European emergency communications regulations?

NEXES explicitly aimed to produce recommendations and contributions to Europe's standardisation effort on emergency services. The project addressed NG112 requirements including total conversation capabilities for people with disabilities. Based on available project data, the outputs were designed to align with EU emergency service interoperability mandates.

How long would integration take with existing emergency call systems?

The project ran for 3 years (2015-2018) from research through pilot validation. Integration timelines would depend on your current infrastructure, but the 3 pilot demonstrations provide tested reference architectures. The 36 deliverables include technical specifications that can accelerate deployment planning.

Does it work with existing emergency dispatch software?

NEXES was specifically designed for interoperability — connecting different emergency agencies through IP-based protocols. The first responder apps were built to establish advanced communication between agencies and with citizens. Based on available project data, the system uses open internet protocols rather than proprietary formats.

Is there ongoing support or a development community?

The project closed in April 2018. RINICOM LIMITED coordinated the work and is the primary contact for follow-up. Several consortium partners are established emergency communications companies that may offer commercial support. The project website nexes.eu may contain additional resources.

Consortium

Who built it

The 17-partner consortium spans 10 European countries with a strong commercial orientation: 8 industry partners (47% of the consortium) and 4 SMEs, including the UK-based coordinator RINICOM LIMITED. The mix of 2 universities, 2 research organizations, and 5 other entities (likely public safety agencies and standards bodies) means the technology was shaped by both commercial developers and actual emergency service operators. This industry-heavy composition increases the likelihood that results are market-oriented rather than purely academic. The EUR 5,760,836 investment was distributed across partners with existing emergency communications products and in-house solutions, which they adapted and validated through NEXES.

RINICOM LIMITEDCoordinator · UK
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR WEST YORKSHIREparticipant · UK
TELEKOM SLOVENIJE DDparticipant · SI
MINISTERO DELL'INTERNOparticipant · IT
DEVERYWAREparticipant · FR
OMNITOR ABparticipant · SE
ORANGE ROMANIA SAparticipant · RO
AGENZIA REGIONALE EMERGENZA URGENZAparticipant · IT
POLIISIAMMATTIKORKEAKOULUparticipant · FI
TEAMNET INTERNATIONAL SAparticipant · RO
EUROPEAN UNION OF THE DEAF AISBLparticipant · BE
ACIL AFET AMBULANS HEKIMLERI DERNEGIparticipant · TR
EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EPIKOINONION KAI YPOLOGISTONparticipant · EL
MINISTERE DE L'INTERIEURparticipant · FR
UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANIparticipant · SI

How to reach the team

RINICOM LIMITED is a UK-based SME that coordinated the project. Use SciTransfer's contact service to reach the project team.

Order a report on this consortium See RINICOM LIMITED profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the NEXES team or a detailed technology brief? SciTransfer connects businesses with EU research teams — contact us for a tailored matchmaking.

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