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Newcastle startup’s motorcycle safety app is UK’s first to gain 999 certification

Newcastle startup Realsafe Technologies is the first company in the UK to have an app that is 999 certified.

The firm launched its safety-based app, ‘Realrider’, for motorcyclists in February 2013. Following approval from the government, the product has become not only the first but the UK’s only app to connect users directly and automatically to the emergency services via 999.

British APCO (the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials), on behalf of the Government 999 Liaison Committee, launched the 999 App Certification scheme providing a route for developers to propose apps that will automatically and directly link to the relevant emergency service via the 999 system in a time of need.

The move by The Department of Culture, Media and Sport which chairs the 999 Liaison Committee, follows reports last year from the IET which called for emergency services to reflect ‘the digital age.’

Realrider allows motorcyclists to track rides, record points of interest, and keeps them safe when they ride alone. It can automatically detect if a rider has had a crash and contacts the Emergency Service with their last known location and medical details.

The app, which has been in development since 2011, has undergone testing with BT and the North East Ambulance Service, which has operated a UK wide pilot of the product for the last two years.

Zoe Farrington, CEO of Realsafe Technologies, commented: “We are delighted to be the first and only App in the UK to link our users directly to the nearest Ambulance control room via BT’s 999 service.

“We have worked tirelessly with the team at British APCO, North East Ambulance Service and BT to ensure the process is simple and seamless, and more importantly does not pose a hindrance to any party involved.”

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: “The digital age presents us with new opportunities to improve the ways in which emergency telephone calls to the emergency authorities are handled.

“Together with B-APCO, we’re making sure that mobile apps aimed at keeping us safe meet with appropriately high performance, reliability, and customer service requirements.”