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4 February, 2026
EN
Every minute matters after a serious car crash, and guessing how many people were in the vehicle shouldn’t have to be part of the response plan.
That’s why Euro NCAP’s 2026 update expands the role of eCall. What was once a basic crash alert system must now provide more detailed occupant information, including how many people were in the vehicle, whether they were belted, and whether any children were in child seats.
For automakers and suppliers, this means occupant monitoring systems need to do more than simply count passengers. They must also identify restraint status, and send that information automatically when it matters most.
Here’s what the 2026 protocol requires, and what it takes to get it right.
Under the 2026 protocol, vehicles must send occupant data as part of the eCall message, formally known as the Minimum Set of Data (MSD). This data must reflect real-time conditions at the moment of the crash and remain accurate across all seating configurations.
To earn points in the Post-Crash Intervention category, the MSD must include:
???? The total number of occupants detected
???? Whether seatbelts were in use
???? The presence of children in any type of child restraint system (CRS)
Capturing that information reliably requires more than basic occupancy sensors. Detection must begin at the start of the trip and continue throughout the drive, across all possible seating layouts – including optional or removable rows. If a third row is available, Euro NCAP will assess the system in its most challenging configuration.
To support the required data, the occupant monitoring system must be able to:
???? Distinguish between adults and children in CRS
???? Identify installed child restraint systems
???? Detect seatbelt use (and misuse, as required in Safe Driving assessments)
???? Track occupancy across all seating positions
Post-crash performance isn’t evaluated in isolation either. Euro NCAP links eCall performance directly to the Occupant Presence score from the Safe Driving category. If the vehicle can’t demonstrate reliable detection during normal driving conditions, it can’t claim those points in a post-crash scenario either.
When a crash happens, there’s usually no time to piece together who was in the vehicle after the fact. The system needs to detect and transmit that information automatically, even when the vehicle is in a damaged state.
To do this reliably, occupant monitoring systems must combine durable hardware with robust, real-time software. Beyond occupant classification and seatbelt detection, the system must:
???? Continue functioning under crash conditions
???? Accurately transmit the required data via eCall without delay
And Euro NCAP expects proof. Automakers must submit documentation that demonstrates:
???? How occupant presence is detected and monitored
???? How the system distinguishes between occupant types
???? How data is encoded into the MSD, with supporting examples
???? How all relevant seating configurations are covered and validated
This includes technical diagrams, detection logic, and verification data from real-world scenarios.
When eCall is triggered, emergency services don’t just want to know where the crash happened. They need to know what to expect when they get there.
Occupant information affects everything from how many ambulances are dispatched to which parts of the car get searched first. If the eCall data misses a child in the third row, rescuers might not check that area in time. If seatbelt status isn’t reported correctly, responders may underestimate the likelihood of serious injuries.
In the critical minutes after a crash, clear and accurate information saves valuable time and helps emergency teams make life-saving priorities.
To learn more about Euro NCAP’s 2026 updates, find the full assessment protocols on Euro NCAP’s website.
