There black box in the car it serves first of all to extrapolate from the guide in a sequence of objective datameasurable and verifiable, especially useful when an accident occurs. It is an electronic device equipped with GPS that records physical parameters of the vehicle, such as speed, acceleration, braking and geographical position, with the aim of scientifically reconstruct what happens before, during and after an accident. This tool has become central for insurance companies because it reduces uncertainty in assessing responsibilities and also offers concrete advantages to motorists, from discounts on car insurance premiums to the possibility of finding the vehicle in the event of theft or automatically sending requests for automatic assistance after an impact.
What is the car’s black box, how it is made and how it works
When we talk about a black box we are referring to a small electronic device installed on the car, often via the insurance company, capable of collecting information on the movement of the vehicle. The heart of the system is the GPS (Global Positioning System), i.e. the satellite system that allows you to determine the position of the car on the earth’s surface. This is accompanied by a accelerometera sensor that measures speed variations along multiple axes and which allows you to detect sudden braking, sudden accelerations or impacts. In some models we also find a module GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), which is used to transmit data to an operations center. All this information is processed by a microprocessor and memorized so you can accurately reconstruct the dynamics of an accidentthat is, the sequence of events that, in fact, led to a road accident.
One of the key points is precisely the objectivity of the data. The recorded information cannot be altered by the driver and therefore becomes a useful tool for both the insured and the company. In the event of an accident, it is in fact possible to demonstrate where the car was, how fast it was traveling and whether there were any anomalous manoeuvres. This reduces the risk of disputes and also helps the police when they have to ascertain the responsibilities of the parties involved. At the same time, by analyzing parameters such as the frequency of intense braking or violent acceleration over time, insurance companies can evaluate driving style, i.e. the usual way in which a user drives their vehicle.
Installing the black box in the car, in the vast majority of cases, is not do-it-yourself. The device is mounted in affiliated workshopsin precise positions in the passenger compartment, often under the dashboard or, in any case, in hidden areas. Its correct fixing is essential to accurately measure all the various data. The cost of purchase and assembly is generally borne by the insurance company; If you change insurance companies, you may be asked to pay for the uninstallation of your previous device.
The advantages of having the black box in your car
Between the advantages the more obvious it is discount on car insurance premiumwhich by law must be recognized and can lead to a significant reduction in the annual cost (even of 15-20% approximatelyit clearly depends from company to company). Added to this is the function of location: if the car is stolen or if we suffer an accident in an isolated area, the geolocation data allows us to quickly locate the vehicle and activate searches for the vehicle and/or rescue operations. Some systems also provide theautomatic sending of roadside assistance requests when the accelerometer detects an impact above a certain threshold.
Some myths to dispel about the black box
Regarding any privacy implications of the use of the black box in the car, it is important to clarify that this It does not record conversations or sounds inside the passenger compartment: Collects driving data only. THE’access to information is regulated and companies can use them mainly in the event of an accidentin compliance with current regulations on the protection of personal data.
Another widespread fear is theimpact of the black box on the vehicle battery. This is also an unfounded fear: the device has an internal battery and does not affect the life of the car’s battery.
The black box is not EDR
To conclude on a high note, let’s make a specification. The black box should not be confused with EDR. THE’EDR (Event Data Recorder) is an event recorder installed directly by the vehicle manufacturer and must be installed on newly approved devices by July 6, 2022 and on all newly registered cars from July 7, 2024 following the entry into force of EU Regulation 2019/2144. Unlike the “traditional” black box, EDR is not always active: records data only during serious events, for example when the airbags are activated due to strong impacts, when a rollover occurs, and so on. EDR does not store GPS location and the data it collects is only accessible to the relevant authorities for post-crash investigations. The insurance black box, on the other hand, was created to accompany the user in daily driving and to provide a continuous and measurable picture of the vehicle’s behavior, becoming a technological ally that goes far beyond the simple anti-theft function.
