Enhancing Driver Safety, Hybrid eCall Enables Seamless Emergency Communication Across 2G to 5G Networks in Compliance with Europe's 2027 NG eCall Requirements
News Summary
- LG Electronics showcased its Hybrid eCall solution at the 37th 5GAA Meeting Week, highlighting its advanced TCU capabilities.
- The solution enables emergency communication across 2G to 5G networks and is aligned with Europe's NG eCall mandate scheduled for 2027.
- LG has advanced commercialization of its Hybrid eCall solution and built in-house conformity assessment capabilities comparable to those of accredited certification bodies.
SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) showcased its Hybrid Emergency Call (Hybrid eCall) solution at the 37th Meeting Week of the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) – a global cross-industry organization driving the development of connected mobility solutions – held in Gothenburg, Sweden, on April 23. The solution highlights LG's telematics control unit (TCU) capabilities and its continued focus on vehicle connectivity technologies aligned with evolving European safety regulations.
Hybrid eCall Enabling Next-Generation Safety and Regulatory Compliance
eCall is an in-vehicle emergency communication system that automatically transmits critical information – such as vehicle location, vehicle data and time of incident – to the nearest public safety answering point when a severe collision is detected or airbags are deployed. The system has been mandatory for all new vehicles in Europe since 2018.
Starting in 2027, all new-model vehicles sold in Europe will be required to support Next Generation eCall (NG eCall) operating over 4G and 5G networks to enable faster and more accurate transmission of accident data. eCall is directly linked to occupant safety, making reliable transmission of accident data across available networks essential. In response, hybrid approaches that can operate across both legacy and next-generation networks are receiving increased attention.
LG's Hybrid eCall solution is designed for reliable emergency communication across 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks. In real-world environments where network coverage is inconsistent, the solution automatically transitions between available networks and adapts data transmission accordingly, maintaining emergency communication while minimizing delay and data loss.
LG's End-to-End Capabilities and Proven Market Leadership
A key strength of LG's solution is its proven capability. As the No.1 company in global telematics market share,[1] LG has deployed its Hybrid eCall solution, designed to meet NG eCall requirements, in vehicles from major global automakers since last year, completing official certification and moving toward full-scale mass production.
LG's development is backed by end-to-end capabilities spanning development, testing and certification. The company's one-stop execution framework reduces reliance on external institutions and enables a faster and more effective response to automaker requirements and regulatory standards.
LG also operates in-house conformity assessment capabilities for automotive components comparable to those of accredited third-party certification organizations, supported by a standardized testing and evaluation system based on international standards. In 2024, the Vehicle Solution (VS) Standard Testing Laboratory, part of the VS R&D Laboratory, earned ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) and was designated an official certification lab by Europe's Global Certification Forum (GCF). In 2025, it also received recognition from North America's PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB).
The lab's scope has since expanded to include compliance testing for eCall. In particular, KOLAS-accredited test reports (based on ISO/IEC 17025) are recognized globally under the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC-MRA) framework, enabling reliable certification processes and supporting regulatory compliance not only in Korea but also across major international markets.
Last year, at a 5GAA event held in Paris, LG demonstrated a satellite‑based voice communication solution for vehicles. Leveraging non‑terrestrial networks (NTN), the live demonstration marked the first instance of uninterrupted, conversation‑level voice communication while switching between terrestrial and non‑terrestrial network environments.
"We will continue to strengthen our leadership in automotive connectivity by leveraging our world-leading telematics technology and proven global competitiveness, while meeting Europe's stringent safety and regulatory standards," said Lee Sang-yong, head of VS R&D laboratory at the LG Vehicle Solution Company.
| [1] Source: TechInsights, based on market share estimates. |
[1] Source: TechInsights, based on market share estimates.
About LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company
The LG Vehicle Solution Company (VS) is bringing LG's unique mobility innovations to the automotive industry. As a trusted and innovative partner, the company provides intelligent solutions including head units, displays, connectivity, ADAS vision systems, and software solutions integrating human-centered AI and automotive engineering into the modern AI/software-defined vehicle. Committed to "Driving better future mobility," the company has diversified its portfolio to further strengthen its capabilities, including automotive lighting systems, e-powertrain and cybersecurity. For more information, visit www.LG.com/global/mobility. To stay updated with the latest news, subscribe to the LG mobility newsletter, LG Loop at www.LG.com/global/mobility/newsletter and follow the LG VS Company LinkedIn channel at www.linkedin.com/company/lgvehiclesolution.
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LG ELECTRONICS PRESENTS HYBRID EMERGENCY CALL SOLUTION AT 5GAA IN SWEDEN
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- Signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for one icebreaker, to be delivered in 2029
- Won the order over leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway
- "We plan to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship sector based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise."
SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has become the first Korean shipbuilder to secure an overseas order for a dedicated icebreaker.
The company said it has signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration to build one icebreaker.
In the bidding process, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries received strong, well-rounded evaluations for price competitiveness, delivery schedules and technological capabilities. The icebreaker under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will provide icebreaking support, fleet operations, towing services and ice management in the Baltic Sea off Sweden.
This order was secured amid growing global attention on Arctic shipping routes and Arctic Ocean exploration, after competing with leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway. It is significant as it marks the first time a South Korean shipbuilder has entered the global icebreaker market.
The deal was also the result of strong public-private cooperation, with active support from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden and the KOTRA Stockholm Trade Office.
An icebreaker is a specialized ship designed to navigate ice-covered seas by breaking sea ice to open navigable routes. It features a reinforced hull, strong icebreaking capability and a specially designed hull form that allows it to push through and clear ice.
The icebreaker ordered by Sweden from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will measure 126 meters in length and have a displacement of about 15,000 tons. It will feature Polar Class 4 (PC4) icebreaking capability and an electric propulsion system. PC4 generally refers to the ability to continuously break ice approximately 1 to 1.2 meters thick.
The United States has also significantly expanded its investment in icebreaker capabilities, passing legislation last year that increased related funding to about $9 billion. It has also formed the "ICE (Icebreaker Collaboration Effort) Pact" in cooperation with Canada and Finland as part of broader efforts to strengthen polar maritime operations.
According to the ICE Pact, the partners aim to build 70 to 90 icebreakers over the next 10 years.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries aims to actively expand into the global naval and special-purpose vessel markets that require icebreaking capability, leveraging its proven expertise in building icebreakers.
"Following this icebreaker order, global recognition has been given to the strengthened business capabilities achieved through the integration of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo. We will continue to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship segment based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise," said Joo Won-ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Naval and Medium Ship Business.
- Signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for one icebreaker, to be delivered in 2029
- Won the order over leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway
- "We plan to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship sector based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise."
SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has become the first Korean shipbuilder to secure an overseas order for a dedicated icebreaker.
The company said it has signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration to build one icebreaker.
In the bidding process, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries received strong, well-rounded evaluations for price competitiveness, delivery schedules and technological capabilities. The icebreaker under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will provide icebreaking support, fleet operations, towing services and ice management in the Baltic Sea off Sweden.
This order was secured amid growing global attention on Arctic shipping routes and Arctic Ocean exploration, after competing with leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway. It is significant as it marks the first time a South Korean shipbuilder has entered the global icebreaker market.
The deal was also the result of strong public-private cooperation, with active support from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden and the KOTRA Stockholm Trade Office.
An icebreaker is a specialized ship designed to navigate ice-covered seas by breaking sea ice to open navigable routes. It features a reinforced hull, strong icebreaking capability and a specially designed hull form that allows it to push through and clear ice.
The icebreaker ordered by Sweden from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will measure 126 meters in length and have a displacement of about 15,000 tons. It will feature Polar Class 4 (PC4) icebreaking capability and an electric propulsion system. PC4 generally refers to the ability to continuously break ice approximately 1 to 1.2 meters thick.
The United States has also significantly expanded its investment in icebreaker capabilities, passing legislation last year that increased related funding to about $9 billion. It has also formed the "ICE (Icebreaker Collaboration Effort) Pact" in cooperation with Canada and Finland as part of broader efforts to strengthen polar maritime operations.
According to the ICE Pact, the partners aim to build 70 to 90 icebreakers over the next 10 years.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries aims to actively expand into the global naval and special-purpose vessel markets that require icebreaking capability, leveraging its proven expertise in building icebreakers.
"Following this icebreaker order, global recognition has been given to the strengthened business capabilities achieved through the integration of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo. We will continue to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship segment based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise," said Joo Won-ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Naval and Medium Ship Business.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Wins South Korea's First Overseas Icebreaker Order
