Vodafone Foundation’s Emergency Response App NG-SOS Achieves 5 million Downloads
This month, NG-SOS app reached an extraordinary milestone of five million downloads. An achievement that underscores the Foundation’s strategic focus of supporting individuals in times of crisis and emergency, and the vital role NG-SOS plays across Europe.
The NG-SOS app (known as Záchranka in the Czech Republic), co-funded by the Vodafone Foundation, initially focused on improving the localisation accuracy of emergency calls. Today, the app connects users with emergency services in Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and since this November Bavaria too, with plans for Romania already underway.
Originally envisioned as a bachelor’s thesis by Filip Maleňák in 2012, who was then a biomedical engineering student at Brno University of Technology, NG-SOS has since evolved into a comprehensive emergency assistance tool.
Designed for ease of use and efficiency, with a simple push of a button, NG-SOS transmits the caller's location, medical profile, next of kin contacts, mobile battery status, and more to emergency services, facilitating a faster and more personalized response.
The app includes several features designed to enhance user safety:
- First Aid and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Modules: Providing instant expert advice for medical emergencies.
- Public Warning Module: Issuing alerts on crises such as water supply contamination, epidemics, and chemical leaks.
- Video Call Function: Allowing users to visually communicate with emergency services for a clearer understanding of the situation.
- Icons for Injuries: Enabling non-verbal communication of injuries when speech is not possible.
- Real-Time AI Translations: Overcoming language barriers during emergencies.
- Avalanche Module: Regularly monitoring and reporting avalanche risks and contacting mountain rescue services when needed.
- Location Tracking – TheGuardian location tracking feature can be activated anywhere in the Czech Republic or abroad. The user activates the function in the Locator module and then shares their movements with a selected contact person via SMS.
The NG-SOS team continually innovates and expands functionalities to better serve users. For example, the successful integration with Mountain Rescue Services and Water Rescue Services has ensured prompt assistance in diverse scenarios. Additionally, the app's Locator feature helps users find nearby points of interest such as AED defibrillators, hospitals, and pharmacies.
Speaking about the success of the app, Founder Filip Maleňák said, "NG-SOS is a huge asset not only for people in emergencies but also for the rescue teams who rely on accurate communication at pace, in critical situations. It’s fast becoming part of the emergency infrastructure of several European nations, so achieving 5 million downloads across the nations where we have a presence is something we are very proud of indeed."
Echoing Filip’s words, Lisa Felton, Managing Director of Vodafone Foundation, said, "The NG-SOS app’s journey from a simple localisation tool to a lifesaving assistant is a testament to its innovative design and the dedication of its development team. To have reached 5 million downloads is an amazing achievement, and means that today, many more individuals than ever before have access to emergency help, quite literally in the palm of their hand."
She continues, "NG-SOS is an important part of Vodafone Foundation’s portfolio of programmes designed to support individuals and communities in times of crisis and emergency. One of three areas of strategic focus and work forms part of our wider mission to use the power of technology to connect for good."
NG-SOS’s reach continues to enhance emergency response capabilities across Europe.
For more information, please visit the NG-SOS website, or download the NG-SOS app today.
More stories
No results found