The General Motors in-vehicle service launched in 1996 that can automatically contact emergency responders after a crash is OnStar.
OnStar was formed by General Motors, Electronic Data Systems, and Hughes Electronics. GM officially launched the service at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show, and it reached customers later that year in selected 1997 Cadillac DeVille, Seville, and Eldorado models.
Its automatic crash function evolved from airbag-deployment notification into more advanced collision response. Sensors can notify an OnStar call center after a serious crash, where an advisor may relay the vehicle’s location and crash information to emergency services. Depending on the system, data can include rollover status, impact direction, airbag deployment, and change in velocity.
OnStar is often confused with smartphone projection systems such as Apple CarPlay, or with brand-specific connectivity services such as Ford SYNC and Chrysler’s Uconnect. Those systems may provide communication or navigation, but OnStar’s defining role is subscription-based telematics and emergency assistance integrated into the vehicle.