Emergency

There is no physical emergency button on the device.

To contact emergency services, simply save the desired numbers directly as regular contacts.

For best use, it is recommended to save the direct phone numbers of local services rather than the short emergency numbers (112, 999, 911), which cannot be triggered by voice command starting from Android 12.

Example:
Add a new contact named “Police” with the number of the nearest police station. When the user needs to call the police, they simply press the screen and say “Police” after the prompt “How can I help you?”. The device will then dial the number saved for that contact.

Automatic Calls and Emergency Numbers

When calling a contact with Olga, the system automatically dials the number for you. However, for short emergency numbers (112, 999, 911), Android now requires manual confirmation: even if the number is pre-filled, you must press the “Call” button to start the call.

We have observed this change since the COVID-19 period. This measure was introduced to prevent accidental emergency calls and to protect emergency services from overload or automated call attacks.

This rule likely originates from recommendations by European emergency communication organizations (such as EENA – see their statement) as well as technical choices made by smartphone manufacturers (Google, Samsung, etc.).

Solutions / Alternatives

1) Prefer direct local service numbers
Save the full local numbers (hospital, police station, fire brigade). These calls work normally through Olga.

2) Use short emergency numbers with manual confirmation
If you save a short emergency number (112, 999, 911), Olga will display it automatically. You then simply press the “Call” button (center bottom of the screen) to confirm the call. If needed, a caregiver can add a tactile marker to help locate this button easily.

3) Consider a tele-assistance device
For even simpler emergency activation, tele-assistance services exist with a pendant or bracelet. These devices allow quick contact with a monitoring center, which can call emergency services if necessary.