Event data recorder

An event data recorder (EDR), more specifically motor vehicle event data recorder (MVEDR), similar to an <a href="/facts/Accident_data_recorder/9Vs8A7L7">accident data recorder</a>, (ADR) sometimes referred to informally as an automotive <a href="/facts/Black_box/hJeAGnIz">black box</a> (by analogy with the common nickname for <a href="/facts/Flight_recorder/Pp41CNsY">flight recorders</a>), is a device installed in some <a href="/facts/Automobile/I1IsH8IK">automobiles</a> to record information related to <a href="/facts/Traffic_collision/hW5yXKq3">traffic collisions</a>. In the USA EDRs must meet federal standards, as described within the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.
The term generally refers to a simple, tamper-proof, <a href="/facts/Read-write_memory/2lHbaw1g">read-write memory</a> device. The role of the EDR is limited compared to journey data recorders such as <a href="/facts/Digital_tachograph/jJBVYmgM">digital tachographs</a> in Europe or <a href="/facts/Electronic_logging_device/8TWXWLxq">electronic logging device</a> in the USA, which may also be referred to as a black box or in-vehicle data recorder.
In modern diesel <a href="/facts/Truck/9GMJWsQU">trucks</a>, EDRs are triggered by electronically sensed problems in the engine (often called faults), or a sudden change in wheel speed. One or more of these conditions may occur because of an accident. Information from these devices can be collected after a crash and analyzed to help determine what the vehicles were doing before, during and after the crash or event.

Event data recorder open-in-new

Event data recorder