Whether youre lost on a lonely country road, or simply want to check into a cute caf in New York City, GPS always has your back. Now that its so fully integrated into our cars, our phones, and our lives, it can be hard to remember a time before location services were available on almost every device. Where would we be without GPS today? Besides making it tough to get lost as long as your battery lasts, GPS has become more sophisticated and useful than we could have imagined twenty years ago. In honor of Geographic Information Systems Day on November 16, lets take a look at how far GPS has comeand how far it could go from where we are now.
Recent Innovations
GPS is accurate enough for most of us when its being used on our smartphones or in our cars. This is because we have human brains, and were able to make deductions quickly if the GPS isnt 100% precise. Robots, however, dont have that ability yetand neither do we, if were not relying on normal vision or reality. New GPS technology from the University of Texas uses software that can pick up precise GPS signals that are accurate within centimeters. This new technology could make it possible for self-driving cars to avoid collisions, and for shipping drones to make extremely accurate deliveries. The technology is currently being explored as a way to play VR games outdoors without fear of collision, by using the software to create a 3-D map using a smartphone camera. This would allow multiplayer VR to move outdoors and allow for physical activity as part of the game.
The IoT and Unusual Devices with GPS Integration
Everybody uses GPS in the car or on a smartphone, but with the rising popularity of the Internet of Things, more and more devices are being connected to the Internet and GPS features. Some of these devices are totally unexpectedbut make total sense once you think about them. Some unusual GPS enabled devices that have been made include:
GPS-enabled shoes for seniors with dementia or Alzheimers. Health informatics devices have been available for years now, but the addition of GPS is giving them new purpose. These diseases can cause loved ones to wander off unexpectedly, often resulting in tragedy. The GPS trackers inside SmartSoles provide real-time tracking information, and customers receive support from dispatch operators if need be. This is one wearable device that could just save a life!
Eradication of invasive rat species with GPS poison pellets. Many islands have issues with rats that disrupt the normal island ecosystems, causing native plants and animals to die. Broadcasting bait allowed for mapping and monitoring of the Polynesian rat extermination efforts on Lehua Island near Hawaii, allowing for the successful removal of this invasive species.
Trakdot can help you find lost luggage. Airlines make mistakes, but youll always be able to find your bag by using the small Trakdot box inside your bag. If you dont find it at baggage claim, you can receive an update from the box and track your luggage down. The box is fully compliant with FAA rules.
The GPS of the Future
Currently, location services are based off satellites. These location satellites make up about 20% of all satellites orbiting the Earth, and are located in medium-earth orbit. Using the signal time and distance from the satellite, the device is able to calculate position on the Earth. Unfortunately, this system is prone to weak signals and even hacking, since its a free service from the government.
The future GPS looks very different from what were used to todayresearchers are exploring highly accurate navigation systems that use the hundreds of local signals around a device at any timesignals that would make navigation systems much more stable. This system could be used on its own, or combined with current GPS satellite technology. Concern over stable connections with self-driving cars is also fueling better GPS systems. One idea is to use an Inertial Navigation System (INS) to add sensors to existing GPS. These sensors would act as a second line of defense, determining the probability of GPS accuracy and helping to prevent collisions. This technology could be used by both military and civilian vehicles. Replacing GPS is still a long way off, but researchers continue to work hard on improving overall accuracy and reliability to assist in the development of other technology.
