The Real Future of GPS

GPS location tracking can focus on tracking people or tracking things. Geo-social tracking apps Gowalla and Foursquare launched at the 2009 SXSW Conference. On December 5, 2011, TechCrunch’s article, Erick Schonfeld, revealed that Gowalla would be shutting down operations.

Although Logistimatics tracks things, not people, it has learned from the mistakes of others such as Gowalla. Schonfeld and others have noted three chief mistakes that Gowalla made:

  • The company did not understand the power of network effects needed for geo-social tracking apps. You use an app like this because all of your friends are using it. Let’s talk about a company that has veered away from social tracking e.g, Logistimatics.
  • Unlike, its competitor, Foursquare, Gowalla overcomplicated its app by trying to do too many things. By contrast Foursquare only focused on check-ins and rewards. Logistimatics has kept its apps simple to use and intuitive by doing one thing well.
  • Finally, Gowalla failed to bring in talent that had already established credibility with advertisers based on a track record of success. For example, Foursquare’s business development executive, Tristan Walker, “gave them a lot of clout, with major brands like Starbucks,” noted Schonfeld in quoting Gowalla investor, Gay Vaynercheck. Logistimatics embraces the value of marketers and business development personnel with a track record of building relationships founded on character and integrity with major brands.
Future of GPS Technology

Since the early 90s, the Global Positioning System GPS has gained immense popularity worldwide. The exceptional features that enable GPS to transmit radio signals with accurate delivery time, navigation, and positioning impress a huge population. In comparison, it is safe to say that a portion of our technology revenue is dependent on GPS.

GPS is widely used in logistics, transport, communication, the safety & security sector, and the emergency Sector. The breakthroughs in GPS are rapidly increasing every year, offering intriguing GPS futuristic applications. Moreover, numerous applications are using GPS technology for its precision and accuracy.

The GPS will be the primary hub for long-lasting navigational applications in the future. However, its role will gradually be assumed by a handful of different GNSS, including Galileo and GLONASS, that will function in conjunction with GPS.

The importance of other methods like map-matching and inertial systems, as well as GNSS aid and augmentation data, will also play a vital role in GPS technology. It syncs GPS methods with apps because various technology coordinates can be combined to enable accurate and precise location and marine applications at any time.

Best applications of GPS in the future:

 

1. Lowering Earth Orbit

The US government and NASA have planned to equip GPS tools to assist in the Low Earth Orbit missions. Around 90% of the said missions will be carried out under geosynchronous orbit. The reason is that the Global positioning system will help the users achieve real-time navigational data. It will also support NASA in reducing the burden on station tracking.

2. Technology

Advancements in GPS technology include safe and secure applications. With GPS, precise positioning will end our woes and worries for today and tomorrow. GPS tools create codes and frequencies for civilians to sync with applications and receive real-time data. Due to the versatile nature of the GPS, it can apply to any navigational app out there.

3. Science

A few decades before, scientists used the band to track animal locations and identify certain species. The GPS devices are attached to the animal via collars to track the animal’s movement, body health, behavior, and route in real-time. In the future, scientists are planning to monitor animals that are in near-extinct quantity or endangered for their illegal usage in the black market. In addition, this initiative will end animal cruelty and help find animals that are killed or taken away for any reason.

4. Earth Science

Also known as Geo-Science, it is the study of the Earth. The GPS will help the Geo-scientists to measure tectonic movements. The GPS is already helping the scientists with information such as during landslides, earthquakes, ocean beacons, and near volcanoes that provide data on heat and motion. These are some of the many applications of GPS in Geoscience.

5. Survey

Surveyors work to quantify and map out features on the ground and beneath the water. Utilizing GPS tools can provide a higher degree of precision to them. The GPS tool is set on a single moving point to mark the physical boundaries. In addition, data is later fed to software which provides precise details to help analyze and note the changes to the structures.

6. Marine Applications

GPS technology has changed the course of Marine from better to best. With GPS on board, the ships can now navigate with precision on water. It also helps in marine search and rescue operations by knowing real-time coordinates and speed. Plus, it also allows vessels heading to stay on the course. The US marines are presently using the GPS for underwater surveillance and navigational hazard mapping.

7. Farming

With the help of GPS, farmers have increased their cultivation and harvesting by installing GPS trackers to help find the tractors. In addition, farmers work in extreme weather conditions, such as fog and darkness. Therefore, finding agricultural vehicles can become quite a challenge. This is why most farming vehicles come equipped with GPS devices today. Farmers are also using GPS tools to determine whether the soil is fertile or not by measuring the soil motion.

8. Aviation

Every aircraft today now have GPS installed. It provides pilots with better navigation and helps the Air-traffic Control tower monitor the route. The precision of the GPS allows the aviation industry to focus more on the safety, accuracy, and efficiency of flights.

9. Military

If we go back to the history of the GPS, we would know that GPS was first invented for military purposes by the US Department of defense. Today, GPS technology can also be integrated into the missiles for accuracy in projectile motion. The best and most common use of GPS in the military is tracking, monitoring, and precision tools and aircraft.

10. Communication Systems

Since GPS works with the GNSS constellation of satellites, the cellular usage of the GPS is something that we witness every day. The communication companies use a SIM-based approach to identify users and monitor their location time.

History of GPS

 

In 1957, Russia launched the country’s first-ever satellite called “Sputnik.” It was the first satellite to succeed in orbiting the Earth. While doing so, Sputnik transmitted data with electromagnetic signals. A group of scientists observed a peculiar phenomenon: the frequencies of the radio signal broadcast by Sputnik expand as the satellite approached, and the frequency of the signal diminished when it went away. This phenomenon is called the Doppler Effect. The Doppler Effect of Sputnik allowed scientists to use radio signals to monitor the satellite’s movements from its base.

In 1958, (ARPA) utilized this concept to design Transit, the first satellite navigation system that was global in scope. The first satellite of Transit was launched in 1960, and the idea, created through John Hopkins University APL, could provide navigation for commercial and military users, including Naval missile submarines. The program was assigned to the navy in the mid-60s. However, by 1968, a constellation of 36 satellites was operating under the same program.

GPS use in Telecommunication

 

Telecommunications has helped GPS users to achieve their goals hassle-free. Dial-up service using copper phone lines allows users to download information from the base station to remote places. In addition, The radio modem provides a wireless communication connection between a rover and a base station. The Rover allows surveyors to conduct RTK-based surveys. Although popular advancements in technology for telecommunications in the past decade have led to greater services, offering more convenience, faster speeds, and greater coverage tops the chart.

The rapid growth of the Internet has made protocols like TCP/IP widely used, leading to an increasing number of devices with IP capabilities and internet-connectedness. Wireless technologies like GPRS and 3G enable better bandwidth use and offer greater speed and coverage for mobile users. It also examines the latest protocols related to GPS, such as Strip and the RTCM 3.0.

The Benefits of GPS Technology

Here are some of the fascinating benefits of GPS technology today:

  • The average accuracy range of the GPS device is within 15 meters. Modern GPS prototypes use Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) signals precisely to within 3 meters.
  • There is no subscription cost for GPS tools in contrast to SIM-based cellular devices.
  • GPS can work perfectly well in harsh and extreme weather.
  • Military GPS operates on two frequencies while civilians utilize only one improves accuracy. The dual-frequency GPS devices are accessible to civilians.
  • GPS is an essential component of devices that provide daily logistics and other useful transportation services, like watches, cell phones, computers, weather forecasting, energy supply, navigation, and disaster/emergency response.
  • Numerous industries depend upon the precision of GPS, such as construction, banking, aviation, shipping, and agriculture.
  • GPS plays a significant role in any country’s national security. Every new piece of military equipment has GPS to monitor a global database of the sea, air, and road transport systems.

Cellular network GPS usage

Cellular technology for location is an umbrella term used to define a range of technologies for locating. GPS capabilities in the cellular industry are essential to sync with cellular services and provide coordinates for accurate data and measures. Cellular networks thrive in structures and cities, and densely-populated areas because they utilize the crowdsourced GPS data. It can identify a specific device about its distance from the network’s access points.

Tracking capability of GPS

You can Track family members, children, and elders using GPS tracking devices. In addition, GPS helps locate stolen vehicles and provides exact positions and movements. With GPS, you can also easily track the keys and other valuables.

Aid and Track with GPS

With GPS on a smartphone, you can use it for directions to the nearest restaurant or get traffic updates on specific areas. You can also book a ride and track your journey in real-time on your mobile. Not only this but search and rescue missions use GPS to respond to emergencies and aid in time.

Built-in GPS in Cars

One of the main advantages of the built-in GPS in cars is that it saves you from hard work–yes, the installation. These trackers get power from the car’s battery or internal electrical system. It provides the drivers with precise location, time, speed, and car health measurements.

GPS usage in the Construction Sector

GPS is quite beneficial for construction firms. It helps them manage costly equipment from towers and remote cranes to earth-moving machinery, vehicles, maintenance, and monitoring heavy machinery. Traditionally GPS is used to track all types of assets worth being followed, such as compressors and generators.

GPS Tracking for Heavy Machinery

Install the GPS tracker on heavy machinery and never worry about it being stolen or lost. GPS devices are typically durable and protected from harmful elements that machinery may have. The GPS devices can also withstand a broad range of temperatures and extremely rough working environments. Usually, GPS devices are powered by the power source of the machinery.

GPS tracker in Watches

Today, every smart and a few mechanical watches come installed with embedded GPS devices. It monitors the user’s heartbeat and body heat and tracks other physical vitals of the body. GPS watches could include cadence monitors for shoes that measure the speed of a runner.

Bicycle-mounted with GPS sensors measures the speed of the wheel and the force a cyclist is exerting on the pedals. These devices come with software that properly relays all the monitored information to the users and logs it.