Global positioning and tracking (GPS) technology is an innovation that uses electronic monitoring to identify and locate devices worldwide. Application of this tracking expertise has extended from scientific and technical use to being adopted for everyday personal usage. GPS enabled devices can be positioned and tracked worldwide, which means that frequently used electronics can be mapped to the convenience of their owners. It is possible to place tracker chips in smartphones, navigation and guidance systems, pets, and even human beings to map movement and location. GPS has changed people’s lives by modernizing vehicle navigation systems, locating devices, pets and children, and transforming exploration using maps.
Navigation systems mounted in automobiles depend on global positioning systems and the internet to guide drivers to their destinations. With integrated GPS trackers installed in a smartphone or a vehicle-mounted tablet, the driver can identify a preferred location and plot the most convenient route from the current location (Do & Gatica-Perez, 2014). Since these mapping devices update the position while the journey progresses, the user can approximate the time of arrival and even change routes depending on traffic or weather. While some gadgets may distract a driver who repetitively checks their location, they may be modified to give spoken instructions. Therefore, through the application of positioning and navigation tracking systems, the driving experience has been revolutionized.
Traditional uses of maps have changed with the innovation of GPS in mobile devices that integrates tracking and real-time mapping functionalities. Maps in smartphones and tablets allow users to explore new regions while following directions on their gadgets (Do & Gatica-Perez, 2014). As such, smart appliances with this technology improve the experience of exploration. Korpilo, Virtanen, and Lehvävirta (2017) illustrate that innovation in smartphone GPS tracking has made it possible for recreational users to gather data on their movements. Consequently, this invention has enhanced the experience of tourists during safaris, making it more enjoyable than using conventional paper maps.
Tracking and locating of possessions, pets, and persons to secure them has become easier with the fusion of GPS tracking to the internet. Such positioning requires that trackable microchips be implanted into an object designed to transmit a repeated signal to the satellites. According to DeMichele (2014), such monitoring is possible on a large scale, and can be used to limit movement to a geofence. Hence, wearable GPS devices can be used in the confinement of pets, observing the movement of wildlife in parks, or even restricting the movement of prisoners or patients with dementia.
The use of GPS technology in tracking, positioning, and mapping has made life easier in different aspects. For instance, it has enhanced the tracking of lost tourists, children, patients, and prisoners. Similarly, lost gadgets have also been easily traced using this know-how. Nonetheless, like any other invention, the main shortcoming of this technology is the unethical spying on smart phone users. However, GPS has improved everyday life by changing the way people interact with each other and the environment.
References
DeMichele, M. (2014). Electronic monitoring: It is a tool, not a silver bullet. Criminology & Public Policy, 13(3), 393-400.
Do, T. M. T., & Gatica-Perez, D. (2014). Where and what: Using smartphones to predict next locations and applications in daily life. Pervasive and Mobile Computing, 12, 79-91.
Korpilo, S., Virtanen, T., & Lehvävirta, S. (2017). Smartphone GPS tracking—Inexpensive and efficient data collection on recreational movement. Landscape and Urban Planning, 157, 608-617.
Navigation systems mounted in automobiles depend on global positioning systems and the internet to guide drivers to their destinations. With integrated GPS trackers installed in a smartphone or a vehicle-mounted tablet, the driver can identify a preferred location and plot the most convenient route from the current location (Do & Gatica-Perez, 2014). Since these mapping devices update the position while the journey progresses, the user can approximate the time of arrival and even change routes depending on traffic or weather. While some gadgets may distract a driver who repetitively checks their location, they may be modified to give spoken instructions. Therefore, through the application of positioning and navigation tracking systems, the driving experience has been revolutionized.
Traditional uses of maps have changed with the innovation of GPS in mobile devices that integrates tracking and real-time mapping functionalities. Maps in smartphones and tablets allow users to explore new regions while following directions on their gadgets (Do & Gatica-Perez, 2014). As such, smart appliances with this technology improve the experience of exploration. Korpilo, Virtanen, and Lehvävirta (2017) illustrate that innovation in smartphone GPS tracking has made it possible for recreational users to gather data on their movements. Consequently, this invention has enhanced the experience of tourists during safaris, making it more enjoyable than using conventional paper maps.
Tracking and locating of possessions, pets, and persons to secure them has become easier with the fusion of GPS tracking to the internet. Such positioning requires that trackable microchips be implanted into an object designed to transmit a repeated signal to the satellites. According to DeMichele (2014), such monitoring is possible on a large scale, and can be used to limit movement to a geofence. Hence, wearable GPS devices can be used in the confinement of pets, observing the movement of wildlife in parks, or even restricting the movement of prisoners or patients with dementia.
The use of GPS technology in tracking, positioning, and mapping has made life easier in different aspects. For instance, it has enhanced the tracking of lost tourists, children, patients, and prisoners. Similarly, lost gadgets have also been easily traced using this know-how. Nonetheless, like any other invention, the main shortcoming of this technology is the unethical spying on smart phone users. However, GPS has improved everyday life by changing the way people interact with each other and the environment.
References
DeMichele, M. (2014). Electronic monitoring: It is a tool, not a silver bullet. Criminology & Public Policy, 13(3), 393-400.
Do, T. M. T., & Gatica-Perez, D. (2014). Where and what: Using smartphones to predict next locations and applications in daily life. Pervasive and Mobile Computing, 12, 79-91.
Korpilo, S., Virtanen, T., & Lehvävirta, S. (2017). Smartphone GPS tracking—Inexpensive and efficient data collection on recreational movement. Landscape and Urban Planning, 157, 608-617.