Although the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) system was originally designed to aid U.S. military forces in their movements around the world, it has quickly found it's way into everyday life. Many commercial and personal uses for GPS tracking and navigation have been developed and new uses and benefits are continually being discovered.
One of the early examples of how GPS could benefit commercial interests was in the construction of the "Chunnel" a tunnel that crossed beneath the English Channel between Great Britain and France. Using GPS technology the constructions crews dug the tunnel from both ends at the same time and were able to meet perfectly in the middle. The type of use has grown and GPS is used in the operation of many mines and other underground operations.
GPS systems have been used in many emergency situations for locating people who are lost or trapped. Some emergency response services have integrated GPS receivers into their response systems that tell them which police car, ambulance, or fire truck is closest to the emergency location so that they can respond as quickly as possible. They can also use aircraft that are equipped with positioning equipment that allow them to quickly update maps of forest fires for those who are directing the fire crews on the ground.
What has become one of the most common applications of this wonderful technology is the use of GPS navigation systems in automobiles. Once a luxury for even ships and airplanes has become standard equipment in many models of cars and trucks. Whether in rental cars or the family van these devices have proved very helpful for navigating in unfamiliar cities and for getting emergency help in times of trouble.
Transportation companies and courier services have also benefited from the reduction in size and price of GPS tracking devices. Now these companies and public transportation departments can track their trucks, buses and trains every minute of the day. This allows them to improve operational efficiencies as well as provides an added factor of safety for drivers and passengers.
Truck drivers are not the only beneficiaries of this technology. Some larger farms have begun installing sensors on their tractors that allow them to work at night or in situations where visibility is low. They can also tie these into sensors that monitor soil samples to map out areas in the field that need attention.
There have also been many advances in the scientific world. Balloons with GPS devices have been used to monitor such things as air quality and holes in the earths ozone layer. Buoys have been equipped so that they can track oil spills in open water. Archaeologists have use the GPS system to find and map ancient ruins, while biologists have put them to work tracking herd migrations and studying the movements of various species.
Price and size factors have also allowed these devices to be used for more personal applications. People can carry hand held devices as a safety precaution when going into wilderness areas and pet owners can now have a chip implanted in their pets so that if they are lost they can be easily located. A new hobby called Geo-caching has also originated from the technology as "Geo-cachers" use GPS devices to hunt for treasures hidden by other hobbyists. One thing is certain. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg on how this technology may affect our lives.
One of the early examples of how GPS could benefit commercial interests was in the construction of the "Chunnel" a tunnel that crossed beneath the English Channel between Great Britain and France. Using GPS technology the constructions crews dug the tunnel from both ends at the same time and were able to meet perfectly in the middle. The type of use has grown and GPS is used in the operation of many mines and other underground operations.
GPS systems have been used in many emergency situations for locating people who are lost or trapped. Some emergency response services have integrated GPS receivers into their response systems that tell them which police car, ambulance, or fire truck is closest to the emergency location so that they can respond as quickly as possible. They can also use aircraft that are equipped with positioning equipment that allow them to quickly update maps of forest fires for those who are directing the fire crews on the ground.
What has become one of the most common applications of this wonderful technology is the use of GPS navigation systems in automobiles. Once a luxury for even ships and airplanes has become standard equipment in many models of cars and trucks. Whether in rental cars or the family van these devices have proved very helpful for navigating in unfamiliar cities and for getting emergency help in times of trouble.
Transportation companies and courier services have also benefited from the reduction in size and price of GPS tracking devices. Now these companies and public transportation departments can track their trucks, buses and trains every minute of the day. This allows them to improve operational efficiencies as well as provides an added factor of safety for drivers and passengers.
Truck drivers are not the only beneficiaries of this technology. Some larger farms have begun installing sensors on their tractors that allow them to work at night or in situations where visibility is low. They can also tie these into sensors that monitor soil samples to map out areas in the field that need attention.
There have also been many advances in the scientific world. Balloons with GPS devices have been used to monitor such things as air quality and holes in the earths ozone layer. Buoys have been equipped so that they can track oil spills in open water. Archaeologists have use the GPS system to find and map ancient ruins, while biologists have put them to work tracking herd migrations and studying the movements of various species.
Price and size factors have also allowed these devices to be used for more personal applications. People can carry hand held devices as a safety precaution when going into wilderness areas and pet owners can now have a chip implanted in their pets so that if they are lost they can be easily located. A new hobby called Geo-caching has also originated from the technology as "Geo-cachers" use GPS devices to hunt for treasures hidden by other hobbyists. One thing is certain. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg on how this technology may affect our lives.
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