Over the years, the technology involved in manufacturing an automobile has become more advanced as automakers shift their focus from basic transportation to design features that make a vehicle safer, more comfortable, and more easily operated. Cars are not easy to track down unless you have some ideas. But these days, the new cars are coming with a ready technology called as Global Positioning System (GPS). So with GPS in cars, what are the benefits?
What is Global Positioning System or GPS?
The Global Positioning System, usually GPS, is the only fully-functional satellite navigation system. A constellation of more than two dozen GPS satellites broadcasts precise timing signals by radio, allowing any GPS receiver (abbreviated to GPSr) to determine its location accurately.
How does GPS technology work?
A GPS unit consists of a space segment, a control segment, and a user segment. The space segment is a constellation of two dozen satellites orbiting the earth twice every 24 hours, at approximately 10,900 nautical miles above the earth’s surface.
Four satellites are used simultaneously to pinpoint the precise position of the receiver on the earth. Information from the first three satellites narrows down the range of possible locations to two points; one of these is usually illogical and indicates a point, not on the earth. A fourth satellite is used to confirm the target location. The accuracy of a typical GPS receiver is about 10-15 meters. It may not be practical to locate a small object such as an automobile,
GPS in Cars: What Are the Benefits?
GPS can do a lot of things like
- Tracks the distance traveled on a particular trip,
- Vehicle mileage and speed.
- It can keep a record of driving activity, including the address of each destination, names of streets traveled,
- Some systems issue warnings when the car is speeding and when the car is approaching a speed trap.
- It can aid in the recovery of a stolen car. Integrated with the automobile security system, GPS can notify the car owner by phone or e-mail when the car alarm is triggered and indicate the car’s location.
Quick Case Studies
The Ford They have developed a new telematic system through GPS on the Ford Focus that will
- alert emergency services when an airbag deploys.
- The emergency services can locate the vehicle quickly and assist an injured driver or passenger.
- The Ford automobile company has developed a new telematic system through GPS on the Ford Focus that will alert emergency services when an airbag deploys.
BMW: BMW website indicates that a GPS navigation system is available on a concept car, but I can’t determine if it is a standard option or not.BMW web site indicates that a GPS navigation system is available on a concept car, but I can’t determine if it is a standard option or not
The OnStar system uses a GPS receiver and a built-in cellular phone to provide safety and convenience services. First, if the airbag deploys, Cadillac customer service will notify emergency services for you. Cadillac can provide the police with the last known location if the car is stolen. Roadside assistance can be dispatched based on GPS location. Other customer services, such as directions to the nearest hotel, are also available.
Lexus: Lexus’ website says they have an onboard navigation system that directs drivers to destinations by display screens and voice queues.
So what do you think about GPS? Have you seen it somewhere, and if yes, what do you think about it? Say in comments
