The first global navigation system ‘Transit’ was developed in 1958 and was made available for commercial civilian use by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, as Navstar. The first satellite for Transit, developed by the Advance Research Projects Agency, was launched in 1960. The technology is now undergoing an evolution set to change society in unimaginable ways.
More applications are starting to emerge, and with the expansion of artificial intelligence, GPS has the ability to potentially save lives, drastically reduce crime and enable sustainable economic growth that benefits more people, even those in far-flung rural areas.
Navigation
According to Justin Mason, Sales Director at Webfleet, in the navigation space, GPS has revolutionised the way we get from point A to point B. No longer do we rely on atlases and maps or describe obscure landmarks over the phone for directions.
“With the advent of GPS-enabled services like Google Maps and Waze, we can simply enter an address on any device and receive accurate directions. Furthermore, with the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities, these navigation apps are taking it a step further: we have seen more applications that can analyse real-time data on traffic congestion and redirect vehicles onto alternative routes, effectively spreading the flow of traffic and saving motorist’s time,” he says.
By analysing the data on driving behaviour and general activity, AI systems can accurately predict the optimal routes for individuals, helping them avoid traffic jams and reach their destinations faster.
“Over time, we have deployed in our own commercial logistics operations at Webfleet; these systems possess a collection of data on each user, including driving behaviour and general activity at certain times of the day. This could influence the level of accuracy to the point that systems urge users with reminders or useful information, like an email just arrived postponing a meeting. Data is selected for each person and is read and processed by using AI, which is improving daily,” says Manson.
By clearing traffic jams and improving city roads overall, sharing the best information can speed up the recovery of the economy, and possibly allow emergency service personnel to accurately reach and allocate required resources.
Emergency services
Nowadays, at the press of a button, a driver can now instantly report a medical or roadside emergency without having to try describing their location to a call centre operator, especially in some unknown part of the city, a different province, or in a foreign country. Increasingly the average commuter is gaining this functionality.
Saving precious life-saving minutes, first responders arrive faster than ever, which is even more vital when the driver is involved in an incident in the middle of nowhere.
“With the ever-expanding repository of data, emergency vehicles can tell which areas have the highest concentration of car crashes, so they can position vehicles (and even vehicle depots) nearby. Similar data for concentrations of crimes like hijackings, housebreakings and assaults could also help law enforcement to not only respond faster, but to create a higher visible presence of officers through preventative strategies,” says Manson.
The economy
Today, every smartphone app will request access to location information, from the expected navigation app to a mobile game. While it makes more sense for some than others, each one has its own reasons.
Certain banks’ geo-payments functionality will not work without GPS being enabled. These tools have been vital in introducing Africa’s millions of previously unbanked to financial markets, with a person able to send money to another without either party needing to have a bank account.
However, although it might not seem necessary to enable location services for Angry Birds or your shopping app, the information gathered by each app does have a final use.
“An organisation’s ability to analyse various demographic information linked to location data not only allows them to develop much more specialised brick-and-mortar developments but also allows them to make targeted online offers,” Manson adds.
The future of GPS
Looking ahead, the potential for GPS to be used by the automotive industry is massive. Webfleet aims to assist in the realisation of these opportunities by collaborating with the sector and creating relevant tools. Manson believes GPS can offer crucial data beyond traffic jams in commercial road transportation and land logistics.
“Based on elements like potential threats along the route or reminders about insurance coverage, truck drivers may be redirected. The fleet management and telematics solutions from Webfleet integrates real-time tracking, fleet optimisation, third-party connectivity, workflow management, and cost reduction to deliver not only measurable benefits, but also a customised user experience that considers each user's particular needs, worries, risks, and preferences,” he concludes.
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