Since first becoming available to private citizens in the 1080s, GPS technology has progressed to the point that millions of people rely on it every day for navigating roads, finding lost items, helping to keep tabs on dementia sufferers, and to avoid becoming lost while hiking in remote areas. Global positioning system (GPS) programs were created by the U.S. government but several other nations, notably Russia, have come up with their own satellite-enabled positional tracking.
Every year, GPS capability gets a bit more reliable, accurate, and easy to use. What are most important ways that businesses and private citizens are using GPS in the 2020s? It’s not just about figuring out how to get across town anymore. Here are the top uses of GPS today.
Healthcare
GPS has had a major impact in the healthcare industry, where devices are implanted into the soles of shoes worn by dementia patients who tend to wander away from care facilities. These low-cost trackers are an excellent way of alerting medical staff whenever a resident leaves a safe area or attempts to exit a building. Trackers come equipped with GPS-enabled alarms, software programs, and other user-friendly features that help caregivers keep patients safe and sound all day long.
Commercial Fleet Management
Nearly every commercial fleet uses GPS applications as part of a larger telematics system for vehicle safety, tracking, and data collection. For example, you can review an online guide about the next development in fleet management, namely collision avoidance systems, and find out how commercial enterprises are making the most of technical advances. It’s worth knowing that collision avoidance is just one of multiple types of driver assistance system technologies in current use. GPS was one of the first high-tech methods for keeping track of trucks and cargo, and it is still used either as a standalone method or a component of sophisticated fleet management programs.
Child Safety
Some parents have turned to GPS devices to keep their children safe, or at least be able to locate lost or at-risk little ones who wander off or become victims of abductors. Companies that sell personal devices like these also market them to pet owners who are tired of searching the neighborhood each night when the dog or cat dashes out the front door in pursuit of a squirrel or sparrow.
Property Protection
Car thieves will never be put out of business completely, but global positioning devices are making their job much more difficult. Some new cars even come directly from the factory with embedded GPS-devices, which means you can simply check your smart phone and pinpoint the location of your vehicle any time you wish. The same strategy works for other personal property goods like laptops and musical instruments.
Private Use Navigation
Most of us know the technology because we’ve used it as an enabled app on our phones while driving, or carried a small unit with us on hikes or long walks. It’s safe to say that getting lost is becoming a rarer occurrence in the era of global positioning technology.
