GPS Tracking Technology has sure come a really long way. There have been lots of advancements in this super useful Technology, so much so that a lot of people are unaware of the fact that the Technology they heavily depend upon and cherish so much was not always this cheap, sleek and multi-dimensional in functionality. Just like every other Technology, it too underwent evolution.
In this article, we will be discussing the history, evolution and technological advancements the GPS Tracking industry has experienced over the years. We are convinced it will make for an interesting and insightful read. Grab some popcorn and fresh juice and walk with us.
You must know that GPS tracking technology comes in two parts. The Hardware part which is the GPS Tracking device itself AND the Software part, which is the Global Positioning System. Basically, the Tracking device feeds off the Global Positioning System. This is what I mean, the GPS System provides raw Location data and accurate timing while the Tracking device through its GPS Receptor captures signals from the GPS Satellites(Signals containing Location Data) and goes ahead to relay this information usually through a cellular means of communication to a pre-designed Platform.
In other words, the GPS Tracker relies solely on the GPS System to provide raw location/positioning data. Without the Global Positioning System, a tracking device is just about as useless as a boil in the armpit.
THE STORY BEHIND THE CONCEPTION OF THE GPS SYSTEM IDEA AND ITS PROLIFERATION
Before talking about the Evolution of GPS Tracking devices (Trackers) , let’s briefly delve into a brief history of the Global Positioning Satellite System itself. Global Positioning System popularly referred to as GPS is a Satellite-based navigation system. The system involves the reliance on a network of Satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude of at least 11,000 Miles. These Satellites transmit signals that include but not limited to precise time and location information.
The GPS idea was first conceived and brought to life by the United States Military in 1973. The main reason for the birth of this technology arose from the need for accuracy in Military navigation. The available Navigation technology at the time had lots of limitations and this was largely inhibiting the navigation activities of the U.S Army.
Long before this Technology became available for Civilian use, the United States Military relied upon it for accurate positioning and Navigation accuracy for their assets across the face of the Earth. The GPS Technology was solely intended for the United States Military use, there were no plans to make it available for public or commercial use.
However, a tragic incidence that happened in the year 1983 prompted the then U.S President, Ronald Reagan to authorize the release of the GPS Technology for civilian use. It happened that in 1983, a Korean Airline, Boeing 747, and Flight 007 was shot down by a Soviet interceptor Aircraft after it mistakenly entered the Soviet Airspace. All 269 innocent occupants of the Aircraft died as a result of this. It was such a tragic occurrence that shook the entire world at the time. All the casualties were civilians who had nothing to do with the COLD WAR.
In the aftermath of this tragic incidence and in a bid to prevent future recurrence of similar navigational errors and also to help improve general Air safety, President Ronald Reagan at the time declared the GPS Technology available for public use albeit a degradation of its accuracy.
The initial GPS technology released to the public was intentionally limited in its accuracy in a bid to allow the United States Military maintain a significant advantage in the usage of the technology. After all, it is theirs and they were only being generous to humanity by allowing the Public benefit from it. The system that allowed the U.S Military maintain a significant advantage in the usage of the technology by reducing the accuracy of the GPS system version released to the public was called “SELECTIVE AVAILABILITY’. The Actually, the explanation the United States Military gave at the time made a lot of sense, they said it was a National Security measure to prevent the enemies of America from using the full precision of the GPS system designed by the United States Military for their own Military activities.
The accuracy limitation was in place until the year 2000 when the United States Military finally decided to discontinue Selective accuracy in the public version, thereby granting unfettered accuracy access to the public. By year 2000, the United States Military had become convinced that they could conveniently achieve their security objectives without having to hold on to full accuracy of the GPS system. This decision was largely influenced by the rapid advancements they had recorded in Military technology.
The singular decision to make this Technology Public has no doubt significantly contributed to the phenomenal advancements in the development of the GPS system, stemming from its widespread adoption across various sectors, both in the hardware space and software space.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT
Today’s GPS Trackers are a lot more accurate and highly dependable due to the sophistication of their signal receptors and durability of its components. This was not always the case as the early GPS Tracking devices were largely plagued with interference and bouts of signal losses.
The early GPS Tracking devices were large in size and difficult to conceal. Some were twice as large as a mobile phone, but as time went by, designers and innovators became more creative. Today’s GPS Trackers are a lot smaller than they used to be, making it easier to conceal them, thereby expanding the scope of their applications. An example that readily comes to mind is covert operations by intelligence and security agencies.
It is important to mention that we currently do not have button sized GPS Trackers like the types portrayed in movies but it is expected to become a reality in the not so distant future judging by the cutting edge technology currently at the disposal of industry operators.
Even the GPS tracking software/platform are a lot more advanced. Today’s GPS Tracking software/platforms allow users to perform lots of advanced tasks and functionalities that transcend just reporting vehicle/asset location. Today’s GPS Tracking software is capable of relaying on the screens, functionalities such as weather forecasting, fuel usage monitoring, driving patterns, vehicle movement history, Geo fencing and so much more. Also, the first generation Software/platform could only allow you track only one vehicle at a time but today’s GPS software/platform makes it possible for businesses to track hundreds of thousands of vehicles all at once and on just one screen.
Another critical area where there has been laudable improvement is the internal battery system of Today’s GPS Trackers. The first generation GPS Trackers had very poor internal batteries that couldn’t last more than a few hours. This meant that they constantly relied on a power source and constantly needed charging. However, Today’s GPS Trackers have stronger internal batteries that could last for more than a month. With the advancements and potentials of battery technology, it is expected that future GPS Trackers will have even better and stronger internal battery system.
AFFORDABILITY
Worthy of mention is the affordability of the GPS Tracking technology. This Technology that is now easily accessible to millions of businesses and individuals never use to be this affordable, but with advancing technology came lesser production cost, other factors like increased market contribution, Economies of scale all contributed in no small measure to its affordability. There used to be a time when the GPS Technology was a luxury explicitly reserved for only large business corporations and covert government agencies. A lot has since changed as it is now one of the cheapest and most easily accessible advanced technologies in the market.
CONCLUSION
The GPS Technology industry is in a rapid and constant state of development, so much so that it makes it challenging for impassionate industry players to catch up with it. The application of the GPS Technology has now gone past vehicle tracking. We now have Tracking systems that are capable of carrying out predictive vehicle maintenance operation, automated itinerary planning, and fleet management and so on.
The most recent GPS trackers in the market are 5G Network compatible thereby making data transmission faster and a lot more reliable. Lots of businesses are already tapping into the never seen before accuracy and data transmission speed being offered by 5G network compatible Trackers
The part you will find the most pleasantly surprising is the current trend of AI (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) integration into GPS Trackers. The AI powered GPS Trackers in the market right now are helping businesses gain new insights into complex operational dynamics, analysis of data collected on and off field and in transit.
The future of the GPS Tracking Technology industry is indeed very bright. The fast paced technological advancements that the industry has experienced in the last decade is a good sign and an indication of how a lot more will change in the coming years, especially about how businesses, corporations and government agencies use this technology.
One thing you can be assured of is that www.cartrackernigeria.ng will always be at the fore front in the adoption of these technological advancements and innovations and that we will always be well primed to offer them to you and your businesses as they unfold.