7 Ways GPS Is Beneficial to Us in Today's World

GPS stands for 'Global Positioning System.' It is found everywhere, from our phones to our vehicles. GPS uses signals transmitted by satellites to pinpoint a single device's location. It will follow the device as it moves and provides real-time location updates. GPS was, at first, developed by the U.S. Department of Defence exclusively for military usage. Now, it is widely available to everybody and is used by governments from across the world.

This article will tell you seven ways that GPS is beneficial to us in today's world.

Car Theft and Crime

Over the last decade, GPS has been used to deter and resolve instances of theft. From cars to phones, there is no limit to what GPS can be fitted to. High-end car manufacturers usually all include GPS in their automobiles. GPS ensures that if their vehicles are stolen from the dealership's forecourt or the car's new owner's driveway, they can be located and returned. Similarly, mobile phones have tracking systems that allow people to find their devices. GPS has made criminal investigations of this nature much easier to resolve.

Safety and Risk Prevention

Picture this: You're driving in the middle of the desert, and your car breaks down. Potential breakdowns would be a massive issue and a potential risk to your safety in years past. Now, it is quickly resolved with GPS. You can phone for help and give the emergency services or a mechanic your exact coordinates. Some higher-end GPS devices will contact emergency services for you if you do not have a signal on your phone. GPS has removed the risk presented to travelers on long journeys. GPS in cell phones has also helped the police track down people kidnapped, injured, or murdered.

Weather Alerts

GPS technology has allowed people to keep up to date with the weather. Travelers in years past would rely on local radio stations and word of mouth to find out whether or not the weather would take a turn for the worst and disrupt their journey. Now, with GPS technology, you can watch storms, rain, and snow live on the internet. You can also stay up to date with weather from all around the world. In addition, with more advanced GPS devices, you can choose to be notified if you enter an area with bad weather.

Travel Options

GPS allows travelers to update their routes according to traffic, weather, or disruptions. Waze, for example, a satellite navigation application, keeps its users updated with the latest travel news, including car accidents and travel disruptions, and it will provide alternative routes to avoid these disruptions. It will also notify its users about speed cameras, police speed traps, and cars parked on the side of the road. Now, travelers have far more options in terms of routes than they did in the past. GPS is to thank for that.

Fleet Tracking

Fleet tracking benefits businesses and consumers. For example, when you have a parcel due for delivery, you can track it in real-time and watch it as the driver makes his way to you. Similarly, business owners can keep track of their fleet. The manufacturers of the SATX magnetic GPS tracking device say, in their article, that in 2014 nearly 112,000 heavy equipment thefts occurred in the United States. Very few of these items were returned by law enforcement. GPS technology like CameraMatics vehicle camera systems guarantees businesses that their fleets, whether diggers, cranes, trucks, or vans, stay protected and cannot be stolen. 

Exercise Monitoring

Most exercise applications employ GPS. GPS technology allows you to track your progress and compare it to the previous exercises. For example, if you run an extra mile today, GPS technology will tell you that. Thus, technology helps people stay fit and know where they stand in terms of the intensity of their exercise. As more and more people turn to exercise to fight back against the COVID-19 virus, exercise applications will grow in demand.

Military Application

The military still uses the GPS. GPS allows the military to keep track of soldiers, equipment, and their enemies. It has proven to be an invaluable resource in the fight against terror. While the U.S developed GPS, it is accessible for anybody to use. Because of this, militaries from across the world use GPS. Since it was first made operational in 1995, GPS has never been deactivated. It is a reliable asset to the military and will continue to be used for many years to come.

GPS, as this article has shown, is crucially important to the modern world. Without it, many of us would be at a loss. More and more technology companies are beginning to integrate GPS technology into their devices. If you are not familiar with it now, you soon will be!