Using a GPS Navigation System in Your Car

GPS navigation systems are nothing new; they have been in use ever since the first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.  GPS has many military and civilian applications, but one of the biggest is navigation. 

Putting a GPS navigation system in an automobile, however, is a little different than using one in an airplane.  Automobile transportation is dependent on roads.  In fact, GPS readings, which are given in latitude, longitude and altitude, are useless when you’re driving to Aunt Mabel’s.  Automobiles also go through tunnels and urban canyons, which can block satellite signals.  So something a little different is required for automobile GPS navigation systems.

People have seen the potential for automobile GPS navigation systems for years, and have tried various ways to implement one.  In 1983, Honda released an automobile navigation system that was based on an accelerometer, not on GPS.  It wasn’t until 1990 that an automobile GPS system was released by Pioneer.  Automobile GPS Navigation systems still didn’t really come into use until Magellan released its version in the US in 1995.

Automobile GPS Navigation System Components

An automobile GPS Navigation System requires a GPS receiver and a map database.  Some systems also have drive train sensors to supplement when GPS signals are blocked for brief periods.

The map database converts the GPS coordinates into map locations, such as street names and addresses.  Some map databases contain GPS coordinates for specific locations, such as points of interest or rest stops.  It’s the information in the database, however, that directs you to your location, either visually or by voice.  Which means your GPS navigation system is only as good as your map database.

Commercial Applications

GPS navigation systems are used commercially to track and dispatch vehicles.  In some cities, taxis are equipped with GPS navigation systems.  Dispatchers can see where all the taxis are, and dispatch them more efficiently than before. 

Commercial shipping companies love GPS navigation systems.  Not only can they track where their trucks are at all times, but they can give the customer a tracking number, so that the customer can track individual packages.

GPS navigation systems are being used in more and more situations where vehicles are dispatched.  The dispatcher can keep track of all the vehicles and dispatch efficiently, as with the taxis described above.  They can also keep track of how long each service call or stop takes, and can see if the driver makes any unscheduled stops.

Automobile GPS navigation systems are being improved and refined continuously, making them more and more valuable all the time.  They may one day be standard equipment in all automobiles.