GPS Technology for Cars

The car industry is a clear reflection of all the recent and hi-tech advancements and developments. With so many innovations coming up, car industry has also show a paradigm shift from simple commuting to comfort, luxury and ease. One such known innovation is the Global Positioning System (GPS).

GPS is a navigational aid originally developed for the army, forces and military. It is a simple device that helps to search a particular location on the map. The technology uses a number of satellites to send and receive transmission data.

The system comprises of 24 satellites that revolve around the earth’s orbit twice per day. These satellites are monitored by ground stations located at various sites on earth. The main purpose of these ground stations is to update, verify and correct the navigational signals of the satellites. After the signals and messages from the satellites are verified and monitored, these are received by the receivers installed in the vehicle.

The GPS software installed in the vehicle interprets the signal. This interpretation also identifies the signal sending satellite, the location of the satellite and the time signal took to reach the receiver. After that the receiver determines the actual position.

Three satellites form an intersection to pinpoint the location and a fourth satellite plays a role to verify the accuracy of the position. Accuracy level is influenced by the harmonization of atomic clocks present in the satellites with those present in the GPS System.

GPS system installed in cars provide useful information about the car’s actual position, best road to the destination, traffic areas and even display the time required to reach a particular destination. The driver just needs to target a location and the software will calculate the optimum distance and route immediately. Some advanced maps will also display information on the nearest supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, food centres and ATM machines. Apart from the display on the dashboard, some GPS system also has voice instructions to guide drivers to their route.

GPS also aids to track the car mileage and car speed. It also helps in recovery of stolen cars as it gives complete information on all the destinations where the car has been stopped and for how long. These way car owners are able to track their cars if stolen or if taken by their drivers for some work.

Currently, there are only few Indian cars that are compatible to GPS technology. The luxury brands like Mercedes Benz and BMW have most of their cars fitted with this technology but other Indian car manufacturers are on their way to make their new cars compatible to GPS technology.

Recently, Volvo has brought an innovative technology known as Road Traffic Information to India. This works on the concept of GPS and helps the car driver to search a set destination through unfamiliar roads and traffic environments. The system is available at an additional cost of Rs 1.5 lakh.

GPS technology is gaining popularity in Indian cars. It is believed that the in-car navigation system is soon to enter some major Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chandigarh.