Once upon a time if you lost your keys, you’d spend minutes, maybe even hours, frantically looking for them. Often, you didn’t even realize they were misplaced until you were headed out the door, and there you were, frantically scrambling around your home trying to find them. Well, today that scenario might play out differently. Instead of immediately becoming frantic, you might just whip out your smartphone and ping the lost item.
Believe it or not, the technology that enables the example above has its roots in the development of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which began in the 1950s! Scientists at the time, who were studying the Soviet Union’s Sputnik satellite in 1957 realized they could determine locations through the Doppler effect of radio signals. This ultimately led to the development and launch by the U.S. Navy in 1960, of the world’s first global satellite navigation system. The first GPS tracking devices were invented around 1968 and development progressed through the 60s, 70s, and 80s when commercial GPS technology became a reality.
The technology experienced another “growth spurt” in the 2000s when the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in 2002, mandated location features in mobile phones for emergency services to locate 911 callers. In 2004, Qualcomm successfully completed tests of live assisted GPS on mobile phones, allowing cellular and GPS signals to combine for better location accuracy. By 2015, 64 percent of adult Americans owned a smartphone, up from just 35 percent in early 2011, making location tracking widely accessible to consumers.
It’s now become so ubiquitous that you can find location tracking devices and apps just about everywhere for just about everything. They’re in cars, smartphones, wearables, smart home devices and stores. They take the form of trackers, apps, AirTags, and monitors. Familiar examples include Google Maps, Apple Find My, Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Tile, AirTag, OnStar, FordPass, Alexa, Google Home, RFID tags in retail, asset tracking, and more.
Thanks to this technology, we are becoming more interconnected than ever before. The way we navigate, communicate, and interact with the world around us has totally changed as it has become easier, thanks to continued development in GPS technology. For example, we are now able to support loved ones to live independently longer through elder care monitoring. We can get to places quicker with navigation systems that provide real-time route optimization and turn-by-turn directions. We can monitor our fitness and health to track our steps, routes, and exercise intensity. We can use this technology to help locate missing persons, pets, lost phones, or stolen vehicles.
As location-tracking technology has become more powerful and convenient, it’s clear that we’re living in a time where finding things—and even people—is easier than ever before. What was once the stuff of science fiction is now part of our daily lives. Whether it’s pinging our keys from our phone, tracking our teenager’s whereabouts, or getting turn-by-turn directions to a new restaurant, location tracking has revolutionized how we move through the world. It supports safety and independence for the elderly, helps parents keep an eye on their kids, and gives peace of mind to travelers and commuters alike. Businesses benefit too, using the technology to manage deliveries, track assets, and improve customer experiences. With more devices and apps using location services, the integration of GPS, Bluetooth, cellular signals, and Wi-Fi has created an ecosystem of tools designed to help us live more efficiently and stay connected. There’s no denying that location tracking has become an essential part of how we function in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
But for all of its advantages, location-tracking technology isn’t without its drawbacks—and those are just as important to consider. As we embrace the convenience of always knowing where our things and loved ones are, we must also ask: are we sacrificing anything for this convenience? Issues like data privacy, unauthorized surveillance, and over-dependence on technology are increasingly coming to the forefront. There are also concerns about how this technology can be misused—by marketers, hackers, or even individuals with harmful intent. And let’s not forget the psychological impact of being constantly “locatable.” In Part 2 of this article, we’ll explore the potential downsides of location tracking, highlight real-world examples of misuse, and offer practical tips for using this powerful technology wisely and responsibly. Stay tuned!!
Courtesy, Karen Clay