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By Greg Bartlett

GPS trackers can sometimes recover the most precious of things. On the night of Sunday, August 16th, Hahn-Bin Yoo was riding in the backseat of a cab on its way into New York. The 22-year-old South Korean-born violinist was exhausted after spending the weekend in the Hamptons and practicing at a local theatre. Next to him on the seat was a $500,000 violin built by the 19th century master Pressenda, whose surviving instruments are considered history as well as art. The violin was borrowed, so when Yoo realized later that he had left it behind in the taxi, he was more than a little upset.

Fortunately, the Taxi and Limousine Commission of New York recently installed GPS trackers on their fleet of vehicles, which allowed them to identify which cab had taken the route Yoo said he traveled the previous evening. The driver, Dalbir Singh, was more than happy to return the violin, which was still in the backseat where Yoo left it.

GPS trackers are increasingly finding their way into taxis as companies realize the benefits of the technology. Recovering lost items is a plus, but fleet tracking systems also provide a way for management to ensure drivers are keeping to their assigned areas and taking the best routes for their passengers. Drivers can also look back at tracking data and see which streets gave them the most business. The information improves the company’s efficiency and identifies ways to better serve its customers.

In this case, instrument and artist were reunited, thanks to a little footwork and a conveniently placed GPS tracker. Yoo was certainly grateful. The New York Daily News quoted him as saying, “It is like recovering a lost baby.” Maybe next time he’ll keep the instrument in a kiddie carrier.