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GPS tracking and navigation technology has become a valuable part of our modern society. It has helped us respond to emergencies faster, recovery stolen property, and navigate air and ground traffic more safely. These are only a few of the important functions GPS tracking serve. The technology is only possible because of a constellation of satellites orbiting our planet. Signals are sent from devices on Earth up to the satellites in space, which are used to measure exact location data.

As we’re all taught in grade school, the Earth spins on it’s access once every 24 hour period, which is why the sun rises and sets so regularly. The Earth also rotates around the sun over a period of a year. GPS tracking and navigation data depends on accurately predicting the position of Earth on its axis. Unfortunately, small and large forces cause Earth to wobble, which affects the accuracy of GPS navigation systems. Factors such as gravity, atmospheric pressure, wind and earthquakes all affect Earth’s position on its axis.

Scientists are working hard to predict the actual location of Earth on its axis. In the mid-1990s, researchers from Germany and New Zealand joined forces to track the Earth’s wobble. “We also wanted to develop an alternative that would enable us to eliminate any systematic errors,” said Karl Ulrich Schreiber. “After all, there was always a possibility that the reference points in space were not actually stationary.” The team did encounter its share of skepticism. “At the same time, we were almost laughed off. Hardly anyone thought that our project was feasible.” Schreiber stated.

By the turn of the century, the team began work on the world’s most stable ring laser in the Wettzell Geodetic Observatory in Southeast Germany. “The principle is simple.” Schreiber explained. “The biggest challenge was ensuring that the laser remains stable enough for us to measure the weak geophysical signal without interference — especially over a period of several months.” The project was successful, but Schreiber is still looking for ways to make the data more accurate. “In [the] future,” said Schreiber, “we want to be able to just pop down into the basement and find out how fast the Earth is accurately turning right now.”

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These are hard times for the criminal element. Unfortunately, it’s fairly safe to assume that times are generally hard for the criminal element, which is why they’ve resorted to high-risk sources of income. With the introduction of GPS tracking, it is becoming more and more difficult to get away with theft. It seems that at least once a week there is a story in the news about police using GPS tracking to recover stolen property. Often, the property is recovered while in the possession of the criminal, hopefully teaching a hard-won lesson to the unlucky thieves. Just last week, GPS tracking was used to locate equipment stolen from Chesapeake Energy still in the pickup of the culprit.

One of the services police provide is recovering stolen property. Unfortunately, all too many theft incidents end up with no resolution. If there is no evidence left at the scene of the crime, there isn’t much police can do to help. It is up to the owner to sufficiently protect his or her property with security measures, like surveillance cameras and GPS devices. Fortunately, Chesapeake Energy took precautions by installing GPS into their valuable equipment.

“Chesapeake Energy is utilizing all available resources to assist law enforcement in making arrests of those individuals stealing oilfield assets such as batteries, solar panels, gas pipe, compressors, meters, and tubing,” said J. Anthony Sweeney, Chesapeake Energy’s senior security officer.

A GPS tracking device installed in the stolen battery of a solar panel was tracked to the parking lot of a Little General store, in a GMC pickup owned by 35-year-old Danny Lee Buckley. Buckley admitted to the theft and was arrested. The stolen equipment was valued at $2,000 and returned to the energy company. “This has been a collaborative, successful effort between the West Virginia State Police and Chesapeake Energy Security, and we’re pulling our resources and expertise together to recover these stolen assets,” said Sweeney.

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Channel coach, Stuart Selbst, has a lot to be proud of this year. Since February 2011, dedication, hard work and modern science allowed Selbst to drop a whopping 146 pounds of body fat. His success story began when he noticed his weight had spun so out of control that he was 400 pounds and morbidly obese. Selbst credits his success to weight loss surgery and a much needed change in his exercise and dieting habits. He underwent a procedure called a Sleeve Gastronomy, which required a liquid diet for the 2.5 weeks prior, in order to reduce the fat around his liver. However, in order to keep weight off, Selbst needed to make some serious and permanent lifestyle changes.

Exercise is a very important component of staying healthy and minimizing fat storage. After struggling to make it to the gym regularly, Selbst turned to his smartphone for help. “I did join the gym, but bad habits don’t go away. I didn’t like going so I cancelled my membership. One of the things that I enjoy doing is getting in my walk/run. Each day my wife and I doing two to four miles. We track our walking with Nike+ GPS,” Selbst said in a recent interview. The app is available at the iTunes store for only $1.99, much more reasonable than a monthly gym membership, and uses the iPhone’s GPS tracking features to monitor work outs.

The Nike+ GPS app is currently only available on Apple devices running iOS 4.0 or later, but there are several similar running apps that use similar GPS tracking features of other phones and devices. The user simply turns on the app when starting the workout, and the GPS tracking technology maps out the run. Users can monitor lots of useful data about their workout, such as distance and speed to improve their performance. The Nike+ GPS app is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Portuguese.

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GPS tracking technology has come a long way. Location tracking and navigation were once limited to maps and routes outlined by pen. The technology was eventually improved by radio signals which can measure long distances and detect other radio signals. GPS tracking is simply an extension of the radio technology. Instead of measure radio signals on Earth, where countless interferences occur, like storms and mountains, the signals are coming from satellites in space. However, with each new improvement in technology, new limitations are revealed.

The next advancement in location tracking technology is indoor location tracking. Unfortunately, despite the incredible accuracy provided by GPS tracking, the technology is limited when devices are inside buildings. GPS requires a line of sight to best receive signals, meaning that walls and ceilings interfere with the tracking signals. Google was the first to develop and launch indoor position tracking with their “My Location” feature in Google Maps. The technology works by analyzing radio signals and/or Wi-Fi hotspots. Alternatively, indoor tracking could be achieved by measuring the device’s distance from the closest trackable GPS location, like a building’s doorway.

“This area is set to explode,” suggests Grizzly Analytics founder, Bruce Krulwich. “It’s the logical next step for what people are using phones for.” Several companies have filed patents involving the development of indoor tracking technology. According to research conducted by Grizzly Analytics, Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Qualcomm and Research In Motion (RIM), all have developed significant research for indoor tracking. Krulwich adds that although Google has a first-mover advantage, the research developed by Microsoft and Nokia make it quite “likely someone else will come out with something better.” He predicts that Microsoft and Nokia will launch a similar service sometime in 2012.

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Traffic jams are a problem all year, but they seem to peak around the holidays, particularly around airports and shopping malls. Around the end of the year, the roads become packed with shoppers and holiday travelers. When combined with the stress many people feel around this time of year, driving is especially dangerous. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently developed a mobile application called Know Before You Go, which uses GPS tracking and map technology to inform drivers about traffic conditions. That way, people can avoid traffic jams if possible, or at least be more prepared for delays.

“We are constantly working to have a zero-fatality transportation system and [the program] is a key component of that plan,” said Ananth Prasad, FDOT Secretary. “Knowing about what’s ahead on the road can help travelers stay calm, make wise decisions and even choose a less congested route.” The app is available for the iPhone, iPod and iPad, and uses GPS tracking information to provide traffic conditions within 200 miles of their route.

Congested areas are indicated with a red pin, and even displays video of the jam wherever possible. Users are also encouraged to report unlisted traffic jams to the FDOT through a voice file. The GPS tracking technology of the user’s phone automatically sends the exact location data to the department.

Police and FDOT developers stress the “Before You Go” instruction in the title. Using the app while driving is dangerous, and at the very least, could result in a ticket. “I always recommend ‘Know Before You Go,’” said 511 Public Information Officer Vicky Mixson. “It’s important that people are not distracted when they’re driving. We always say look at the app before you leave, or have a passenger do it.” According to Mixson, the app has already been downloaded an estimated 25 thousand times. She predicts that the app is the future of personal traffic management, saying “It’s the next wave of how traffic information should be decimated.

Photo By Sebamirum Via Flickr Creative Commons

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5-year-old Jhessye Shockley was reported missing in Glendale, AZ, 6 weeks ago by her mother, Jerice Hunter. Unfortunately, as with all too many missing persons cases, Shockley is believed to be dead. According to the Glendale police, her body is somewhere in the Butterfield Landfill. This sad story just keeps getting sadder, as the primary suspect is the victim’s own mother. Jerice Hunter, despite being the one who reported her daughter missing, is suspected of causing Jhessye’s death. The mother then allegedly disposed of the body in a dumpster in Tempe, which was eventually transported to the landfill.

Jerice Hunter was recently released from an arrest in November on child abuse charges related to Jhessye. Not surprisingly, many people learning about this story are very angry that Hunter is out of jail. Pages are popping up on Facebook, calling Hunter a monster. Undisclosed evidence also has police fairly certain of Hunter’s guilt, which has resulted in a search of her apartment, as well as finding GPS tracking devices attached to her vehicle.

Despite the general outrage expressed by most people learning of this tragic story, some people are defending Hunter, and have even befriended her. “[We] visited her while she was in jail and basically told her that we were there to show her the love of God and to give her spiritual guidance.” said one supporter, who wished to remain anonymous. When Hunter was released from jail, the woman continued to help Hunter run errands, and was quite surprised to find a GPS tracking device attached to her car.

A device was also found on her husbands car and on another woman’s car, who was helping Hunter. The third woman thought perhaps the device was part of her airbag system, and took her car into the dealership to have it looked at. When she was at the dealership, a police officer jumped out of his car and snatched the GPS tracking device out of her hand, saying “Give me my property back.” The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deciding the constitutionality of warrantless GPS tracking, which would certainly affect this case, should Jerice Hunter find herself back in court.

Photo by MegaBu7 Via Flicr Creative Commons

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Michael Padova, 31, knew he had something to worry about when he asked for the status of his package in transit from the post office he was employed at as a janitor, but not in the way he expected.  Padova had ordered a shipment of 10.2 ounces of the drug ecstasy from Vancouver, Canada.  He thought that having it shipped to “Sam Schmidt” at an address a quarter mile away from his actual residence would be enough to keep the package from being traced back to him, but was mistaken.

Padova’s troubles started back in San Francisco, when it was randomly selected for inspection and sent through the X-ray machine.  Something appeared suspicious, and upon opening the package, discovered a powder which tested positive for ecstasy.  As the address was across the country in Florida, it went along to the Fort Myers Post Office where the county sheriffs office had one of their technicians install a GPS tracking device to catch the recipient red-handed.  Also included in the package is a special “tracker dye” that is only visible with a black light, and only appears on those who touch the item (in this case, the ecstasy inside the package.)

Padova actually inquired on the status of the package using the tracking number provided by the post office, making him an instant suspect.  However, authorities were puzzled that not only did the name not match (Schmidt), the address on the package did not match up with Padova’s address.  He may have been a suspect, but they weren’t quite sure what role Padova played in the grand scheme of the operation.

Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations agents delivered the package later that afternoon and saw three women take the package and enter the home.  However, the transmitter contained inside the package did not show the package had been opened, meaning authorities did not yet have the green light to head in and make an arrest.  A quarter mile away, Padova arrived home, went inside, and then left again with his dog.  Soon after, the three women who had picked up the package entered Padova’s apartment.  He returned back home minutes later.

Finally the authorities received information from the GPS unit that the package was inside his apartment, and about five minutes later, that the package was being opened.  They made their move, announcing their presence as they knocked on the door.  Padova, ignorant to the fact the package had been tracked, allowed them inside where they inspected his hands using a black light.  There was the tracking dye, catching him “red handed.”  Luckily, he was smart enough to confess to authorities, agreeing to cooperate any way they needed him to and was then taken into custody.

Padova was charged with illegal importation of MDMA, bail was set at $100,000.  He is currently awaiting a trial date.  If found guilty, he could spend anywhere from five to 40 years in prison.  Both the defense lawyer and prosecutor have declined to comment.

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Food trucks are something of a staple in New York City. Just a few miles across the river, food trucks have been popping up in Hoboken, New Jersey too. This past summer, Hoboken residents benefited from a bevvy of great food trucks, and food truck owners benefited from tidy profits. While food trucks will be allowed to line up on city streets again this summer, the laws in Hoboken have changed drastically. Now, food truck owners must choose between a four-day parking permit or a seven-day parking permit. In addition, all food trucks in Hoboken must be equipped with a GPS tracker.

Prior to this new law, food vendors each paid $500 for a food cart permit. Now, vendors will have to shell out $1600 for a 4-day permit and $2500 for a seven-day permit. In addition, the cost of a GPS tracker must be considered.Why do vendors need to have GPS trackers? The city of Hoboken told press that GPS is the only way for law enforcement to keep track of trucks…and enforce vendor laws in the process.

Needless to say, many vendors are outraged by these new prices. Further, most people who run food trucks simply can’t afford these prices — consider the vendor who wants to park in Hoboken for one month!

As a result of these new laws, many food vendors are leaving the Hoboken area. Even though Hoboken residents support food trucks in droves, the revenues generated from food sales are not enough to keep vendors afloat. Many food truck vendors will be moving to different parts of New Jersey, and some will take a chance in NYC. While the cost of running a food cart is on the low side (as compared to running a restaurant), these prices are simply too steep for those slinging good eats to adhere to.

If you live in Hoboken, you can expect to find a lot less food truck offerings this year as compared to last year. Seemingly, if you want to grab some food from your favorite food cart, you may have to drive to Brooklyn or some other NYC borough.

Photo by Phillip Pessar via Flickr Creative Commons

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Since the shortest day of the year has officially passed, you can expect to see sunnier days ahead. As the summertime draws closer, the days will become longer (maybe you’ve noticed this already!). If you, like most people, don’t enjoy being surrounded by darkness throughout the wintertime, news that the sunshine will be staying longer is great news. Not only does this mean more Vitamin D consumption (and better skiing days!), it also means that scientists in Ellicott City, Maryland, will be able to harness solar power better than ever before.

How? With the help of GPS tracking technology, of course! The solar panels that are currently attached to the George Howard Building in Ellicott City will follow the sun, quite literally. These panels are equipped with GPS trackers that track the movement of the sun. When sunshine is detected, the solar panels move in the direction of the sun’s rays, which allows the panels to capture as much sunshine as possible. The result is a set of solar panels that are far more efficient than any other solar panels out there.

Scientists have told press that the new solar panels can gain up to 30% more electricity (through sunlight) than any other panels on the market. The Ellicott panels are currently being tested, but, so far, the panels work like a charm. This solar experiment could mean that future panels will follow the sunshine instead of simply waiting to capture any rays that pass by.

If you are considering adding solar panels to your home, I recommend waiting to see what comes of these GPS-equipped panels. It’s safe to assume that GPS-powered solar panels may soon become the hottest eco-friendly product on the market. For now, sit back and enjoy the emerging sunshine!

Photo by Visions of Domino Through Flickr Creative Commons

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GPS tracking has long been used for the purpose of tracking cargo shipments. By giving shippers the ability to monitor a cargo location at any point in its journey, tracking technology can save money, prevent theft and smuggling, and ensure timely delivery of cartons around the world. But despite their stellar track record, the devices may soon decline in use, at least among shippers in the European Union.
Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon has proposed that cheaper, less sophisticated radio frequency identification (RFID) technology be used alongside GPS systems in order to evaluate whether the costlier devices actually offer substantial benefit. RFID readers would be installed in ports and warehouses, while cargo shipments would be equipped with chips that could be scanned at each departure and arrival. This information would allow authorities to flag shipments if they took longer than expected to reach an intended destination and to investigate causes for delay.

The problem, in the minds of many industry leaders, is that RFID chips do not provide real-time location information. Unlike GPS devices, RFID technology can only supervise expected arrivals and departures, with no way to pinpoint locations in between. If a shipment is diverted, stolen, or lost, the recovery procedure becomes much more complicated without a real-time location to monitor.
The goal of the Customs Bureau is to increase the security and efficiency of shipping procedures while at the same time reducing costs. If the plan of the Customs Commissioner goes through, it will stipulate that RFID devices be used alongside current GPS technology in order to determine whether GPS tracking could be replaced while still maintaining the same level of security. As departments across the spectrum face budget cuts, Commisioner Biazon must find ways to perform the duties of the Customs Bureau at lower cost.
Proponents of GPS tracking, however, argue that this is one area which cannot afford the decrease in security that would accompany the RFID technology. The EU stands ready to provide logistical information regarding the use of GPS technology in order to demonstrate its benefits as compared to RFID chips and readers. The proposal is still in the information-gathering stage, and no final decisions have been made regarding which steps the Customs Bureau will take. Ultimately, GPS offers the ability to more closely monitor shipments in transit, an essential part of reducing theft and smuggling as shipments enter and leave EU nations.

Photo by Motiqua via Flickr Creative Commons

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