A GPS Monster
Texas A&M University

Abstract

GPS is a widely used phenomenon that seems to have no boundaries. From finding the quickest route home through traffic to alerting the authorities on missing persons’ whereabouts, both can be attributed to GPS implementation to almost all electronic devices. These so called shortcuts in life that this innovation brings us are limitless, but I firmly believe that we still need to be educated on the concepts for which it was created. It is a scary thought to think that the upcoming generation could be sent back to the Stone Age with a simple flip of the switch. Using innovation to enhance our lives is gratifying is nothing else, but let us not allow our total existence to be determined through our iPhone.

Maps, what are those? You will not need maps where we are going. At any given moment we are somewhere according to a specific fixed location, unless you are on the fixed point then you are here. The literal point is that since 1997 anyone with a synced device with a relay transponder has the ability to precisely locate anything or anyone that has the transponder. This system of tracking locations is called a global positioning system, GPS. “Eighteen satellites, six in each of three orbital planes spaced 120º apart, and their ground stations, formed the original GPS. GPS uses these "man-made stars" or satellites as reference points to calculate geographical positions, accurate to a matter of meters” (Bellis). To most it is not that complex, in actuality most probably do not know or understand that process. Most users know GPS as a button on their smart phone. But how did our society go from a passenger flipping a paper map around and around to speaking a destination, only to have an app use GPS to guide you through any and all obstacles including traffic. Well there are five intrinsic characteristics of innovation: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trailability, and observability. The application of these factors according to Everett Rogers will make or break an innovation.
The previous generation of tracking a specific route or location, was limited to our ability to map out an area using longitude and latitude. That being said we still use that system as building blocks for an instantaneous search and find application of that data. For example, it is important that we understand how one might solve for the square root of pie, and taking it to the one thousandth digit could take forever. So instead we use a calculator to expedite our math, much like how we now use many different electronic devices to access our location in mere seconds. Some of us may remember a time when “our car vacations started with my dad would going down to the AAA and get maps with our route highlighted in yellow” (Sreenivasen). Arguments can be made that newer technology is not always better, but in this case there really is no comparison.
Being compatible always helps in any relationship. Now explaining for example to a spouse why “what you have to offer is what he or she wants” may seem impossible, but the necessity for that connection is still valid. In the world we live in people are constantly moving and meeting, and how our daily interactions would be if we all had paper maps with yellow lines on them. Forget about changing the location of a meeting at the last minute, all hell would break loose, map flipping and all. The point here is, we all are very reliant on our whereabouts and accessing that information via GPS is instrumental in our success.
As mentioned earlier, this innovation can be as simple as a pressing a single button on a device that we all use daily. When a product or idea is new and hits the public market a vast majority of our population falls in to the early and late adopters, which translates to make it user friendly. The idea of a GPS device was truly one of a kind, but since the inventing of GPS, its applications have been the backbone of near all electronic marvels. So, it in itself is extremely simple, now how someone chooses to apply it, well that is up for debate. One creation riding the GPS shirttail is self-driving cars. To me it does not get any simpler than saying “go home”. The originator of GPS Brad Parkinson has alluded to this idea in conjunction with Google by saying “As google has already demonstrated, robotic cars are already here” (McNicoll). You can argue whether this is good or bad, but the idea that this is possible via GPS is undeniable.
The truest test that innovation will face is trailability. From day one GPS was implemented into dozens of inventions from auto navigation to precise estimated time of arrival and everything in between. One of the more interesting uses of GPS comes from an earthquake forecasting system. The people living in Costa Rica in 2012 received reports that there was a high probability of a large earthquake soon to hit. The where and how big are very precise; however the timing remains just a probability, a probability that saved thousands of lives. Geophysicist Andrew Newman worked closely on this project saying “We now have the ability to very clearly identify areas that are locked up and building up energy for large earthquakes” (Oskin). Of course that example is more on a serious note, but on the lighter side I have found a way to fill up every minute of every day with something. Needless to say my time is valuable, as I am sure yours is as well. With the induction of GPS into cell phones, I now possess the capability to accomplish my entire daily tasks, and make home in time for the evening football game. This specific example of how GPS is used today has revolutionized our daily lives.
Is seeing, believing? If that is true then nearly every time you see someone with any electronic device, you can bet that they are using a program or application that utilizes GPS. So that means every tablet, cell phone, laptop, and digital camera you see proves that GPS’ innovative qualities have far surpassed any hesitancy one might have.
It is almost scary now days how within seconds someone has the power to locate us and observe, almost big brother like. Not that I have anything to hide, I just do not like the notion that we all live in a glass house. Obviously GPS has changed many lifestyles for the better, but with all change we have to accept the bad with the good. In this case I believe the good far out weights the bad. Saving lives, being on time, and finding your lost pet are always good things in my book.

Reference

Bellis, Mary. General format. Retrieved from http://inventors.about.com/od/gstartinventions/a/gps.htm.

Sreenivasen, Sree. 2013 January 4. General Format. Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/8301-33619_3-57561990-275/20-biggest-tech-innovations-of-my-lifetime-that-i-actually-use/.

Oskin, Becky. 2013 December 27. General Format. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/12/27/gps-helped-forecast-2012-earthquake/.

McNicoll, Arion. 2013 June 7. General Format. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/07/tech/self-driving-cars-inventor-gps/.