Ever been driving around an unfamiliar city and been guided by SatNav? It’s an experience becoming increasingly common for many drivers as SatNavs have gone from high-tech luxury items to a feature that many drivers expect as standard. If you’re new to SatNavs, you might find yourself wondering exactly how it is the small device on your dashboard knows exactly where to go, or even if it can be trusted, so for the curious among you, here is a guide to the science behind SatNavs.
How it works
Sat Nav devices find your position by detecting radio signals being broadcast from navigational satellites orbiting the Earth. It takes 24 of these satellites, each of which weighs between three and four thousand pounds, to ensure the entire planet can get navigational coverage. Currently orbiting the Earth are 27 navigational satellites, ensuring that should one become damaged, there are still an additional 3 available to provide constant coverage. Your Sat Nav device picks up a signal from three or more of these satellites. It records how long it takes the signal from each satellite to reach it and thus how far away the satellite is. Recording this information from three or more satellites allows your SatNav to triangulate and calculate its position. SatNavs can also work out your velocity by monitoring exactly how quickly this information changes. SatNavs have maps saved on them. Once the Sat Nav knows exactly where you are, it can display this on the map and use its sophisticated mapping software to work out the best route to get to the destination you have selected.
The origins of satellite navigation technology
SatNavs, like a lot of modern technology, were originally developed by the military. The navigational satellites that SatNavs utilize were originally launched to guide smart bombs and missiles. In WW, II, a high-level bomber could drop a bomb that landed within a mile of its target, and it would still be counted as a hit. Nowadays, bombs and missiles can be guided to hit individual buildings, or even individual rooms of buildings, all thanks to satellites. The result is that wars have become a lot cleaner with far fewer civilian casualties.
The Growing Accessibility and Benefits of GPS Technology
| Decreasing Costs and Wider Availability | As with most technology, as it is further developed, its costs have decreased, and navigational satellites have been made increasingly available for the wider population. |
| Business Applications | Many businesses that have a lot of motor vehicle assets, such as delivery companies or security companies, started installing GPS trackers made by companies like RAM tracking in their vehicles so the location of vehicles could be tracked at all times. |
| Benefits for Efficiency and Customer Experience | The advantage of this is that the nearest car can always be sent to a job, saving fuel costs, and customers can be kept advised of any delays, helping improve the customer experience. The technology continues to progress, and we have now reached the stage where almost anyone has access to it either in their car or their home. |
The future of SatNav technologies
In just a few short years, the technology has gone from a very exclusive military weapon to something that we all have access to, but where will it go next?. Just this week, the UK motor insurance company the AA launched a new insurance scheme aimed at younger drivers that prices based on driving style. Cars are fitted with sat nav devices that monitor driving speed, how aggressively corners are taken, and how hard the driver All. All this is used to establish the ability of a driver. Good drivers using the system are expected to pay significantly lower driving fees, which could be good news for young UK drivers who often face prohibitive insurance costs.
Google has plans to use satnav technology to finally launch the long-dreamed-of self-driving car. Although the idea has been around for years, Google recently filed a patent for a car that uses sat nav as well as other sensors to allow a car to drive itself. Although this system is still a long way off, it could completely change the face of driving.
Satellite navigation technology is one of the most exciting innovations of recent years, with so many possible applications, it seems we are still only just scraping the surface. The navigation device on your dashboard might be your first experience with satellite navigation, but it is unlikely to be your last.