GPS Tech

Man Uses GPS to Steal Cars

2008-06-07T17:09:00.009-04:00

I thought I had heard it all, until I read this article by The Daily Yomiuri. Apparently, a 30-year old man named Mitsuhisa Kobayashi was arrested for a series of car thefts in Japan. The interesting part? He used GPS to do it. Mitsuhisa would place a GPS tracking device on a rented car and after it was returned to the rental company, used a key that he had copied beforehand from the car to steal it. The devices were hidden in the dashboard panel of the rental cars with batteries so that the whereabouts of the car could be determined without the car having to be on. He told police he had stolen eight cars since last spring with the help of his two former wives.

At the time of his arrest, he had three of the eight cars. The remaining five were sold over the Internet. He told police, "I wanted to drive my favorite cars. I sold the other five cars on the Internet." One of the cars, which was stolen on February 8th, was worth two million yen, which is the equivalent of $20,000. Another car, which was stolen in December, was worth 2.5 million yen, which is about $23,000. Ironically, his two ex-wives provided the means for Mitsuhisa's arrest. When asked for their licenses by the rental companies, they presented older ones that hadn't been updated to reflect their divorce, which listed Mitsuhisa's address.

This post is sponsored by GTX Corp, a company that produces GPS tracking devices.

Is GPS Feeding Big Brother?

2008-06-04T18:22:00.008-04:00

We live in the digital age: Information is shared in mere seconds, load times are a thing of the past, and the Internet is a common necessity of any household. This recent advent in technology has changed who we are both personally and as a society. As any MySpace or Facebook user would know, so has the amount of personal information made available for others to see. In this short essay, I'll be discussing if GPS is just another breach in privacy.

Is GPS a blessing, or a curse? I've covered many areas of why it's changing the way we live for the better. It can be used to find us in hairy situations, play games, and track medical patients. The uses are endless. Some privacy advocates think differently. Seeing as most people carry their cell phones on them wherever they go, are we giving "Big Brother" a peak into our privacy? Who can access this information? During a recent court hearing on February 2nd in the 7th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, it was ruled that GPS is not an unconstitutional search. The police hadn't obtained a warrant to track the defendant's car using GPS, but they did have reasonable suspicion that the defendant was involved in criminal activities. Incidentally, they were correct. As I've already discussed, GPS is used by police agencies quite religiously. As United States citizens, we're protected by the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures. In this case, the judge ruled that tracking the car didn't constitute as unwarranted searching. Different courts are split on the issue. Some think that tracking a car with GPS is like police following a car, which isn't illegal. Other courts have ruled that police agencies are not allowed to use GPS information without actual evidence of wrongdoing. As you can see, it's a very split issue.

I personally think that GPS isn't a breach of privacy. Afterall, you shouldn't be doing anything illegal at all! Besides that, allowing the government to use information from our GPS devices does serve a purpose besides using it in criminal cases. When 911 calls are made with a phone with GPS capabilities, the network provider sends information, such as your location, to emergency services. This feature alone has saves time which in turn saves lives. This is known as E911.

I want to hear your thoughts! Do you think the government using GPS information is another way for tabs to be kept or used in important situations, such as emergencies?

This post is sponsored by GTX Corp, a company that produces GPS tracking devices.

Taking a Bite Out of Crime

2008-06-02T10:56:00.007-04:00

You've heard me say that GPS has a ton of practical uses; it's starting to sound like a broken record. In the face of crime, however, new uses are being developed everyday. I read an interesting article about how the police and other law enforcement agencies are using GPS tracking devices to combat crime. According to a recently written article by GovPro, the number of local and federal law enforcement agents using GPS has "skyrocketed" recently. In 2007, there was a 260% jump of GPS use by police than in 2006, with more than 1,000 units being given out to 200 local and federal agencies.

One way police are using GPS is tracking ex-convicts who are on parole. It works like an electronic fence. Police can see where parolees are at all times, such as when they're at work or going to potentially off-limits areas, such as schools. Suspected criminals can also be tracked. Although some might think this is an invasion of privacy, which I'll be writing about in a future post, it can lead to convictions and aid in the investigation. Another interesting example is how the police department of San Fransisco has recently created an online map detailing areas of recent crime over the past 90 days. The idea behind this is to give the public a better idea of where crime is occurring so that they can possibly avoid those areas. How do you think GPS can be implemented in law enforcement? Shoot me an email or leave a comment below!

GPS Gaming Taken to New Heights

2008-06-01T18:25:00.008-04:00

This afternoon I received an email from Richard Vahrman about yesterday's post, "We got one!". Richard started a company called LocoMatrix, which has created a platform that allows everyone to create their own games to be played over GPS devices. The idea came around with the recent obesity problems in America amongst children. As we've become a more technologically savvy society, we've been spending increasingly more time in front of the computer screen or television rather than being outdoors. Richard and his wife, Moira, looked into ways that could allow children to enjoy video games while getting the proper amount of exercise. The solution? GPS modules that would be connected to each other using Bluetooth technology. Right now, the company is looking towards expanding into other countries and using the platform in areas such as art, education, and other types of sports. One area I think LocoMatrix should look into is creating a social network that allows users to share games that they create, subscribe to each other's latest game releases, and add friends - some sort of YouTube-like service, except instead of sharing videos, users share gaming ideas. A highscores page could also be made that allowed players to track each other's scores and compete to be the best. Like Glofun, I believe that LocoMatrix is stretching the limitations of GPS to make it a bigger part of our lives.

This post is sponsored by GTX Corp, a company that produces GPS tracking devices.

"We got one!"

2008-05-31T09:27:00.004-04:00

While I was waking up this morning, sipping on some coffee, I came across another interesting use of GPS - this time, in gaming. Glofun Labs has designed a game called RayGun, which is played on a cell phone and utilizes GPS. The idea behind the game is a bit of a Ghostbusters knock off. Your phone emits "special energy" that allows you to attract and track ghosts. When you come across an evil one, you aim your cell phone at it and zap! It's gone. As you get better, you'll be able to attract ghosts. It's a cheesy idea, but it seems like a fun way to get in shape and pretend you're some unemployed parapsychology professor who remove ghosts from the world.

The company also produces another game called GPS Fishtrap. The aim is to build your fortune by catching exotic fish as you walk to different places in the real world, say to work or school, and sell them on the market to become a rich tycoon. There are over 150,000 species of fish who all have their own population levels, trapping rates, and market values. As you walk, the program uses your GPS in your phone to calculate your physical location thus navigating you through the virtual sea. You also lay traps as you walk to your destination. The amount of fish you catch depends on where you're walking and how easy or hard that species is to nab. If you're tired of watching Deadliest Catch, this might be a fun game to get into. Both of these games are great examples of how diverse the uses of GPS technology are.

This post is sponsored by GTX Corp, a company that produces GPS tracking devices.

GPS Use in Athletics

2008-05-30T16:32:00.007-04:00

My apologies for the lack of activity. My ISP has been giving me trouble connecting and my Internet connection has been non-existent for a week. The issue was thankfully resolved this afternoon. Happy to be back on the web, I came across an interesting patent that was filed back on November 13, 2000. The idea behind the patent is to use GPS technology in athletics, more specifically, bicycle riding. A computer attached to the bike would store speed, distance, direction, and even bio-information such as pulse rates and blood pressure. The computer would store all of this information to memory and transmit it over the Internet, where it could be accessed later, according to the patent. However, I don't think it'd be very efficient sending information over the Internet because when you're exercising on your bicycle, you aren't exactly near a WiFi hotspot. Some cell phone providers allow you to use your cell to connect to their towers and thus gain Internet access through those means, but that's not very economical. Besides, a built-in Internet adapter would just up the price. Rather, how about simply inserting an USB key into the portable computer, storing the information there and upload it onto your computer when you get back home? GTX offers a number of location based services, but I think this is one idea they might want to look into. A software solution could also be provided that could interpret the data, create graphs, ect. Food for thought?

Sailing & GPS: Saftey in Candy Form

2008-05-14T18:37:00.006-04:00

Sailing has always been one of my favorite hobbies. I've been at it for about seven years and I've sailed a variety of boats - from sunfish, which I learned to sail on, to 420's. It's a passion that nearly everyone in my family shares. My mother and uncle are both champion sailors who were taught how to sail when they were children. Their father, my grandfather, also has been sailing since he was a child. They've all won numerous awards and trophies for winning different races and events. It's certainly something that I aspire to.

One of the great things about sailing is it gives me sometime to think alone, out on the usually serene waters of the ocean. My usual choice to take out on the waters is a 420, a small and sleek boat designed for a crew of two. I normally sail solo, although I don't recommend you try it until you have a number of years of experience under your belt. Despite that, I take a precautions. I wear a dry-suit to keep me dry should I fall into the water, a life jacket, and a flare. One thing that I'm planning on using in my next expedition is a device called "GPS candy". It's a small GPS device that can be clipped onto clothes or life jackets that is tracked by a GPS satellite - they're even water-proof! In the case of an emergency, they're imperative. The next time you're out on the water, make sure you're safe.

GPS: Changing Lives Part 1

2008-05-11T13:27:00.005-04:00

GPS has changed our lives in so many ways. Although it was only finished in 1994, it has already proven invaluable in emergency services and in the military. In Operation Desert Storm, it was used extensively. Armed forces were able to successfully navigate the desert, which was miles of featureless sand. Soldiers were able to get to areas and maneuver in the night when the Iraqi troops who lived there couldn't. According to The Aerospace Corporation, more than 9,000 GPS units were used in the Gulf region before the end of the war. Every wing of the military made use of GPS; from soldiers on the ground to vehicles and helicopters. Navy ships, as well as bombers, used GPS to mine-sweep and rendezvous.

As I explained in a previous article, GPS was developed for the military. However, new uses of it are constantly being found. Emergency services now use GPS for a number of purposes. GPS receivers in emergency vehicles allow call-centers to determine which police cruiser, ambulance, or fire-truck is closest to the emergency. These valuable seconds can mean life or death in some situations. In 2002 when miners were trapped in a mine in Sumerset, Pennsylvania, GPS allowed rescuers to drill to a shaft and save the miners. Even the idea behind GTX Corp. was a response to an emergency situation! Tomorrow, I'll discuss more ways that GPS changing how we live.

Alzheimer's Disease

2008-05-11T09:25:00.008-04:00

Alzheimer's is a huge problem in the United States, with over five million Americans suffering from it yearly. It's a brain disorder named after Alois Alzheimer, who discovered it in 1905. Although there is no cure, we've learned a lot more through research by scientists over the past fifteen years. For one, it's a progressive and fatal disease. That means that it gets worse over time and ultimately will result in death. Brain cells are destroyed, causing memory loss and affecting thinking and behavior. It's the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's runs in my family. My great grandfather passed away after suffering from Alzheimer's. If you're interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, visit the Alzheimer's Association (they have a great information page too). Right now there's a great amount of research being done worldwide to try and prevent the onset and development of this horrible disease. If you're interested, you can donate today.

When someone develops Alzheimer's, the family has two options. They can either send them to a nursing home, or keep them at home. In my great grandfather's case, we kept him at home. Besides the constant care he needed (I did my part, I brought him his favorite kind of ice cream almost everyday!), they might decide to wander around and in a few cases, get lost. I remember my great grandfather getting up at 2 A.M. thinking he was going to work. Without being watched, someone with Alzheimer's could go out and get lost. A brilliant solution is simply monitoring them with GPS. GTX, as well as an array of other companies, offers different monitoring tools that can help make things easier.

The Boston Marathon

2008-05-07T16:43:00.000-04:00

The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon event and one of the most well known sporting events in the world. The marathon is held each year on the third Monday in April, Patriots' Day. Since its creation in 1897, over 20,000 runners have competed in each race. This year, GTX Corp. had a very special role to play the in race. Everyone was able to have the low-down on Team Hoyt, a well-known father and son running team, as the duo ran the daunting 26.2-mile race. They were testing GTX's gpVector GPS Personal Location Service, which provides real-time information, such as an athlete's current position.

Since I live relatively close to Boston, about an hour away, I took the time to travel up there and watch the marathon. It was great to see Team Hoyt run. Rick, who's in the wheelchair, suffers from cerebral palsy, which is usually caused by the umbilical cord wrapping around the neck of the baby as it's being born (it can also be caused during pregnancy). Unable to receive oxygen, the brain is permanently damaged, leaving the child unable to physically develop. This leads to motor problems, as well as arthritis and osteoporosis developments as an adult. It was an inspiration to see them run and I hope that I can "run" into them at next year's marathon.

Frustrated? Give GPS a Try!

2008-05-05T16:35:00.006-04:00

My apologies for the lack of activity. I've been quite busy over the last week with exams and such, which brings me to explain some of my weekend excursions. On Saturday I took the SAT, a reasoning test that is used in the college admissions process. As any student can tell you, they're hell. It's a combination of math, reading and writing, and an essay. I'm starting to think that actually getting to the testing center was more of a challenge than actually taking the test. Being the fool who never has any idea where he is, I was lost in a relatively short amount of time. After a frustrating twenty minutes, I arrived at my destination. I was wishing I had some type of GPS device, ironic considering I write about them. GTX offers some very promising GPS devices, if you're interested. But I'm digressing.

After the five or so hours of mental work-out, I decided to meet my parents for lunch - who doesn't like free grub? I somehow managed to find my way there, but getting back home is a story in itself. I took the highway, only to find that I passed the correct exit. Next, in my stupidity, I took the exit leading downtown. The downtown of this city happened to house a labyrinth of winding streets. I managed to get onto a main street and tried to find some street that was familiar to me. I managed to pass by possible routes to my house three times until figuring it out. Thirty minutes later, I was home. The moral of this story? If you are horrible with finding your way around (like me), it might be smart to give GPS a try. I could of saved a lot of time and green, which had to be given-up to the swear jar.

Teenage Driving

2008-04-21T14:05:00.000-04:00

As a teenager, I know how hard it was to win over my parent's trust. I had just gotten my license, I had my car keys in my hand, and my parents must have been sweating buckets. Most parents feel comfortable saying that it's a scary, but exciting time, when their child first sits behind the wheel. It is, afterall, the ultimate independence. The only limit is how far you can get on a tank of gas. My parents and I had a system of letting each other know I was safe. When I arrived at my destination, be it school or the coffee shop, I'd phone my parents and assure them that I had made it in one piece. Considering I was stuck paying for my cellular phone bill, the constant calling started costing more than the gas itself - hard to believe huh? Knowing about GTX's tracking portal would of saved me a lot of time and green. A lot of parents have been using GPS technology to track their teenager's driving habits. You'll know how fast they've gone, where they have been, and where they are - things you need to know when there's an emergency. While your son or daughter might not be a happy camper, at least you'll know that they're safe.

The story behind GTX

2008-04-20T20:41:00.003-04:00

GPS Tech Explained...

2008-04-20T11:40:00.007-04:00

What is GPS?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System and at the moment, it's the only fully functional global positioning system in the world. Nearly 24 satellites help make this system work, sending microwave signals to different GPS receivers, allowing the receiver to determine its location, speed, direction, and time. It's a brilliant system that was first developed by the United States Department of Defense. The group of satellites making this ingenious system work are managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing.

GPS receivers calculate their position using four or more satellites. It basically uses four tools to solve for four variables, that is: location, speed, direction, and time. These solved variables are then translated into something more manageable, such as longitude and latitude. Extremely accurate time is very important. Each GPS satellite has an atomic clock that is far more accurate than everyday clocks. Signals are sent from the satellites at the speed of light, slowing down slightly when entering the atmosphere. The receiver uses geometry and trigonometry to calculate its location based on the amount of time it took the signal to each it from space. Who would of ever thought GPS tech involved so many nerdy aspects?

Miniature GPS Technology

As if things couldn't become even more complicated, companies such as GTX have managed to developed miniature GPS technology. Using cellular towers, GTX transponders transmit real-time geographic coordinates. Next, they're rendered on Google Maps and sent to subscribers over secure Internet connections. Amazingly enough, GTX has even managed to store the history of change in speed, altitude, movement, direction, and time. The uses of this product are endless and we'll be exploring them with you throughout every post! Tune in, subscribe and make sure to look into some of the amazing technological innovations GTX has to offer.