The GPS has come a long way in the past few years. The original system, approved for use by the US Department of Defense in 1983, had about 30 satellites orbiting Earth to provide location information. Nowadays, 31 more constellations with at least 24 working satellites each, providing better accuracy and availability than ever before. These advancements have made it simpler for people to get where they need to go quickly and accurately.
Whether you’ve lost or want to know how close your favorite restaurant is to your current location, these innovations will help you find what you’re looking for faster than ever before.
1. 3D Maps (Three Dimensional)
Google Earth can show 3D maps. To view these types of maps, you need the Google Earth plug-in. Dedicated users have manually rendered many buildings.
What about companies that require a more accurate three-dimensional visualization of where their drivers are located? Satellite navigation providers make this possible through their Live Map Update services.
2. 2D Maps (Two Dimensional)
Some of the first car navigators were two-dimensional, which meant they could only show two views: a map and a bird’s eye view. One such device was the famous “Dick Tracy” watch, which made some people think this would be what GPS devices would look like in the future.
However, today’s GPS Tracker is not only two-dimensional but also three-dimensional. Three-dimensional car navigators can show streets in 3D, which means they appear to be shown at an angle instead of looking straight down onto the streets.
This is just like how you would see streets if you were driving on them. To make this possible, the GPS device needs to know your orientation. It can do this through its built-in gyroscope or by detecting changes in radio signals.
3. Automatic Re-routing
When you drive off course, the GPS receiver will figure it out and automatically re-route you so you can quickly get where you want to go. This is possible because of the built-in gyroscope that detects your orientation.
The GPS device will know if you are no longer headed in the correct direction, and it can re-route you. While this is convenient, some drivers find it annoying because they believe they should go wherever they want, even if it is not where they need to go.
This development makes GPS devices very popular with truck drivers because it helps them driving in the correct direction in long distances, and there is almost no chance of getting lost.
4. Voice Navigation
One of the most valuable advancements in GPS technology is providing turn-by-turn directions using voice navigation. Instead of looking at a map during your drive, you can listen to where your next turn is located.
Plus, you can find out how many more miles it will be until you make your next turn.
Suggested Article: Best Maps and Navigation Apps for Travelers
5. GPS Systems with Two Separate Displays
A car navigator can have two displays, so you can see the map on one display while also seeing your location on another show. With this arrangement, drivers do not have to look back and forth between screens anymore because they look at different things. The second display can be either an LCD monitor or a projection device attached to the windshield.
Today, we are accustomed to using GPS devices in our cars for directions. GPS technology has come a long way in the last few years, and if you’re trying to decide whether or not it’s time for an upgrade, we’ve put together five advancements that might convince you. If your device is over two years old (or more), then now may be the perfect time to trade up.
