MomReviews

GTX-GPS tracking for everyone

Written by Elizabeth on April 11, 2008 – 2:49 am -

You probably are familiar with GPS, right? Global Positioning that uses a signal sent to a satellite orbiting the earth to pinpoint a location? Well, what if you could have your own GPS unit that could go wherever you needed it to, and keep track of people in all kinds of situations? That’s exactly what GTX is.

GTX stands for Global Trek Xploration. The company develops, patents, and integrates miniature GPS units into branded merchandise, like athletic shoes, for example. During the recent Boston Marathon, despite rain, clouds, and downed cell towers, GTX technology kept track of the entire race. Their patented “Personal Location Services” platform consists of a miniaturized “always-on” Assisted-GPS tracking AND location-reporting module which provides real-time location coordinates rendered on Google Maps. The primary use for this application is tracking the location of people, but it can also be used for objects.

Just think of the possibilities-to be able to monitor the location of Alzheimer’s patients, who often wander away and are lost for days. Firefighters going into heavy fire and smoke-filled buildings could be located if they are trapped. Police dogs, searching for survivors in heavy debris, could be tracked so that they return safely. Even police weapons could be kept track of in the event that they are stolen.

On a boat, GTX could be used within the life preservers or life rafts-wouldn’t it be wonderful if no one ever had to float for days out at sea because they couldn’t be located? This is the miracle of GPS technology. It might seem a little scary to think of always being tracked like that, but think of the lives it will save. Parachutes! I just thought of a pilot having to eject from a plane, or a skydiver, or any kind of rescue personnel. Or hikers, who are always getting lost on deep trails. Kids, who go on hiking trips with scout or church troops and wander off the path, having to spend days surviving before being found. With this technology, it could be possible that no one would ever have to be in this situation again!

Can you tell that I am excited to be telling you about GTX? lol I’ll be writing a 12-week series of posts on Table for Five, digging deeper into the uses for this technology. Please, visit the GTX website and familiarize yourself with the product. There’s also a short video you can watch. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before it is widely used in products like the ones I mentioned above. It’s pretty exciting to be spreading the word about something so new like this!

Tags: GPS, GTX, real-time tracking, safety
Posted in Technology |