The Future of GPS

Modern technology rapidly evolves, and the same holds true for GPS. Since consumer GPS receivers first became available in the mid-1990s, the market has grown tremendously because of cheaper receiver prices and new ways to use GPS. A peek into a crystal ball shows what the future may hold for GPS.

• More accurate: The United States has started planning the next generation of GPS, dubbed GPS III. Driving factors are better accuracy and reliability, improved resistance to signal jamming, and the looming European Galileo system. Increasing the number of WAAS satellites in orbit is also planned. The first GPS III satellite is tentatively planned for launch in 2012. The U.S. government budget will have an impact on plans to improve the present GPS system; the Iraq invasion delayed the launch of several satellites.
• Smaller: GPS receivers will continue to shrink. GPS units already are integrated into wristwatches, and PC Card GPS receivers can plug into a laptop or PDA. The three limiting factors that prevent a consumer receiver from shrinking are antenna size, screen size, and power source size
• Cheaper: Prices will continue to decline as manufacturing costs decrease and production quantities increase.
• Easier to use: Simplified and less technical user interfaces will become more of a priority as GPS receivers become more appliancelike to meet the needs of specialized markets. An example is Garmin’s Forerunner product, which is targeted to runners and lacks a number of features typically found in traditional GPS receivers.
• Easier to view: Improved screen technology will make GPS receiver screens brighter and easier to read.
• More integrated: GPS receivers are being integrated into cars and trucks, cellphones, PDAs, Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, and other consumer electronic devices. Expect some new products and services that take advantage of location-aware data.
• Thriftier: User-replaceable AA and AAA batteries have long powered portable GPS receivers, but expect some changes in power sources.
• Built-in Lithium ion (Li-Ion) and nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries, popular in cellphones and laptops, make sense for GPS receivers. Garmin started releasing rechargeable GPS receivers at the end of 2003.
• Further on the horizon, miniature fuel cell technology will keep GPS units going and going without frequent battery changes.
• Less wired: Most GPS receivers transfer data from personal computers through a cable. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth (www.bluetooth.com) and wireless USB are well suited for fast and easy data transfers to GPS receivers without using cables.