7. GPS and Tracking

If navigation is the process of finding your way from one place to another, then tracking is the process of monitoring something as it moves along.

Tracking has some very practical applications (in addition to those action films you see where the good guys are tracking the villains!).

Fleet management

Trucking firms find it useul to know exactly where their lorries are at any given time. GPS tracking allows them to spot any problems such as traffic jams causing a delivery to be late.

 

 

It allows their customers to know where their delivery is at any given time.

They can also let their drivers know of delays up ahead.

 

Tracking is also very useful for ambulance controllers to see exactly where the ambulance fleet is at any time, so helping save lives by directing the nearest ambulance to an accident.

 

 

Anti-theft tracking

Another common use of tracking is to locate stolen vehicles that have a on-board tracking system installed.

When the vehicle is reported stolen,  the hidden tracker system is activated and a signal is sent to company headquarters that lets the police know its location. This system is often used by construction companies to keep an eye on their extremely expensive equipment such as JCBs, diggers etc.

 

Saving Rare Animals

GPS tracking can be used to keep an eye on endangered animals such as the tiger

Rangers will tag them with a GPS tracker to let them see where they are at any time. This is good for both the animal and people's safety who are also living in the area.