Mapmyindia Featured On Deccan Chronicle

Global positioning systems (GPS) are touching all parts of our world. Our computers, cars and mobile phones carry it and now with connectivity being the new buzzword, all autorickshaws and taxis will soon be equipped with GPS so that our travel experiences can be more consumer-friendly, says the government. So, what does this mean? Well, in a nutshell the technology will connect vehicles to a call centre and help you locate an autorickshaw/taxi and later calculate the actual distance covered. The system will also help the government take action against errant drivers. So, now you will be able to actually take public transport and not get taken for a run around — neat?

But, what is GPS?

It is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides steadfast location and time information (round the clock and in all conditions, weather related or otherwise) on or near the earth. So far, it is maintained by the USA and is accessible across the globe to anyone with a GPS receiver. Set up in 1973, the system was planted in outer space to move past navigation systems.

Many applications

GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide. It is a function which can be added to your phone and thus can be with you all the time. It makes you traceable and helps you know your surroundings, a great function for those who are new to a place. GPS is used in map-making, land surveying, tracking and surveillance etc. Other interesting applications include geocaching (an outdoor activity where participants use a GPS receiver to hide and seek containers called geocaches or caches anywhere in the world), and waymarking (an activity in which people can locate and log unique and interesting locations around the globe with a GPS receiver and a digital camera). “Another interesting concept is a GPS watch that you can wear while you are at a hill station or trekking. The GPS watch tracks your movements according to the longitudes,” says Rohan Verma, Director, Mapmyindia, and an avid user of the technology. Technology is invading our lives so fast that GPS has perhaps just opened the front door — just a crack!

Sasha Bhatnagar, Class XI
GPS benefits us in many ways. Like in the disappearance of luggage from airports or tracing our lost pet dogs. Globally, it has helped track down ships captured by the Somali pirates.

Prikshit Rao, Class IX,
Going to new places meant we’d get confused about directions. But with a GPS installed in our car, it is so easy to locate anything. GPS also means safety, especially for tourists and women.

Source : Deccan Chronicle