What’s to Expect from the Real-time Mapping and Location Technology
Developments in the real-time mapping and location technology have made it increasingly easier for people to move around.
If we tried to accurately pinpoint a moment when the general public was suddenly aware there was such a thing as mapping tech, we could indicate 2004 as the year geospatial data started being added to the OpenStreetMap initiative. Later, people also figured they could use Google Maps for every location-related info under the sun. It was there, it was working, so why take the trouble and investigate what it was about?
Truth is, behind this easy-to-use, spot-on functionality, there’s a whole industry which has been constantly — and rapidly — evolving. And if its following achievements seem impressive, wait until you learn about its prospects for the future.
That’s why I wrote this article — to serve as an introduction to the fascinating and promising world of mapping technology.
More on Navigation Technology
Navigation and mapping technologies are linked to geolocation, which is the “process of finding, determining and providing the exact location of a computer, networking device or equipment”.
Geolocation software gathers all this data from any device whose coordinates can be identified by a GPS (Global Positioning System).
The GPS then communicates the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of the possessor of a device. This infographic shows the process in more detail:
The Impact of Navigation and Mapping Technology Development on Other Industries
Location-tracking systems open up a whole new dimension in other industries, such as:
- Travel
- Retail
- Marketing
- Real estate
- Home automation
- Autonomous transportation
- Gaming.
While the travel industry will have to adapt to an even better informed and ‘immersed’ traveler, the retail field will have to employ user location for a redesigned delivery approach or for location-based marketing and gaming companies will come up with refined location-based games.
Autonomous Transport
Connected or driverless cars are quite the talk of the town because this is where lay people can see the effects of years of research, efforts and investment.
It is here we’re likely to see the first breakthroughs.
What will be decisive in the years to come is the location technology’s capacity to rely on mapping systems which are specifically designed to serve autonomous driving.
It’s only a matter of time until digital maps will reach a superior level of refinement and precision. The challenge is for in-car learning systems to adapt to the ever-changing road conditions.
Turning the largest geospatial database OpenStreetMap into a platform everybody can be part of could be a defining step towards achieving greater precision — since maps can be updated practically in real time.
In truth, it’s a joint effort.
On the one hand, applications such as Scout by Telenav are gathering probe data to keep improving the data in OpenStreetMap.
On the other hand, automakers like BMW are carrying ongoing efforts to crowdsource real-time data on the roads and improve their REM (Road Experience Management).
Apart from traffic or hazards, real-time maps will provide more precise information regarding weather and parking lots availability. This will allow for more fully autonomous cars to be deployed on the streets, allegedly by the end of 2018.
Smart Homes Require Exact Real-time Location Data
The smart home sector is closely tied to the connected cars one, the aim being that our homes and cars become a functional unity.
In other words, that the household could be controlled and managed from the driving seat and the car’s functions are adjusted from the comfort of one’s home.
Based on Geofencing technology, a house will be able to sense the presence of its owner’s car within a certain perimeter. Once the sensors detect this proximity, they will activate home appliances like the fridge or the lighting system.
Going Beyond Smartphone Integration
Given that integration with smartphones has already been largely tested and implemented, specialists in the navigation field point to industry efforts being directed towards integration with other wearables.
For instance, smart glasses would be a device whose further development will greatly depend on new findings in mapping and location. The interest is substantial since smart glasses are expected to serve as navigation assistance to the visually impaired. They will detect any surrounding movement and objects and guide the wearer across an unknown area.
But even for the general public, smart glasses will be life-changing once they’re ready for wide adoption, with real-time content available directly in the wearer’s ear or field of view. This content will be captured from real-time data provided by mapping software.
The next steps towards making these glasses available to the mass market? Extended battery life, proper integration with proficient navigation features and increased display resolution.
Real-Time Mapping and Location Technology and the Internet of Things
All the wearable tech we appreciate has emerged from the IoT stance of getting all appliances and devices we use daily to be more connected. Drones and car sharing are the most familiar examples here.
For this to happen, IoT devices need precise information regarding the location of their users (a sort of mapping layer) coupled with an update system based on real-time retrieval.
Machine-to-machine communication will be based on real-time maps designed specifically for a certain product or category of products. For instance, mapping software companies are working on tracking drone flights more efficiently, which will ultimately lead to more prospects for the flying cars industry.
Perfecting Healthcare
Healthcare is the kind of industry where tech can make a real difference.
With real-time mapping and location technology, this statement can be illustrated by the RTLS (Real-Time Location Systems) software engineers are already working on.
Their ambition is that, using real-time location of all the personnel, equipment and patients, hospitals and health centers will offer more responsive care services.
Other advantages are:
- better workflow within separate departments
- cost reduction due to better resource management
- better infection control
- increased clinical quality.
These will be achieved by placing location sensors utilizing unique IDs organized according to specific tags which can be easily checked in real time.
Real-Time Location Tech to Be Employed by Higher Entities
It’s estimated real-time location tech will be heavily employed by the eCommerce sector. This means location of merchandise and potential buyers will be used by the private economic sector. What’s more, enterprises will even collaborate within government programs.
This questions the legitimacy these entities have over public data, but it’s worth mentioning real-time location sharing will only be employed by means of agreement with the potential client.
Ultimately, self-reported data and geo-analytics will contribute to creating more proficient delivery systems.
The Security Challenges of Real-Time Data
It kind of goes without saying the biggest challenge yet to be solved is that of avoiding data breaches which could potentially harm people’s virtual and real-world safety.
Positioning systems used by the Internet of Things devices imply a wide range of parties.
This interaction needs clear protocols and policies which are yet to be better defined in the near future. But this can only be realized ‘on the go’ once the devices policies are brought into effect and then adjusted according to real use cases.
To sum it up, real-time mapping and location technology presents bright prospects, but it will take longer until clear boundaries will be established so the user’s privacy is completely protected.
How do you perceive this idea of sharing your location data? I’d be pleased to start a conversation in the comments section or on Medium and Twitter.
