ServiceZeit Mobil - Topic week "surveillance society"
Observation through navigation systems
Navigation via Global Positioning System (GPS) has become a global standard.
In 1995 the necessary satellites were started up, but they were solely used by the US-Military. But soon GPS-receivers were introduced to the civil sector as they were used by globetrotters and runners.
The abolishment of the artificial signal-degradation in 2002, enabled the massive distribution of personal navigation assistants (PNA), which are now used by many drivers for route planning.
The potential of navigation technology
Recent PNAs have a long battery life, a clear display and react on up-to-date traffic news. The user can manage his favorite locations. In addition to this the navigation system saves the history of the last targets.
Some devices offer extended functionality, like playing audio files. If they're connected via USB to a PC, they can be used like a removable medium. That means routes can be imported or exported the same way.
Runners, cyclists and bikers have access to a broad range of online communities where routes are recommended and discussed.
By the help of Google-Maps and aerial views the tours are clearly displayed.
Some manufacturers have different file formats, but the communities offer various opportunities to convert them.
That enables the visualisation of the collected information.The user may mark the track sections in a specific color depending on the speed or display additional information like speed and time for the selected way points.
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