When it comes to autonomous driving, we’re not talking about a single standalone entity, but rather an intricate technical system. This system includes radar sensors, advanced algorithms, and one technology that most of us are familiar with—GPS. GPS plays a crucial role in ensuring that self-driving cars stay on the correct roads, avoiding the chaos of random movement like a disoriented insect.
Most of us have used GPS through our smartphones, and it has become a daily companion. However, despite its widespread use, many of us don’t truly understand how it works. We know it helps us find our way, but few are aware of the underlying science or the origins of this powerful technology.
The full name of GPS is the Global Positioning System, a satellite-based navigation system. While it’s now embedded in our phones and everyday devices, it originally came from the U.S. military. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Department of Defense developed a satellite-based positioning system to meet the needs of the navy, army, and air force. By the end of the Cold War, 24 satellites were launched, and GPS was officially operational. Later, it was introduced to the civilian market, quickly becoming a global standard.
Technically, GPS uses a method called trilateration. Satellites orbiting the Earth send signals to receivers on the ground. The time it takes for the signal to travel allows the receiver to calculate the distance from the satellite. With multiple satellites, the system creates intersecting circles, and the point where they overlap gives the precise location of the device.
**What you don’t know about GPS could be more dangerous than you think.**
I was surprised when I first learned that something I relied on every day had its roots in the U.S. military. It made me realize how much we take for granted in our daily lives.
In reality, we should be more cautious about how GPS and other positioning technologies are used. One major concern is that many devices constantly collect and share location data without users fully understanding the implications. For example, when you install an app, it often requests access to your location—even if it's not necessary. You might receive targeted ads for places you've never been to, raising questions about privacy and security.
Take Uber as an example. Last year, it was revealed that even after a ride ended, the app continued tracking users' locations for up to five minutes. The company admitted this, claiming it was for "optimizing space details," which sounds suspicious at best.
It’s not just apps—many smart devices also gather location data without clear disclosure. A recent incident involving a fitness tracker company showed how dangerous this can be. A company providing GPS-enabled sports bracelets released a heat map showing users’ running routes globally. Unknowingly, the U.S. military had distributed these devices to soldiers, who unknowingly shared their patrol paths and movements through the map.
This highlights a bigger issue: we need to be more aware of how our personal data is being collected, stored, and used. GPS may seem harmless, but its power—and potential risks—are far greater than we realize.
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