GPS navigation in cars
As time goes on, more and more people are relying on GPS systems installed into their car to guide them on a journey. These are usually to places they have never been before. No doubt they’re great systems, but there are pitfalls when using one, and pitfalls when buying one.
What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Position System. It was designed by the US military for accuracy in long range attacks, surveillance, and R&D. There are currently about 2 dozen GPS satellites in orbit. They can calculate your position from your signal, its position and three or more satellites. This is a technique called trilateration (for more info on trilateration, click here. There are two levels of accuracy – the military one, which is about 3m, and the civilian one, which is about 15m.
Who are the suppliers of in-car navigation systems?
There are many suppliers – Garmin, TomTom, NavMan, Mitec to name a few. It is important to look around and see what you are willing to pay, and what is available. Don’t buy something because someone else says it’s good.
Why are they good?
Navigation systems tend to replace maps. Maps that get used a lot tend to get dog-eared and pages can go missing. You can also set the system to guide you to your destination, and it will give clear directions where to turn.
Why are they bad?
First things first, people are beginning to rely too much. There are cases where people have gone off the road following the instructions of the GPS, regardless of what the roads signs said – especially more so in construction zones, which may change condition daily. Also, the map in the system may become old – new roads may not have been added in. It’s possible to update the map – most companies use cards or a CD which can be replaced, but is far more expensive.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Robotics today and the future – are they good for us?
Robotics today and the future – are they good for us?
There is no doubt that all of us want a robot, whether it’s for company, for protection or for help. Robots can be good or bad, depending on what we want from them, and what limitations we may decide to impose on them, but are robots really good for us? Today we discuss one of the cons of the robots of the future.
On thing which may not surprise you is that we are becoming fatter each year. The cause of this is said to be fast food and junk food, but I think this may not be the case. You only have to look at the Amish to see the fallacy in blaming fatty foods – they are fit and healthy. Why?
As more cars get on the road, we get lazier. We refuse to get up and walk somewhere if we can drive there. If it’s 400km away, walking may take you a long time, so driving is OK. If it’s down the street, or two block away, walk. Most of us will drive even if it’s only 1km away. We refuse to let our kids out because it’s dangerous. We lack exercise.
I fear that the robots of the future will take away our need to exercise. We may even ask them to exercise for us – not good! The reason why we have developed so many tools is because humans are inherently lazy – if there is an easier or faster way to do the same thing, we will try it or invent it. Robots may be just another symptom of this, and that we will all eventually become fat.
There is no doubt that all of us want a robot, whether it’s for company, for protection or for help. Robots can be good or bad, depending on what we want from them, and what limitations we may decide to impose on them, but are robots really good for us? Today we discuss one of the cons of the robots of the future.
On thing which may not surprise you is that we are becoming fatter each year. The cause of this is said to be fast food and junk food, but I think this may not be the case. You only have to look at the Amish to see the fallacy in blaming fatty foods – they are fit and healthy. Why?
As more cars get on the road, we get lazier. We refuse to get up and walk somewhere if we can drive there. If it’s 400km away, walking may take you a long time, so driving is OK. If it’s down the street, or two block away, walk. Most of us will drive even if it’s only 1km away. We refuse to let our kids out because it’s dangerous. We lack exercise.
I fear that the robots of the future will take away our need to exercise. We may even ask them to exercise for us – not good! The reason why we have developed so many tools is because humans are inherently lazy – if there is an easier or faster way to do the same thing, we will try it or invent it. Robots may be just another symptom of this, and that we will all eventually become fat.
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