GPS Ankle Bracelet Identifies Home Intruder

GPS tracking ankle bracelets have been in use by police departments for a number of years now. The goal is to prevent criminal offenders from committing further crimes by monitoring their movements using a GPS-equipped device that locks around the subject’s ankle. The devices serve both to deter the wearer from committing an additional crime and also to track their movements if a violation does occur.

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The devices are not fool-proof, and there have been cases where a parolee has managed to remove the device and disappear from police surveillance. However, most criminals are smart enough not to commit crimes with the device still intact. Most, but not all.

In May of this year, a Duluth, MN woman awoke to the sound of someone moving around in her home. A masked man entered her bedroom, demanded cash, and hit her with a vase. He then stole her phone, purses, and jewelry. The astonishing part of the story is that police found the suspect using his GPS-enabled ankle bracelet. The monitoring company confirmed that the suspect in question was at the woman’s home during the time of the robbery. Police obtained a warrant to search the man’s house where they found items that were allegedly stolen from the victim’s home. The suspect reportedly cut the bracelet off after the robbery.

Using GPS Ankle Bracelets To Prevent Crimes

Most of us shake our heads at the thought of someone attempting to commit a burglary while wearing a GPS tracking device. And the truth is that most criminals wouldn’t do it. That’s why the devices have become widely used to assist in law enforcement, especially for parolees. Many convicted offenders have restrictions on their behavior once they are released from prison, particularly those who were convicted of violent crimes and who may be a threat to others.

GPS tracking ankle bracelets are about the size of a large watch and provide real time data about the movements of the wearer. Some can even sense alcohol and drug use. The devices have been used to monitor released offenders in circumstances like these:

Domestic violence—If an offender is considered to pose a severe threat to his victim after hisrelease from prison, he may be required to wear an ankle bracelet. The bracelet helps ensure that he does not violate any restraining orders that may be in place. It can also send an alert both to the victim and to police if the wearer crosses a boundary, giving enough advance warning to prevent further harm to the victim.

Early parole—Overcrowded prisons have created a crisis situation in some states, leading to early parole programs for certain offenders. These offenders are often placed under a form of house arrest in which they are required to wear ankle bracelets so that police can monitor their activities remotely.

Violent crimes—Other violent crimes such as armed robbery, sex offenses, and injury to another person may result in a released prisoner being required to wear an ankle bracelet monitoring device.

The Limitations of Ankle Bracelets

Unfortunately, ankle bracelets are not fool-proof, which has led some critics to call for stricter measures. Criminals can sometimes cut the bracelets off, although doing so will send an immediate alert to the police. It can still give the offender enough of a start to escape or to commit an additional crime. As in the case of the Duluth robbery, people can commit crimes while wearing the bracelets. Particularly in cases of domestic violence offenders or sex offenders, the threat of prison may not be enough to keep the offender from committing additional crimes.

Despite these limitations, however, GPS tracking bracelets have proved helpful to cash-strapped departments whose prisons don’t have enough space to accommodate all offenders. Until a better solution can be devised, the bracelets do a better job than traditional house arrest and parole situations.

Taking a Bite Out of Crime

Although the Duluth man committed a robbery and injured a homeowner while wearing his ankle bracelet, the good news is that he was almost immediately apprehended and brought into custody. His charges include first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, and first-degree assault. Hopefully it will be some time before he’s out on the streets again, and perhaps this time he will have learned his lesson.

GPS tracking data gives police an edge over the criminals who try to defy the law. It allows better monitoring to be performed even with limited personnel. Alerts can be set to go off if the wearer crosses a boundary or removes the device, and gives police an exact location of the offender if something does go wrong.

No crime solution is perfect, but thanks to GPS tracking bracelets, fewer convicted offenders get away with additional attempted criminal behavior.

GPS Ankle Bracelet Identifies Home Intruder

South Korea Requests Approval to Buy GPS-Guided Missiles

GPS tracking has a long history of military use. The technology was first designed by the U.S. military to assist in tactical operations. As new and better applications have been developed, governments around the globe have also implemented GPS tracking for both military and civilian purposes. New military uses continue to surface, and one recent development is the GPS-guided missile.

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GPS-guided missiles use GPS satellite data to lock onto a target remotely, eliminating the need for manual guidance. Cluster bombs can be equipped with GPS technology, making them much more accurate as they seek out larger targets like armored vehicles. In June of 2012, South Korea formally requested approval to buy these missiles and the GPS-enabled tail kit that makes them more accurate weapons. Other nations have made similar requests, ostensibly with the goal of modernizing their military operations, remaining on par with potential opponents, and protecting their borders from attack.

How Does a GPS-Guided Missile Work?

GPS-guided missiles rely on satellite data to locate their targets. Before launch, the targets can be mapped out based on GPS coordinates, altitude above sea level, and other factors. The missile can also be programmed with the topography of the region, allowing it to follow the terrain and avoid detection by radar. Military GPS data is accurate to within inches of the intended target (much more accurate than civilian signals), making it a formidable tool in military operations.

GPS-guided missiles outperform the old laser-guided weapons, which could be stymied by rain or cloud cover. GPS signals are not diffused by atmospheric conditions, making them more reliable weapon enhancers.

Other Military Uses for GPS Tracking

GPS tracking has been a staple of military operation in the U.S. since it was first developed in the 1970s. Back then, it was used primarily to keep track of vehicles and personnel during times of deployment. Today, however, the potential applications have mushroomed, opening new possibilities for military engagement. Some potential uses being researched, tested, and future include:

Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are a type ofaircraft that does not need to have a human pilot on board. They use GPS technology to guide the vehicle to its specified target.

G-LOC protection: G-force induced loss of consciousness, or G-LOC, occurs when a pilot loses consciousness due to an excessive amount of g-forces draining the blood away from the brain. Researchers are working to develop a GPS system that would register when a pilot is no longer navigating the plane and would automatically implement an automatic pilot system to prevent a crash.

Search and rescue: GPS tracking devices carried by each individual soldier increase the success rates of search and rescue operations.

As the technology continues to evolve, more and better applications will undoubtedly continue to emerge for military use. GPS tracking gives military operations an edge by enabling remote control of aircraft, better coordination and tracking of troops, and better identification of targets.

Does South Korea’s Request for GPS-Guided Missiles Have Implications for the U.S.?

South Korea’s request to purchase WCMD cluster bombs and their associated GPS-equipped tail kits isn’t unusual. Several other countries, including India, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia have made similar requests. The weapons would, however, provide a sophisticated level of defense against possible attacks from North Korea. They can be used to counter armored tanks as well as small boats approaching by water.

In order for any country to feel safe against attack, it must have weapons technology at least as effective–if not more so–as that of its nearest neighbors. Since North Korea has historically been antagonistic toward South Korea, the request for WCMD weaponry is most likely a defensive tactic. However, because the United States owns the satellites that provide data for the world’s GPS systems, the technology could theoretically be turned off in a time of war. There are a few other countries working to develop their own GPS satellite systems to prevent total loss of GPS data in the event of just such a measure.

The Future of GPS Tracking

The potential applications of GPS tracking are limited only by the creativity and resources of the scientists who develop them. Currently, the military uses the technology for:

• Navigation


• Reconnaissance


• Detonation detection


• Search and Rescue


• Target Tracking


• Guided Missiles

Other applications are already in the works, as discussed above. GPS technology has brought a new approach to military operations, both domestic and abroad. GPS-guided missiles are just the next step in a long history of military innovations designed to keep our military both competitive and as protected as possible. As long as the U.S. can keep its edge in the developmental arena, GPS tracking and its associated applications will continue to play a major role in both the defense of this nation and protection of others.

South Korea Requests Approval to Buy GPS-Guided Missiles

GPS Tracking Goes Dumpster Diving

Some industries are well-known for their use of GPS tracking to assist in the daily operations of their fleet vehicles. Construction vehicles, buses, taxis, police vehicles, long-distance truckers and many others use the technology to make sure each vehicle is where it’s supposed to be and to monitor their activities throughout the day. But one industry that may not be considered very often is the refuse industry. That’s right–garbage trucks.

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Most people don’t think about garbage trucks very often, but they perform an important function: keeping our towns, neighborhoods, and homes free of refuse. And thanks to a new type of scale designed by Air-Weigh, keeping accurate records in the refuse industry just got a whole lot easier.

What Does GPS Tracking Have to Do With Garbage Collection?

One of the most important functions performed by garbage collection trucks is keeping tabs on the dumpsters that are distributed around town. That means lifting, weighing, emptying, and replacing every dumpster on a regular basis, both the permanent and the temporary ones. Each of those dumpsters has a weight limit which, if exceeded, will result in extra charges. So who keeps track of all those bins and the weight of each one? The drivers do, and until recently, they had to do it manually using custom equipment.

Enter the BinMaxx XL onboard scale. Designed to take the work out of manually recording every dumpster’s location and weight, the Bin Maxx XL uses a GPS tracking device to pinpoint and record the location of each lift. Automating the process reduces the potential for error and helps ensure that data gets recorded accurately.

The BinMaxx XL allows operators to:

• Accurately record the location, time, and weight of each dumpster lift


• Download a daily report of the lift information for each truck


• Use Bluetooth receivers to quickly retrieve the information from each truck from a central location


• Store information in an easy-to-use format

It may not be the most glamorous innovation for GPS tracking, but it certainly makes a significant difference to the accuracy and ease of reporting for fleet managers in the refuse industry.

What Else Can Fleet Managers Do With GPS Tracking?

GPS tracking is gaining traction with regard to fleet vehicle management across many industries. Some of the most popular uses include:

Monitoring routes and stops: Both city buses and school buses often use GPStracking to monitor the location of each individual bus as it drives its route. This information can let people know if the bus is running on schedule or will be a few minutes late (which is great to know especially during inclement weather).

Protecting against theft: Construction vehicles and other expensiveequipment can be fitted with GPS tracking devices to ensure that the vehicle can be recovered in the event of a theft. Police departments also use the technology to monitor “bait cars” if they suspect a car theft ring is operating in the are

Reducing fuel usage: One of the greatest perks of GPS tracking for fleetvehicles is that it can help reduce the amount of fuel used by helping drivers choose shorter routes and practice more fuel-efficient driving habits. Many devices can monitor idle times and stops as well as location, helping managers encourage drivers to turn off the engine or plan deliveries using a more direct route.

Handling vehicle maintenance and break-downs: GPS tracking can help managers monitor vehicle usage and plan for regular maintenance. If a breakdown occurs, the tracking device can provide the information needed to get it taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Most companies that purchase GPS tracking devices for their fleet vehicles do so because of the associated savings. Teaching employees to practice better driving habits and plan their routes more efficiently can save thousands of dollars every year.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Record-Keeping

The BinMaxx XL will allow fleet managers in the refuse industry to keep better records with much less margin for error. When records must be kept manually, there is always the possibility of someone forgetting to write down a number, going back and making guesses rather than remembering exact numbers, and transcribing numbers incorrectly. The GPS tracking device included in the BinMaxx XL will make sure each dumpster lift location gets recorded and that the pertinent information for that lift is accurate. This information can then be easily transferred to an office PC and stored for later reference.

GPS tracking devices have revolutionized the prospect of managing a fleet of vehicles. Rather than guesses and estimates, GPS tracking gives hard data to managers, allowing them to create better company policies and to enforce those policies more effectively. Whether the fleet consists of high-

visibility police cars or less-visible refuse collection vehicles, GPS tracking can help managers save money, enforce policy, train new drivers, and handle break-downs and thefts more efficiently.

GPS Tracking Goes Dumpster Diving

Shrinking GPS Technology Allows for Broader Applications

When it comes to Global Positioning System technology, if you can imagine a use for it then someone is probably already developing it as a product. Advancements continue to impress and progress, giving mankind amazing new capabilities. While most of us are well aware of GPS guided navigation systems, organizations and companies around the world are using GPS technology for tracking, crime prevention, emergency search and rescue, and environmental management, along with numerous other applications.

Thanks to the U.S. military’s ongoing pursuit of technology, many highly sophisticated devices have become familiar to civilians. And we all benefit as they progress with research and development projects.

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Military Shrinking Size of GPS Devices

Applications abound for military use of GPS technology. From tracking supplies and personnel to guiding advanced weaponry toward a target, GPS has infiltrated and advanced military techniques and abilities beyond what could have been accomplished even just a few years ago:

• GPS receivers guide parachute cargo loads to landing destinations


• GPS guides smart munitions toward their targets


• GPS devices help radio users locate each other


• GPS technology enables riflemen to know the distance to their target, increasing firing accuracy.


• GPS navigation keeps unmanned aerial vehicles on course

The military recently began focusing its efforts on reducing the size of GPS technology so as to increase its functionality. By diminishing the size, weight, and power consumption of GPS navigation units, the military will be able to embed them into wearable and handheld computing devices, communications, and navigation devices.

Until now, battery size has kept GPS devices from slimming down. The development of direct digital synthesis allows a device to produce an analog signal digitally, then convert it to analog. Direct digital synthesis devices are small and energy efficient. They are built with fewer components but improve device performance. For now, most direct digital synthesis tools are used in communications systems and in industrial and biomedical applications. As they shrink, however, they can be embedded into a plethora of devices and machinery.

GPS for Everyone

As GPS electronics evolve, their decreasing size and increasing accuracy will allow them to be embedded in all sorts of devices for personal use. What is now military technology will eventually become mainstream and experts predict that it is likely there will be few devices lacking GPS technology.

Trending ideas for the future use of this technology include a lot more potential for personal safety devices to track people and possessions. The prevention of crimes such as theft and abduction is certainly a worthwhile development.

Another application of GPS technology is self-driven vehicles. People who are hindered from driving due to a disability may eventually have access to personal transportation with a self-

driven car. Vehicles carrying munitions or dangerous chemicals can be self-driven, reducing the risk for accident and injury.

Natural disasters and other large-scale events may be measured and managed through GPS tracking. GPS devices with infrared scanners can assess the area of a forest fire and determine its boundaries. This allows responders to assess the danger and spread of the fire and act accordingly.

GPS-enabled site-specific farming gives farmers the tools to create higher crop yields, minimize chemical use, and work in all sorts of weather conditions. By using GPS technology, farmers have greater control over agricultural production and environmental protection.

Environmental applications of GPS technology include mapping and studying environmental change. Researchers are able to access hard-to reach areas and keep track of rare animals. GPS technology allows scientists to track patterns in the weather and earth and potentially predict major events such as floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Perhaps one day all civilians will be able to receive alerts of impending disasters via personal communication devices.

GPS-enhanced technology continues to improve efficiency and safety in aviation. Stronger signals improve ground approach, flight patterns, and poor-visibility flying. More accurate systems improve in-flight and landing safety and overall effectiveness of operations.

Safety and Disaster Relief

• Anticipating earthquakes


• Tracking the spread of fires


• Guiding emergency vehicles


• Sensing and reporting vehicle crashes

Crime Prevention and Response

• Tracking property


• Finding abducted people


• Locating gunshots

Transportation

• Providing information for carpool use


• Preventing accidents


• Providing navigation services


• Tracking freight


• Guiding self-driven vehicles

Agriculture

• Planning farms


• Mapping fields


• Guiding self-driven tractors

Environment

• Tracking and predicting weather


• Tracking endangered animals


• Gathering information


• Studying difficult-access areas

Aviation

• Streamlining air routes


• Increasing safety


• Reducing flight time, workload, and operating costs

These applications are just a tiny sample of the uses for GPS equipment. Daily applications and inventions of this versatile technology continue to serve and advance mankind. What will GPS technology bring in the future? The potential for application of this amazing tool seems limited only by man’s creative abilities.

Shrinking GPS Technology Allows for Broader Applications

Tappan Zee Construction Uses GPS Technology for Added Safety

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A few miles north of Manhattan and its famous bridges (the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, George Washington Bridge, etc.) is another historic and important New York State bridge: the Tappan Zee Bridge. Crossing the Hudson River at a spot called Tappan Zee (one of the river’s widest points), it connects Tarrytown to South Nyack. The original bridge—the longest bridge in New York State—opened in 1955. In the nearly sixty years since then, the population of the area and therefore its traffic congestion have dramatically increased. The bridge’s aging infrastructure, coupled with the fact that it carries far more traffic each day than it was designed to carry have resulted in the need to replace it. That immense project, costing nearly $4 billion, began in 2013.

What does all this have to do with GPS technology? To answer that, let’s look at the project, the problem, and the solution.

The Project

As stated above, the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project will cost nearly $4 billion; it’s scheduled to take five years to complete (2013–18). Also known as “the New New York Bridge” project, the replacement bridge will be designed to last a century before it needs any significant structural upgrades.

The finished bridge will consist of two roadways, one heading east and the other heading west, separated by a wide gap. Each roadway will have multiple lanes to accommodate all kinds of traffic—regular commuter traffic, buses, light rail, bicycles, and pedestrians. One aspect of the project that makes it unique and more difficult is that it’s part of Interstate 87/287, which means that on the west side of the river it has to curve toward the north and on the east side of the river it has to curve toward the south.

The Problem

Not long after the project began, safety for recreational and commercial boaters became a real concern when barges that were part of the construction project broke free from their moorings and floated downriver. One of these events took place in January 2014 when, during a storm, a pair of barges broke free and floated away. One of them traveled nearly 11 miles before it was retrieved. Another such event happened in March 2014 when a local resident saw a barge floating down the river and notified police and a news agency.

Unfortunately, according to The Journal News (White Plains, NY), construction officials acknowledged the problems only after being contacted by the Journal.

To address this serious issue, bridge construction authorities instituted a number of protocols to increase safety.

• Upgraded mooring lines on barges coupled with increased worker education.

• In March 2014 they issued a News Release entitled “Coast Guard Urges Caution Near TZ Bridge,” which stated that the construction area is a “Regulated Navigation Area (RNA), a designated area . . . within which vessel movements are restricted.” The RNA extends 500 yards in each direction north and south of the bridge.

• Also in March 2014 they issued a “Project Update” which included the following information:
  
  • The creation of a “no wake speed zone” within the RNA
  
  
  • The addition of river markers and safety buoys
  
  
  • Increased patrolling of the area by law enforcement officials
  
  
  • The equipping of Tappan Zee Bridge construction boats and barges with GPS technology
  
  

• In May 2014 Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the implementation of the GPS tracking system, stating that the system would not only protect recreational boaters but also construction crews.

• In June 2014 they issued a Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, urging boaters in the area to “proceed with caution.”

The Solution

Part of the solution involves equipping construction vessels with GPS technology. What does that mean, and how does it work to increase other boaters’ safety?

According to a “Boater Safety Information” flyer released in May 2014, there are 16 mooring locations on the river in the bridge’s construction zone—eight north of the bridge and eight south of the bridge. Each barge and all other boats that are part of the project now have GPS so that their exact location can be pinpointed at any time, day or night. Boaters and others interested in knowing their locations can simply go to http://www.newnybridge.com/barge/index.html to see the location of the 100 or so vessels involved in construction. The map there differentiates vessels that are moving from those that are stopped and specifies the Mooring Safety Zone and Regulated Navigation Area as well. Viewers can zoom and pan to gain more specific information.

The map refreshes every minute, and each vessel’s position is updated every five minutes. Thus, if a vessel were to break free and begin floating downstream, the problem would be noticed immediately, and it could be retrieved before it damaged property or caused loss of life.

Tappan Zee Construction Uses GPS Technology for Added Safety

Stolen Cell Phone Leads Cops to Burglar

No one goes to bed at night expecting to find a stranger in the room in the morning. In fact, that’s the stuff nightmares are made of. But that’s exactly what happened to a Seattle woman in Beacon Hill. The intruder was in the process of helping himself to a cell phone and some camera equipment when the woman awoke and confronted him. When she pushed him, he turned and ran, taking the equipment with him. Unbeknownst to the thief, his every move was being monitored by the GPS tracking device in the woman’s cell phone. When police showed up at his doorstep a short time later, they saw the camera equipment on the front porch. They then called the woman’s cell phone number and heard the phone ringing inside the house. That was enough for a warrant, and the suspect was arrested that same morning.

How GPS Tracking Assists Police in Solving Crimes

GPS tracking devices have been instrumental in helping police nab many suspected criminals. In all of the following cases, the technology proved detrimental to the thief’s plans:

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• Bank robbers with bags of stolen cash—More than once, a bank robber has made off with a load of cash after a holdup, only to be apprehended later thanks to the GPS tracking device included in the bag.

• Cell phone thefts—Because cell phones almost universally include a GPS tracking chip, police can often find the phone (and the thief) almost immediately. Phone trackers have proved instrumental in solving simple cell phone thefts as well as thefts of other items like handbags, laptop cases, and even cars.

• Car theft rings—In areas where police suspect a car theft ring of being responsible for multiple thefts, they will sometimes place a “bait vehicle.” The bait vehicle has a GPS tracker installed and police park it in a remote area where it makes a tempting target. If the thieves take the bait, police follow the tracker and in some cases have been able to dismantle the theft ring. Even if it’s a single person responsible, the bait vehicle still makes a useful tool in catching the thief red-handed.

• Warranted Tracking of Suspect Vehicles—Most states now have privacy laws in place that say police cannot track a criminal suspect’s car without a warrant. However, if police can demonstrate cause for a warrant, the trackers can be used to follow a person’s movements in order to determine whether he is engaged in criminal activity. In one recent case, police obtained a warrant to place a tracker on the car of a suspected murderer. The tracker recorded him traveling to a remote location and immediately turning around to head home with no stops. When police retraced his movements, they discovered the body of a woman who had been missing for quite some time.

Restrictions on Cell Phone Tracking

Recently, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled the police could not check data (including GPS tracking data) on the cell phones of people they arrest. Because the information contained in today’s phones tends to be both extensive and personal, police must obtain a warrant before searching a phone. Some lawmakers hope for even more restrictions on cell phone tracking, including a requirement that anyone using location data for marketing or other purposes must first obtain the permission of the phone owner. Such a law would be a game-changer for location-based marketing and for business models like FourSquare, which use a person’s location data to encourage patronage of local businesses.

It’s Tough to Be a Thief

Being a thief isn’t as easy as it used to be. Not only do you have to worry about breaking into the house without being seen and without setting off an alarm, being careful to leave no fingerprints or other identifiers, and meeting armed homeowners, but now you must also worry about the possibility of carrying a tracking device out of the house with you. Tracking devices can be anywhere: in a cell phone, in a laptop, in a jewelry box, tucked into a briefcase or backpack. You could toss one into your trunk and forget that it’s there.

That’s tough if you’re a thief. But if you’re a responsible law-abiding citizen, GPS tracking may just be one of the best ways to protect yourself and your property on the market today. There’s no need to confront the thief or put yourself in danger. Simply provide the tracking information to the police, and they’ll be well on the way to recovering what was stolen.

As a crime-fighting tool, GPS tracking has proven its worth time and time again. Perhaps one day, thieves will wise up and quit leading police straight to their doors. But until then, GPS tracking in cell phones and other devices is standing by to offer assistance.

Stolen Cell Phone Leads Cops to Burglar

Cyber-Poaching: Creating Controversy over GPS Conservation Methods

Environmental groups use various Global Positioning System (GPS) conservation methods to manage wildlife and their habitats. Areas around the world that were previously impenetrable to man are now able to be studied via a wide variety of GPS applications. As technology develops, so, too, do the means to improve conservation efforts.

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One valuable aspect of GPS tracking is the efficiency of data collection and evaluation. This enables the tracking of large scale tasks. For example, countries can manage certain regulatory systems through GPS tracking. Border delineation, mining operations, logging management, and weather monitoring are just a few of the tasks made simpler through GPS supervision.

Researchers use GPS to monitor the environment by tracking natural events such as the spread of forest fires, earthquake activity, and wildlife migrations. As animal populations are tracked, conservationists learn many things about the animals, including their habitat, diet, and group size.

GPS Trackers Used for Endangered Wildlife Conservation

One particularly large scale task that is managed through GPS conservation methods is the tracking of endangered species. Specialists put collars on animals they wish to monitor and these collars send out regular signals indicating when the animals move, feed, and sleep. Those observing an animal’s behavior receive data that allows them to provide assistance if the animal becomes ill or trapped in a snare. When a distress signal is received, teams of rangers respond quickly with aid to help the troubled animal.

Because the typical GPS collar costs around $5,000 and lasts approximately eight months, they are used for some of the most valuable or endangered animals: tigers, rhinoceroses, and wild dogs. Some GPS collars include metal plates that can prevent choking if the animal wearing the collar is snared. These collars have saved the lives of many endangered animals.

GPS Devices Hacked by Cyber-Poachers

In some cases, GPS tracking devices have enabled conservationists to prevent or catch poachers trying to kill and harvest parts from endangered animals. Unfortunately, a number of poachers have found ways to get around the capabilities of these devices, even trying to use them to track down endangered animals through online hacking. The act of a poacher trying to hack into GPS location data has been termed “cyber-poaching”. Although no known attempts have succeeded, the fact that the possibility exists for poachers to use the Internet to gain access to information on the location of endangered animals has many people concerned. Even encrypted data may be penetrated, which puts the animals in even greater danger.

Poachers are motivated by the high prices earned through selling endangered animals, whole or in parts. Tigers are especially valuable, with individual parts selling for up to $2,000 and entire animals obtaining $50,000 on the black market. Experts estimate that the trafficking of endangered wildlife brings in between $7.8 to $10 billion per year. With such a high income at their disposal, poachers are a step ahead of the game in terms of technology. And because they can afford good equipment, poachers’ equipment easily rivals that of preserve rangers.

Petitions for the Removal of GPS Collars

The market for poached items continues to grow, and dealers in illegal products use code words on sites to prevent detection. Illegal products made from poached animals, like medicine, jewelry, and decorative pieces, may be sold very quickly through the online black market. As economies rise and countries gain greater access to the Internet, illegal animal sales will continue to increase. The demand for more and more endangered animal products will raise prices and profits for poachers, creating even more motivation for cyber-poaching.

Some conservationists are concerned that the use of GPS collars to track animals will make it easier for poachers to find and kill endangered species. A number of concerned organizations have posted online petitions requesting that GPS collars not be used to track tigers. These people hope that removing the collars will prevent the animals from becoming easy targets for cyber-savvy poachers.

Additional Tracking Measures Address Concerns

Though they recognize the threat posed by the potential for data hacking, rangers continue to believe that the benefits of GPS conservation methods outweigh the risks. Some preserves have seen increases in tiger populations thanks to GPS tracking, and rangers continue to find ways to monitor and protect these highly-prized animals. Some teams of rangers use the GPS collars to stay within 1,600 feet of endangered tigers, while others plan to use surveillance drones and wireless sensors to detect human invasion in restricted areas.

Thanks to the dedication of these preservationists and others like them, endangered species populations are increasing. The threat of ever more aggressive poachers will always exist, but the vigilance of those who want to ensure the protection of these animals continues to bring hope that endangered populations will thrive and continue to grow.

Cyber-Poaching: Creating Controversy over GPS Conservation Methods

GPS and Indian Politics

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In December 2012, a 23-year-old woman and her male companion boarded a private bus near South Delhi after a night out. The couple was immediately assaulted, and the woman was repeatedly raped by the male passengers as well as the driver of the bus. The woman later died from the injuries she sustained in the attack. The incident caused immediate public and violent outcry against a government that fails to protect its citizens, especially its female citizens. Laws were passed and changes implemented to protect passengers on public transportation, including a plan to install GPS-enabled navigation and surveillance equipment in all buses, cluster buses, and autorickshaws.

A Flawed Plan

In order to provide protection and security for its women, many of whom have no other means of getting around than public transportation or private buses, the Indian government decided to outfit all modes of transportation with GPS equipment in 32 cities throughout the country. But citizens may not be getting the high level of protection they expect because the large companies that manufacture GPS devices won’t do business with the government.

• Mapmy India has an annual revenue of more than $16.5 million and a growth rate of 800% over the last 5 years. They provide not only navigation devices but also surveillance equipment, but their head of marketing, Deepro Ganguly, says that working with the government “is very opaque. There is way too much confusion.”

• Arya Omnitalk Wireless Solutions is another large company in India that provides global positioning system services to Delhi police vans as well as radio taxis and corporate fleets. They have approximately 400 employees, but the company’s chief operating officer and chief technology officer, Saumil Dhru, reports that “in government tenders, there are so many unorganized players. There is no point in putting time and energy in these.”

Companies like these argue that the government has low entry barriers that allow smaller, less organized, and often low budget companies win bids for government contracts. They also complain that the government expects high-quality equipment and technology at unrealistically low prices, again letting less respectable companies bid and undercutting the very security the government hopes to attain.

A Case in Point

The government has many contracts ready to be handed out, but they lack not only regulations that would ensure a reliable GPS system but also an up-to-date and centralized monitoring system. It does no good to have a monitoring device on a bus if the data is not monitored by law enforcement who can immediately step into a situation. In Delhi, for example, the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) sees that the city’s cluster buses are automatically fitted with GPS units, but they awarded the contract to a less than ideal company.

Sobha Applied DSP was once an arm of the Sobha Developers, a real estate company, not a GPS manufacturing company. The company denies continued connection with its parent firm, but it did keep its name. They import their GPS equipment from Germany, undercutting India-based companies like MapmyIndia and Arya Omnitalk. They also supply GPS units for autorickshaws without the manufacturer’s license required for the fair meter. They maintain a tie-up with Pulsar Technologies, which the DIMTS lists on their website as an independent Bangalore company, though the fact is that the two companies share the same phone number. The DIMTs backs their decision, however, claiming that all devices were checked before installation. They also claim that they oversee the data collection and penalize drivers for speeding and reckless driving; however, the data is not yet connected to any police control room or law enforcement agency.

A Big Market

With so much at stake, the government cannot afford to lower its standards by alienating the bigger, organized companies that offer real solutions for real problems in favor of low-budget operations that are inferior. The statistics seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t pay to cut corners.

• The anticipated Indian market for GPS devices that fit in a car is 100,000 units.


• There are 5,000 buses in the city of Delhi alone; almost 4,000 are Delhi Transport Corporation buses with more than 1,000 cluster buses. Only 982 of these are equipped with GPS technology.


• Only new automobiles come equipped with GPS, leaving 55,000 old cars lacking basic navigation equipment.


• The estimated cost of outfitting all the remaining buses and automobiles with GPS devices is in excess of $65 million (385 crore).

Large companies like MapmyIndia and Arya Omnitalk know what it takes to have a sound, reliable, and potentially life-saving system in place, complete with high-quality GPS units and a centralized monitoring base. But if they are not willing to even bid because of the politics and bureaucracy of India’s government, there is not much hope that India’s people, especially its women, will find security in its public transportation.

GPS and Indian Politics

GPS-Guided Transportation for the Elderly

CC Image courtesy of Garry Knight via Flickr

We live in an aging society. As the Greatest Generation passes on, the Baby Boomers are swelling the ranks of the elderly. In fact, the National Center on Senior Transportation anticipates that by 2020, one out of every six people will be over the age of 65. And medical advancements have paved the way for these seniors to live even longer lives than generations past; however, with age comes failing health and disabilities with increased need of care. Organizations, family members, and individuals themselves are realizing the value technology has in not only improving their lives but also in making them more fulfilling. One such technological advancement is global positioning systems. From GPS-enabled devices in the form of phones, bracelets, and even shoes to GPS-empowered programs such as Project Lifesaver and Comfort Zone, GPS is helping seniors and others unable to care for themselves stay safe. Now transportation companies for the elderly are looking to GPS to help them better manage the increasing demands for service.

An Overwhelming Need

Thousands of citizens in every city across the country are unable to provide transportation for themselves in order to get to things like basic healthcare appointments and social functions. Some have no car or are just not able to drive anymore. Caretakers are not always available to drive a loved one here and there due to their own responsibilities and obligations. Still others have no access to safe public transportation, such as city buses or trains, either because of the area they live in or just the physical difficulties they have. With stairs to climb and crowds of people to negotiate, the elderly and the disabled are just not able to get around like they need to and like they want to. The director of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) says, “It is a silent need that a lot of individuals feel shame in sharing . . . because who wants to admit . . . that you have no means to travel?” Even for the able-bodied, it is sometimes difficult to ask for help. How much more for those who have lived through wars and economic setbacks through their own strength and independence but now have to rely on others for their basic way of life?

An Inspiring Solution

Society owes it to these brave wardens of the past to protect their independence. And various agencies, nonprofit organizations, and government offices are stepping up to make that happen by providing systems of transportation to help seniors and others in need of medical assistance live a normal life as much as possible. Providing transportation to medical appointments, the grocery store, the bank, the barber or hairdresser, and anywhere else the person may need to go, including social events, makes them feel alive and a part of society. But with an increase in the number of elderly and disabled, the demand on these transportation services is great. That’s where GPS technology can lend a helping hand. Places like Washington County, Pennsylvania, are tapping into the vast resources and applications of GPS to increase their efficiency and provide better service to those they care and provide for.

• The Program—Washington Rides is a public program that is 85% paid for by the Pennsylvania Lottery and subsidized by another 7.5% by the Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, giving those needing it an affordable means of transportation. The program is designed primarily to help those over the age of 65 as well as those who are disabled or have medical conditions preventing them from driving. They provide door to door service and rides that are usually less than an hour. Drivers are not only trained on how to drive but also on how to assist their passengers, always being sensitive to their needs.

• The Plan—Drivers for the Washington Rides paratransit system now use tablet type computers installed with GPS software to get their passenger manifests each day. Once the addresses are geo-coded into the system, the GPS takes over to plan an efficient and organized route for picking up and dropping off customers.

• The Power—Senior citizens and those with disabilities now have a reliable means of getting from one place to another that gives them a sense of self-empowerment. Instead of being institutionalized, housebound, or dependent on someone else’s schedule, they can now get a ride that is convenient for them. They can reserve a ride the day before and are guaranteed safe, dependable transport within a 15-minute window of their reservation time Monday through Friday.

This is just one example of how GPS can help already over-extended transportation organizations reach and assist more people. By systematizing routes and creating databases of information, these agencies can focus on caring for the elderly and getting them where they need to be. And the elderly can focus on living their lives to the fullest, passing onto the next generation their wisdom and experiences.

GPS-Guided Transportation for the Elderly

New York Lawmakers Consider Bill to Restrict GPS Stalking

GPS tracking is a powerful tool, and like any tool it can be used both for constructive and destructive purposes. Tracking technology enables citizens to protect themselves and others, find lost cell phones and laptops, keep track of their pets, and benefit in many other ways. But in the hands of a criminal, it can also be used with criminal intent. One such usage of the technology is GPS-enabled stalking.

In 2012, Jackie Wisniewski contacted police and told them she was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Tim Jorden. Jorden had placed a GPS tracking device on her car without her knowledge and was threatening her. Wisniewski chose not to press charges because she was afraid of what Jorden might do. Unfortunately, at that time, GPS stalking was not a crime, and police could not take further action unless the victim chose to press charges. Months later, Wisniewski was murdered by Jorden, who then took his own life.

Stories like this one have prompted lawmakers in New York to consider a bill that would criminalize the use of GPS tracking to stalk someone. Both the state senate and the assembly have passed the bill, and it is now awaiting review by the governor.

Beating Criminals at Their Own Game

While it’s true that GPS tracking can be used inappropriately by those with malicious intentions, the same technology can also be used to protect the innocent and defend victims. One example is the use of GPS tracking to alert domestic violence victims to potential danger. Minnesota, Maine, and Pennsylvania (among other states) have all proposed legislation that would allow authorities to monitor offenders using a GPS tracking device. Most often worn as an ankle bracelet, the device would send an alert when the wearer crosses a specified boundary, giving victims enough advance warning to escape a potentially dangerous situation.

Some programs of this type are voluntary, and would allow offenders to qualify for monitored release. Others would allow authorities to require that offenders wear the bracelets if the potential for harm is considered extreme. Conditions of the program include:

• Offender must wear monitoring device at all times


• If a boundary is crossed, both the victim and the monitoring agency receive alerts


• If the device is removed, both victim and monitoring agency receive alerts


• Violations can result in charges or imprisonment

Victims reported feeling safer when they knew that the offender was wearing a bracelet as compared to a traditional restraining order. If the offender violates the restraining order, victims may not be able to escape harm since police often cannot respond quickly enough. However, with the bracelets, the advance warning often provides plenty of time for a victim to get to safety and for police to locate and restrain the offender.

The End of GPS Stalking

Despite the many positive applications of GPS tracking, including monitoring domestic violence offenders, there remains the stark possibility of the technology being used to harass. In the case of Jackie Wisniewski, GPS stalking played a key role in Jorden’s intimidation and possible murder of his victim. Because using a GPS tracking device to stalk someone had not yet been made a criminal offense, the police were limited in their ability to take preventive action. In this case, the victim’s fear of reprisal played right into the hands of the offender, enabling him to continue his threatening behavior without fear of police action.

For this reason, many states are now considering laws that restrict the use of GPS technology to track a person without his or her knowledge or against his will. Some situations that could fall under this category include:

• Police tracking of a suspect without a warrant—Most states now have laws in place that prevent police officers from placing a tracking device on a suspect’s car without a warrant. This falls under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.


• GPS stalking—As we’ve already discussed, several states have proposed legislation to make stalking someone using GPS tracking a criminal offense.


• Cell phone searches after an arrest—On June 25, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that police officers could not conduct searches of the cell phones owned by people who were arrested. Because most cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities and many users have also installed GPS-enabled apps, this ruling would also protect against police searches of an arrested person’s recent movements without a warrant.

Can GPS Stalking Laws Stop Domestic Violence?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to prevent every single case of domestic violence. However, many victims sustain additional injuries during second or third assaults. It is these cases that can largely be prevented by GPS stalking laws, especially when implemented in conjunction with GPS monitoring of offenders. With such powerful technology at our fingertips, it is our responsibility to help prevent criminals from using that technology to perpetrate violence.

New York Lawmakers Consider Bill to Restrict GPS Stalking

Chronicling Your Off Road Adventures with Spot Trace

If you like to spend your free time on a four-wheeler in remote areas of the country, you’ll be glad to know about Spot Trace, an anti-theft GPS device designed for the rugged road. This system relies solely on GPS coverage, so you can get a signal just about anywhere – even in remote desert areas. And it’ll send a progress report to as many cell phones and email addresses that you choose. You could even keep your friends up to date on where you are in your adventure!

Why Invest in a GPS System for Your Off Road Trips?

CC Image courtesy of NRMA New Cars via Flickr

There are many advantages to having a GPS tracking device with you on your off road adventures. We know, you may feel deprived of the freedom of being out in the wide open spaces all by yourself, just you and your four-wheeler. However, if an accident were to occur, it’s great for someone to be able to come and find you without having to search too hard.

In addition to being a potentially life-saving device, this GPS system can simply be a means of keeping in touch with your family at home. If your wife isn’t too keen on off road adventures, she can at least be notified of your whereabouts as you explore on your own or with a friend.

One of the primary motivations behind the creation of the Spot Trace was to prevent theft. You’ve invested a lot into your four-wheeler, and you don’t want someone snatching it away from you as you take a walk to enjoy the scenery. While you can’t completely prevent theft with this GPS tracking device, you can start tracking your vehicle as soon as you realize that it’s taken.

So, What Does the Spot Trace Do?

Spot Trace devices rely solely on satellite technology. As long as weather conditions and foliage density are okay, your four wheeler can be tracked even in the remotest locations.

The device utilizes the vibrations of your vehicle to detect movement. So, as long as you’re moving, it can be transmitting messages to your programmed phone numbers and email addresses as often as every 2-1/2 minutes or as far apart as every hour.

The Spot Trace is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It can easily fit into your backpack or in a small storage unit on your four wheeler. And since it weighs just over three ounces, you won’t even notice that it’s there!

Even though it’s small, this device is incredibly durable. It’s designed to be shaken around a little, since that’s what happens on off road adventures. It’s also designed to survive in most climates. It works best at temperatures ranging from -22 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Users have found that using AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium 8x batteries provide the longest battery life for this little device. That usually provides four to eight days of transmissions if you’re sending notifications every five minutes during constant movement. It will last for several months if you’re only riding about an hour a day and transmitting once during that time.

The initial cost for the Spot Trace device is currently $119.99. You’ll also need to purchase a service plan in order to transmit your location. The basic plan is $99.99 per year. If you’ll be transmitting reports at the maximum of every 2-1/2 minutes the plan’s cost doubles.

You’ll manage your Spot Trace account online. You’ll have your own unique account with a username and password. You’ll then have a wide variety of options to activate. As mentioned earlier, you can be notified while the unit is in motion. You can also be notified if the unit is ever powered off or if the battery is getting low. If you’re on a several day trip, you can program it to send a daily status update.

One of the cool items on your Spot Trace account is the ability to see where you’ve been. Once you get back from a trip, you can log in and pull up a map of your travels. This is also helpful if you have friends or family at home that want to keep track of where you’re going on your adventure. Just provide them with your unique username and password. They can see a map of where you’ve been and where you are currently located.

GPS Tracking during Off Road Trips – Is It Worth It?

It depends on your perspective. If you go on your off road adventures alone, it may be worth it to be transmitting your location home to a family member or friend. You can decide on a time to check in by calling or coming back. If you haven’t arrived or contacted anyone, then it’s time for your designated friend to pull up the map and find out where you are. Chances are, you may need help. Some would also consider Spot Trace well worth the expense for the tracking ability in case the vehicle is stolen. It’s much easier to find a stolen vehicle if you can track its location every five minutes or so!

Chronicling Your Off Road Adventures with Spot Trace

GPS and Wildfires

If you live in an area of the country where wildfires are common, then you know jut how important it is to prevent them. Sometimes, they can start on their own due to high desert temperatures. Whatever the cause of a wildfire, the important thing is to respond as quickly as possible to minimize devastation and risk to homes that might be in the fire’s path. To date, there have been nineteen fires in Arizona alone from April 21st – June 26th. Currently, firefighters rely on tree trimming to help them access areas that have caught on fire. It thins out the forest and allows firefighters easier access to the area that is impacted so they can begin their work.

CC Image courtesy of USFWS/Southeast via Flickr

Forests in areas prone to wildfires are also thinned out as a preventative measure in this fashion. However, wildlife prevention experts say these efforts to thin the forest are slow and expensive – a lot of work goes into determining which trees and limbs need to be cut, and then comes the problem of directing tree trimmers to these precise locations.

Pat Graham, executive director of the Nature Conservancy of Arizona, said they’ve discovered a way to get the job done more quickly and efficiently – hand held GPS tracking devices. “By incorporating technology that didn’t even exist 10 to 15 years ago, like tablet computers, GPS and cameras, we’re able to program and keep track of the thinning that goes on,” Graham said.

How It Helps

They will begin using GPS tracking devices and cameras directly on the wood cutting equipment used during the thinning process. It will show the operator of the wood cutter precisely where they need to be, which leads to more being cleared in less time. It is Graham’s hope these GPS devices will be even more “smart” – he wants the GPS technology to be improved to the point wood cutters will be able to indicate exactly which trees have been cut in any given area, which cuts time even more substantially.

Saving Time and Lives

So just how fast does the addition of the GPS device to the wood cutter make the process? It is estimated that just one wood cutter using the GPS technology could cut 20 acres per day. This technology will not only help residents and wildlife, it will aid firefighters as well.

They have an incredibly dangerous job. In 2011, an Arizona wildfire made headlines and took the lives of 19 firefighters. Across the country in Florida, two rangers were killed during a forest fire there. Most of these fires take lives when it’s difficult for firefighters to determine the location of the fire within the dense forest, a problem eased by the trimming and cutting.

GPS in the Line of Fire

GPS tracking is being used in a different way altogether, although with the same end result of saving lives and land. The Florida Forest Service equips firefighters out in the field with GPS tracking devices so that they know exactly where they are at all times in order to keep them safe. The supervisor is able to set location points in their laptops, hand out the tracking devices to firefighters headed out to battle the blaze, and watch in real-time the location of each of them.

It allows them to provide assistance to those who become disoriented in thick fog as well. As the manager of the Orlando district of firefighters said, “It’s a tool in our toolbox to make sure we know where our firefighters are to the best of our ability.”

As new as the system is, they’re testing it out in order to see exactly what it can do. They want to make sure that the GPS devices are as accurate as they can possibly be. In these tests, data is sent to the supervisor’s laptop every 30 seconds which tracks their location, direction, speed, and unit identification.

In the future, they’re hoping to add other handy functions to the technology, like cameras. This will enable firefighters to transmit supervisors’ pictures of the fire they’re battling.

Already There in Oregon

Oregon is already on top of it, testing out new technology to aid firefighters in their quest to put out wildfires. The Oregon Department of Forestry is about to test out the use of small remote-controlled helicopters complete with video, infrared cameras, and a GPS location device to get a bird’s eye view from the fire itself before firefighters even leave the station.

“You are always looking for improved visibility of your fire,” said Brian Ballou, fire prevention specialist with the forestry service. “It just cuts down on your unknowns.”

It can only fly about 400 feet above the ground, the only clearance the Federal Aviation Administration would give it, and it can only fly for about 30 minutes with the limitations of the gas tanks. It measures about 5 feet long, and has one thing a manned aircraft doesn’t : the ability to fly in zero-visibility conditions. As Marty Rogers, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration said, “I tell people if the job is dull, dirty, or dangerous, it probably is good for unmanned aircraft.”

GPS technology is changing the game for firefighters all over the country who worry about wildfires. Thanks to all of these advancements, it will become easier as time passes.

GPS and Wildfires

iPhone GPS Can't Keep Them From Cheating

CC Image courtesy of Nicolas Nova via Flickr

Though it may come as a shock to some, your iPhone cannot expose a cheating partner. “But wait,”I hear you say, “it features a GPS device, and it can track your partner’s every move!” According to a private investigator interviewed by New Zealand’s TV ONE, the GPS tracking device within your iPhone might document their every move, but it won’t matter – if your partner is going to cheat, they’ll find a way to do it.

Julia Hartley Moore runs a website where she claims she has “specialist expertise in uncovering infidelity,” and she said that people are more frequently turning to the apps that put to use the cheater’s GPS device built into their iPhone. “This is something they will put in their cars,” she said.

However, Moore points out, “The bad thing is that people are still going to cheat.” It seems that no matter how much you poke your nose into your cheating partner’s business, they are going to find a way regardless. Or are they?

TV ONE Investigates

TV ONE hosts Ali Pugh and Rawdon Christie decided to see just how a person’s iPhone GPS tracker works on their morning show, and followed one of their colleagues virtually via her phone. It showed her exact location over the course of a few months, and how long she spent wherever she went. The data is available to anyone with an iPhone using the Frequent Location Services function, located in the Settings menu on the iPhone.

They were able to determine where she had been, like one Saturday night, where she was tracked to a Mission Bay restaurant. She remained there from 7-8:30 pm, and then headed to Albany where she watched a movie from 8:52-11:10 pm at a cinema there.

According to Apple, the tracker exists to help people “learn the places that are significant to you and to improve traffic routing services.” All data is stored locally on your phone – Apple assures that this information is not shared with any third party services.

Find My Friends

Another app that Apple says is “a great way to share your location with people who are important to you” has been said to be great for catching a cheater in the act. In fact, one user posted his experience on MacRumors.com in 2011, explaining that the app showed her everywhere his wife was when she sent text messages. It also exposed her lie.

“I got my wife a new 4S and loaded up Find My Friends without her knowing,” he wrote. “She told me she was at her friend’s house in the East Village. I’ve had suspicions about her meeting this guy who lives uptown. Lo and behold, Find My Friends has her right there.”

He proceeded to text her to find out where she was, comparing her answer with the GPS location data provided by the app. They did not match up whatsoever, and now this husband is taking the screenshots of data that catch her in the lie straight to court, where he predicts victory. He said, “Thankfully, she’s the rich one.”

The ‘Infidelity App’

The Daily Mail reported that GPS location data is stored complete with a time and date stamp, and this data is then uploaded to the computer when the device is synced. It’s called the ‘infidelity app,’ and was uncovered by two software developers from the UK.

One man responsible for the discovery, Pete Warden, said, “Apple has made it possible for almost anybody – a jealous spouse, a private detective – with access to your phone or computer to get detailed information about where you’ve been.”

In response to the discovery, they set up a webpage where iPhone users can see exactly what location data is accessible on their phone. They say that although other smartphones have a GPS device, they don’t store the information that Apple does. What’s more, you don’t even need to consent – the iPhone tracks this data regardless.

Daniel Hamilton is the director of Big Brother Watch, a privacy advocacy group. He said, “I think the most concerning thing is that people are simply unaware that this vast database is being created. People ought to be able to move around freely without accumulating a digital record of all their movements.”

It seems the New Zealand private investigator has no idea the power of the iPhone in uncovering a cheater. Apple said that although they do collect the data, “We do not store location data, Maps searches, or Siri requests in any identifiable form.” They claim the data is collected anonymously. However, they say the collection of location data will be key in “smart homes” – they have been awarded a patent for technology that “can adaptively track a user’s location and use the data to intelligently control secondary devices at another locale, such as home appliances.” For example, if you are on your way home, the phone will know exactly when to open up the garage door for you.

There are numerous apps designed to catch a cheater. The logical thing to do: don’t cheat, and you can’t get caught.

What are your thoughts on apps such as this, and the fact that Apple logs all of this information? Will it change the way you use your mobile device?

iPhone GPS Can't Keep Them From Cheating

India: Improving Police Response Time With GPS

The safety of women in India moved to the forefront two years ago after a 23-year-old female paramedic student was gang raped on a New Delhi bus. Just five months ago, their government approved an addition to the budget earmarked for the safety of women, their response to an unforgivable act that led to the death of that female student, and a way to strengthen laws protecting women’s safety.

CC Image courtesy of Harini Calamur via Flickr

Part of the plan, proposed by acting chief secretary Sajal Chakraborty and transportation commissioner Manoj Kumar: all mass transit vehicles all across the state must install GPS devices within the next two months. Beyond that point, anyone wishing to obtain a road permit for their mass transit vehicle must install a GPS tracking device. How will these devices help protect women? Let’s take a look at the case, and how this technology might have saved her life.

The Brutal Incident

The victim was leaving an evening showing of the movie Life of Pi with a male friend when four men lured them onto their private bus, inviting them to ride around the city with them. They agreed, and upon entering the bus, the four men beat the male friend to incapacitate them. They then pinned the woman down and each of the four men took turns raping her themselves, and with a metal rod, which left her with such horrific injuries, she later died in a Singapore hospital.

The incident was highly publicized, and when the four men were brought to court to face murder charges, they were sentenced to death, ordered to the gallows. Judge Yogesh Khanna said, in his decision, that the attack “shocked the collective conscience” of India. “In these times, when crime against women is on the rise, the courts cannot turn a blind eye towards such gruesome crimes.”

Because they were sentenced to death the order moves up to India’s High Court, where the men will appeal. Since 2004, only two people have been put to death, both terrorists. Some people there believe that the judge only sentenced them to death due to political pressure. However, it signifies the winds of change are moving in.

The Way It Is

Women are still stuck in their traditional role, which is to serve men. In fact, when they head out to town, they are bombarded by lewd comments and are even groped by complete strangers, called “eve-teasing,” as they walk about. Women there typically don’t go out in the evening or at night unless they are accompanied by a male companion to keep them safe. In this student’s case, even that didn’t keep her safe.

Protester Satvinder Kaur said, “Too often the pressure is on the girls to stay safe. But parents need to take responsibility for their sons. The culture will only change when mother stop their sons from going out late at night, when they make it clear they will not stand behind them if they do something like this.” She believes the ruling sent standing behind them.”

How GPS Will Help

The government approved a proposal regarding GPS devices and video recording for 32 cities that have a population over one million after recommendations of a committee set up to make recommendations regarding the safety of women, a response to the rape. This proposal includes setting up GPS tracking for the entire nation, placing command centers in each state to oversee data collection.

The goal – have each and every passenger vehicle linked up to both these command centers and more local control rooms, allowing police to find the scene of a crime immediately. If someone is in trouble, they simply press an emergency button which triggers data being sent to the local authorities including the victim’s GPS location data and which mass transit vehicle they are riding in. The nearest patrol car will receive this location data as well, allowing them to respond as quickly as possible. The addition of the cameras allows the control center to view pictures of the incident as it unfolds, showing them the exact nature of the emergency.

Getting the Job Done

The state transport secretary met with various officials recently, discussing the best way to implement the system. Department of Transportation records show 30 lakh (3 million) vehicles registered in Jharkhand through last year. About 25 percent of those are auto-rickshaws or buses. Acting chief secretary said, “We have been trying to launch an integrated tracking system for quite some time.

After the Delhi gang rape, it has become mandatory for all states to ensure safety of women on public transport.” A notification will be sent out to all owners of mass transit vehicles, and they will need to install the GPS tracking devices as soon as possible. In talks with the bus and auto associations, things look promising – they appear to be on board with the plan, and compliance shouldn’t be an issue. They hope to have everything worked out and the mandate in place in two months.

India: Improving Police Response Time With GPS

Elephant Conservation Improved by GPS Technology

Here at the Rocky Mountain Tracking blog, we’ve shared many stories over the years about ways GPS technology is used by wildlife biologists and researchers. We’ve published stories about bear tracking, rhino tracking, eagle tracking, cat tracking and many others. Over the last couple of years, we’ve noticed a shift from GPS tracking being used mostly for wildlife research, to seeing the technology used in real-time conservation efforts.

CC Image courtesy of SarahDepper on Flickr

In a way, just about all wildlife tracking is done with the welfare of the animal being tracked in mind. One could argue that all wildlife GPS tracking is part of a conservation effort. What is new is how the technology is being used to combat the massive poaching problem threatening endangered species around the world. Combining GPS with other technologies, such as drones or satellite imaging, has enabled teams of conservationists to better capture and even prevent poachers from killing wildlife for profit.

A study using GPS and other advanced satellite technologies to monitor African elephants was recently published in the Ecological Applications journal by researchers from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Colorado State University, U.S.; and Save the Elephants, Kenya. “GPS, GSM and satellite phone technologies are rapidly becoming the pen and paper of animal field biologists,” explained Jake Wall, lead author of the study. “The GPS trail of an animal, combined with data from satellite imagery and other remote sensors, can give us a detailed picture of where the animal is, what it is doing and what it might be experiencing.”

Unfortunately, the black market for ivory and animal pelts is booming. The million-dollar industry attracts a lot of poachers willing to risk their lives at a chance to sell ivory. Not too long ago, we published a story about elephant poachers in Kenya being watched for by drones and GPS tracking technology. The elephants were monitored in an established animal sanctuary, but this known protected area was creating an easy target for poachers who would sneak in, kill an elephant and collects its ivory tusks. The drones would follow the elephant herds and patrol the boundaries of the sanctuary. If a poacher is spotted, authorities are immediately alerted.

“Applying technology in novel ways gives managers an edge over poachers, which is increasingly critical to the protection of elephants and many endangered species in the face of increasing sophistication in poaching networks,” said George Wittemyer from Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources. “This system is allowing us to change the risks associated with poaching, ultimately enhancing the deterrents to such illegal activities.”

This new system is similar to the one we reported involving drones. However, instead of little drones with cameras flying around the habitats, this new system uses satellite imaging from space. This imaging technology is so precise and powerful, it can actually see an elephant on earth from space. The imaging system receives the GPS location of the elephants from their collars, and researchers can record the movement and observe the behavior of elephants in the wild.

Sophisticated software algorithms monitor the GPS data from the elephants and can detect if an elephant becomes unnaturally immobile, a warning sign that the animal has been injured or killed. When this happens, the imaging software can help determine the cause of the immobility. Once it is verified that the elephant is in danger, SMS and email alerts are sent to wildlife management and enforcement to help facilitate a quick response.

The Environmental Systems Research Institute in California donated Geographical Information System (GIS) software for the research and conservation system. The software runes from the Amazon EC2 Cloud, which also powers Netflix, and allows the researchers to see real-time movements of the wildlife through Google Earth.

“Tracking of elephants has helped lift the veil on the secrets of elephant lives over the last few decades. This novel integration of smartphone technology has allowed movement data to leap from the realm of applied research into a vital conservation tool that is used daily by anti-poaching forces,” added Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Founder of Save the Elephants.

GPS tracking technology has been a huge help for animal conservationists. Not only do these advanced systems help deter and punish poachers from senselessly harming and killing vital wildlife, it also helps wildlife management assist sick or injured animals right away. Typically, it’s not so important to help a sick animal in the wild. It’s part of the natural cycle of life, and dying animals provide sustenance for other animals to thrive. However, when other forces, such as loss of habitat and/or poaching, threatens to wipe out an entire species, it’s important to help as many of that species survive and reproduce as possible.

Elephant Conservation Improved by GPS Technology

GPS Tracking Used To Help Save Livestock

The western United States is known for vast farmlands. Farming is a fairly classic American occupation and a vital one at that. A hot news headline recently has been about a massive threat to our crops: the dying bee. What you might not be hearing about is a threat to our livestock farms: wild wolves. Wolves bring up fear in most people’s imaginations. They are also associated with magic and nobility, but we must remember that wolves are dangerous predators.

Although wolves were once a staple species in the western U.S., they are quite uncommon today. In the 1940s, in order to protect local livestock and communities, wolves were completely killed off in the state of Oregon and much of the west, thanks to the help of state-sponsored hunts. Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in Idaho by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1990s. As wild wolves will want to do, they spread out to new territories, making their way back to Oregon in the late 2000s. Currently, there are eight  packs of wolves and at least 64 individuals in the state.

As scary as wolves may seem, they are a very important part of the natural ecosystem. More wolves in the west is a good thing in many ways. Unfortunately, it is hard for livestock farmers to see the return of wolves in a positive light. This is mostly because wolves like to prey on their livestock. Farmers depend on their livestock as a source of income to feed their families. Losing valuable livestock is devastating to many farmers.

Livestock farmers in the west have traditionally used Great Pyrenees and Pyrenees mix breeds as guard dogs to protect their herd. For a long time, these breeds did a fine job of protecting the livestock from the regional threats: coyotes and cougars. However, since the return of the mighty wolf, these breeds have been less successful, sometimes becoming the prey themselves.

In order to protect livestock from bigger predators, researchers want to investigate how well a bigger breed of guard dog will do. In Europe, farmers use large guard dogs to protect their livestock from wolves. Three breeds they’ve decided to try are the kangal from Turkey, the karakachan from Bulgaria, and the cap de gado transmontano from Portugal. “These are all breeds that historically have been used to protect from wolves and even brown bears,” Julie Young said, a research wildlife biologist from the National Wildlife Research Center in Logan, Utah. “The best way to find out if these dogs work is to try them,” she added.

The dogs are sent to Oregon as puppies and are almost immediately introduced to the livestock they’re protecting. “With all guard dogs this is an important stage,” explained Randy Mills, livestock agent for the Oregon State University Extension Service in Pendleton. “It’s that bond that creates that protective behavior [towards livestock] later on in life.”

Young plans to track the dogs and some of the livestock they are looking after with GPS tracking collars and simulate a predator attack. The GPS data will give her an idea of how the dogs will respond to a predator, regarding how close to the animals the dogs will stay when threatened. The fake predator will incorporate real wolf fur, but she assures us it’s not a taxidermy wolf. “It’s more like a large stuffed animal and a wolf call,” Young explained.

The research is currently centered on sheep farmers in Oregon. There is also a study being done on a farm in Washington state, as well as four in Idaho, and four more in Montana. They are primarily testing the European guard dogs with sheep, but the dogs should also be able to protect other livestock, such as cows from wolves and other predators. The one major difference that might make tracking cattle more difficult is that sheep tend to stick together, whereas cows prefer to spread out while grazing.

The research team currently has a budget of $220,000 for this year. They are being funded by Utah State University and Wildlife Services, a federal agency that is concerned with human and wildlife conflict. Some European guard dog puppies sell for around $1,500, but the researchers found kangal guard dogs for sale in Turkey for only $300. The biggest cost at the moment is shipping the dogs.

In Central Oregon, Jennifer Cole and her husband use a breed European guard dogs from Italy, called maremma, to protect their goat farm. The dogs weigh 110 to 130 pounds and patrol the farm for cougars and coyotes. They feel confident their dogs could defend their goats against wolves as well. Since Cole got the guard dogs, they went from seeing about six cougars in a year to seeing none. “We could not have goats out here without them,” Cole said.

GPS Tracking Used To Help Save Livestock

GPS Tracking Used in Rattlesnake Research

Rattlesnakes are the most deadly snakes in the United States. Snake bites account for about 12 deaths in the U.S. every year, but many more get bitten and given antivenin for a full recovery. Snakes, especially deadly ones, are scary creatures. Even harmless snakes tend to give people the creeps. Our fear of snakes is likely an instinctual reaction carried over in our genes for thousands of years. Because some snakes, like the rattler, can kill us, we fear all snakes. Most of us have a similar relationship to spiders. Most spider bites can’t kill us, but there’s a hard-wired fear of spiders in many of us.

Image courtesy of katsrcool (Kool Cats Photography) 1,000,000 + View

Although rattlesnakes are dangerous, they aren’t as dangerous as most people think. “The snakes are completely non-aggressive,” explained National Park Service biologist Bryan Hamilton. “About the only way they bit is if you try to catch them of you try to kill them, or if you accidentally stepped or sat on one.” Rattlesnakes tend to stay very close to their den and avoid human interactions. These snakes tend to stay hidden, unless they are out hunting or soaking up the sun.

Most of the time, rattlesnake bites are avoidable. Never, under any circumstances, should you try to capture or touch a rattlesnake. Snakes, just like every other wild animal, will defend itself and bite you. Of course, not all snake bites are that easily avoidable. Rattlesnakes, and most other snakes for that matter, have great camouflage. This protects them from predators, like hawks, but it also makes them difficult to spot for hikers and rock climbers who would otherwise happily avoid the snake. You may accidentally step on a snake or put your hand in a snake den while climbing and get bit. If you do get bit, it’s important to get medical attention right away. If you can, get a picture of the snake that bit you, so the right antivenin can be administered.

Snakes are dangerous, just like sharks. But just like sharks, they aren’t as dangerous as a lot of people tend to think. They are misunderstood creatures. WIth a better understanding of rattlesnakes behavior, hopefully people will be more willing to coexist with them. Brigham Young University and the National Park Service have teamed up on a rattlesnake study in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, near the Utah border. GPS tracking collars are often used in wildlife research, but due to the shape of snakes, they weren’t viable for this study. Instead, the team surgically implanted radio transmitters under the rattler’s skin.

When a snake is carefully captured, it is coaxed into a narrow tube. At one end of the tube, a cotton ball with anesthesia is placed, so the snake doesn’t feel any pain during the implantation. “It will put her to sleep for the surgery,” explained biological science technician Meg Horner. “She’ll be completely out.” The researchers track the snakes and periodically collect data on the health and whereabouts of the animals.

Tracking the rattlesnakes is fairly simple with the radio implants and a signal receiver. “As you get closer to the snake,” Hamilton said, “the signal gets louder and more intense.” The snake is weighed and body temperature is collected. GPS data and weather conditions are also recorded. Over the last five years, the team has learned quite a lot about the behavior of local rattlesnakes. They confirmed that the snakes never go very far from their dens. They travel within a mile or two while hunting, but otherwise stay fairly stationary.

The research shows that the rattlesnakes are often in places that are heavily populated by park visitors. The snakes are at the park’s visitor center and the entrance to the park’s biggest attraction: the Lehman Caves. The team also found that the rattlesnakes always go back tot he same place to hibernate every year. “They always return every fall,” Hamilton noted. “The winters out here are so harsh. If you find a good place, you want to stick with it.”

Despite the rattlesnakes’ presence in heavily populated areas, the human-snake conflicts are fairly rare. Rattlesnakes, and most wild animals for that matter, tend to avoid humans. Another great feature of this snake is that it will often try to warn you away with its rattle before biting. If you ever hear a rattle while in rattlesnake territory, stop and look around. If you can see the snake, make sure you give it plenty of space.

Did you know there is a fairly easy way to tell if a snake is venomous or not? If you can get a good view of the snake’s head, you can look for a triangular shaped head. If the head is about the same size as the body, the snake bite is not venomous. However, if the head is larger and shaped like an arrowhead, that is a sign of a venomous snake. The snake’s venom is stored in glands in the cheek/jaw area, which creates the triangular shape of the head. Keep a safe distance from all snakes, though. Even if it’s not venomous, all snakes can and will pack a powerful and painful bite.

GPS Tracking Used in Rattlesnake Research

Wildlife Management with GPS

There seems to be no end to what GPS technology can do. Not only can it get drivers from one destination to another, but it can also help meteorologists predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, athletes train more efficiently, and authorities keep track of parolees. Now, conservationists are using the amazing real-time information from global positioning systems to manage wildlife. From plants and trees to birds and animals, scientists are discovering new things about nature that will help them protect and preserve it.

What GPS Does for Wildlife Management

Over the years, urban areas have spilled over into the habitats of countless creatures of nature. Often, the animals just retreat further into their habitats to avoid humans, but sometimes they venture forth into people’s backyards or onto roads. When these encounters take place, it can be dangerous to animals and humans alike. That is why wildlife management is so important, and that is where GPS technology helps. Using GPS-enabled devices, be it a collar, a harness, direct attachment, or implant, researchers can learn much about animal behavior to help them better manage habitats as well as urban development.

• Animal population: Knowing how large herds or flocks are helps researchers determine the sustainability of a habitat. Is there enough food in the area? Is there enough space for reproduction? Will animals be forced out of their natural environment?


• Migratory patterns: Again, it is important to know how and where animals move in order to minimize run-ins with people. Some species have traversed the same routes throughout their existence, and if that pattern is interrupted by a road or subdivision, it could be detrimental.


• Foraging behavior: Where animals and humans often conflict is over food. Animals are always foraging for food, and when they find a consistent source of food, such as trashcans or vegetable gardens, they tend to stay close by. And if habitats are infringed upon, normal foraging sites could be eliminated, forcing animals into the open.

All this information and more can be obtained through GPS transmitters and receivers for the benefit of nature and society. It’s not just about a specific location but an overall behavioral pattern that scientists hope to discover.

A Very Real Example of GPS Wildlife Management

A doctoral student from North Carolina State University has teamed up with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission to study the recent influx of black bears into the city of Asheville. Several sightings and encounters led researcher Rick Gould to select Asheville as the site of his study. By monitoring the behavioral patterns of these beautiful but dangerous animals, Gould hopes to educate society and prevent life-threatening encounters.

• About the Bears: The black bear is the only species of bear naturally found in North Carolina, and it covers approximately 60% of its land area, mostly in the mountainous regions of the west, where Asheville lies, and the wooded coastlands of the east.


• About the Study: Gould hopes to learn much about the health of the bears as well as their habits. In the past, scientists have gleaned much of their information about bears from hunters who volunteered access to their kills or from bears killed on roads. Now, through GPS tracking, scientists can get data from living samples and hopefully preserve this once almost eliminated creature.


• About the Traps: Gould has set several traps throughout Asheville where bears have been seen, such as residential areas and parks. The traps are large barrel-like structures with a spring-loaded mechanism to close the bear in once it has been lured there by the sweet treats left as bait. The barrel has several vent holes and is quite spacious, so there is little, if any, trauma to the bear.


• About the Collars: Once a bear has been trapped, it is tranquilized. Researchers can then obtain blood and hair samples to check the health of the bear. Before releasing the bear back to the wild, they place a GPS collar on the bear to track its movements. The team hopes to study 40 bears over a five-year period to determine what is attracting them to the Asheville area. Gould has programmed the collars with a geofence so that he is alerted any time one of his collared bears comes within city limits.

Gould wants to understand why bears are moving to the city. Is it free food in the form of trash, or is it just the roaming nature of the bears that once had more territory to forage in? The GPS data from this study should help the North Carolina Wildlife Commission manage the bear population as well as educate the public about the habits and behaviors of bears.

GPS technology has come so far in such a short time, and even more advances are anticipated. In fact, one group of scientists is looking into coordinating location data on an x and y axis in order to determine certain behaviors at certain locations so that animals can be observed from a distance without ever invading their habitats. These are simply amazing advances in wildlife management.

Wildlife Management with GPS