European sat-nav system

[beemerlt]

The launch of the first Galileo satellite is in the news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4555298.stm) this morning (mission control in Guildford! :)). Wonder if Garmin will ever produce a Euro version using this network of satellites. I doubt it somehow. Something to consider if buying a GPS in the next few years. It'll be interesting to see if BMW adopt this system for future versions of the Navigator.

[meese]

My GPS worked fine all over Europe 5 years ago. Not sure what this new system will give you, except maybe a Euro-based, US-free system.

"In few years' time, a small Galileo chip will be integrated in mobile phones, giving users the ability to pinpoint restaurants, hotels, movie theatres, hospitals or car parks.

Galileo will deliver the tools national governments need to introduce wide-scale road charging."

Ah, now I see. The ability to track anyone with a mobile phone to within a meter, and to charge drivers by the mile and road type. Of course, the government promises to only use the technology for good . . .

[xtoseconomides]

... and the wife to pin point exactly where you have been...
they were talking of less than 1.00 meter error at the most in the press of this morning with them 24 satellites to go up ... and that is sure less than the width of a pub's facade:;lol

[BillyOmaha]

As I understand, from the article, the GIOVE system will be compatible with the GPS system. Similar to cell phones that can switch between services.


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[BillyOmaha]

I've submitted a request for information to Garmin and will report back with their response.

"Will the current Garmin line of GPS units be able to use the GIOVE system being deployed by the EU?"


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[simoncharles]

According to what I have read about this, Billy is correct.
Both systems, plus apparently the Russian system, are going to work in conjunction with other, which will make GPS navigation extremely accurate by the end of this decade. Free as well !!.
http://www.galileoju.com/page.cfm?voce=m&idvoce=301&plugIn=1

[meese]

They've had the ability to track with better than 1 meter accuracy for many years. But for various military reasons, they've slightly scrambled the time signals to reduce the accuracy available to consumer units. Around 2000, they turned off Selective Availability which increased the accuracy quite a bit, but the military can still do much better. Remember, these are the same guys who can read your license plate from space.

It's possible that this new EU system will be entirely consumer based, such that they can offer whatever accuracy they feel is needed (or cost effective). But if it's still being funded by the EU government, then perhaps there will still be security reasons to limit accuracy.

[simoncharles]

Ken,
Agree there. If they can put a Tommahawk through a window, it must be more accurate that that !.
What I think we will see is more accuracy for everyone, possibly more so in Europe.
Simon

[meese]

I can see it now: "Please move one lane to the right and prepare to exit."

Or to the left for you UK folks. :)

[simoncharles]

Has anybody checked the co-ordinates of a known place on Google Earth to the ones shown on their GPS ?.
If so, how do they compare ?.

[BillyOmaha]

Howdy All,

With the news reports of the European Union's global positioning system being launched, there was, is, concern about our investment in these tools. I sent a request for information to Garmin.


Question sent to Garmin:
Will the current Garmin line of GPS units be able to use the GIOVE system being deployed by the EU?


Garmin Answer (bold added by me):

Thank you for contacting Garmin International,

I'll be more than happy to assist you with this. At this time they will not.
This is not a functioning system yet. They do not expect this to be up and running until 2010. BUT it does not mean that we will not be compatible when it's ready.

At this point I would recommend checking our website for any updated information regarding this.

With Best Regards,

Lynn L.
Garmin International
Product Support Specialist


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[beemerlt]

Thanks for the feedback Bill.

[c00k1e]

Having worked (slightly) on this project, I can tell you the following (as recieved in the form of gossip, so can't be relied upon);
Unlike the US based GPS system, the EU system will be 2 way for GPS. (there is no way for the US system to use information for road charging for instance)
The EU system is being financed with a view of recouping investment with 'enforcable revenue models' (I will leave you to work out what that means exactly)
Records of the movements of gps units (whatever form they may take) may be kept under laws passed recently - easier to pass them now than later when we have these things installed!
Talk of 'industry adopters' (not Germain) included companies that are fixing to give out 'free or at cost' units to enable drivers to know information 'in advance' - i.e. "at the next junction petrol will cost 95.4 pence". "Accedent in 2 miles, calculating alternative route, please exit at the next junction". If the industry can sell sdvertising on the units you may well get them at silly prices. Once a proportion of people have adopted the units - road pricing will be introduced.
The sillyest thing I heard was a demo of one of these units saying "at the next junction McDonalds will give you free coffee" - as an exampe of potential advertising and as a way of clearing the road as it is busy!
Security wise - there is far less use for it and far more holes than will probably ever be talked about in the open.