Global Positioning System Reference
In-Depth Information
and maintain fitness, there will be automatic services to record and manage the
daily exercise taken by people based on their physical (pedestrian) movements. It
will include the positional information concerning gradients and contexts such as
walking up stairs (or alternatives such as elevators that might be highlighted as
undesirable). Automation will mean the user does not have to do anything other
than carry appropriate technology, which will be, in due course, integrated within
clothing. The recording of movement will be linked to an individual health and
fitness plan that would be incorporated into the personal profile. The active part of
the service could take the form of an artificial coach that encourages the
participant to exercise properly.
Markets for individuals would include health-conscious young professionals,
middle-aged people with a need to lose weight and improve cardiovascular
condition, active seniors, and sports enthusiasts. Business customers would
include organizations with workforces keen to improve their well-being and to
avoid future litigation, education authorities promoting a healthy lifestyle, life
insurance companies as part of a strategy to reduce risk, and national public health
services.
Benefits would be a reduction in the costs of future healthcare, improving
fitness, and personal well-being. Transport costs for individuals would be less by
promoting walking and running. Longer life spans may result and increase of life
quality when aged.
Weaknesses, however, could be that health benefits may be found to be false
or lead to unintended results (e.g., increased joint wear). People may reject the
technology because they feel under pressure to conform to an imposed fitness
regime. An increase of pedestrian accidents may result.
Around 10m accuracy is likely to be adequate but measurements need to be
continuous to detect velocity. Vertical positioning accuracy of 3m is desirable.
Networked pedometers are needed and other sensors also including
accelerometers, altimeters, and gyroscopes so that other measurements can be
taken to detect vertical motion and general position (see Section 7.5). The system
need not work in real time, which could result in no requirement for wide area
mobile data. Indoor wireless hotspot communications are likely to be adequate to
collect statistics and download maps and fitness schedules. Integration with other
lifestyle software and systems is likely, including the automatic counting of food
energy (calorie counting), the control of gym equipment, sporting performance
monitoring, life insurance monitoring, and workplace health systems.
5.2.2
Caring for People (and Animals)
The care of people who have special needs or are vulnerable can be augmented by
the use of positioning technology either as a primary aid to mobility or as a
method to increase their freedom while ensuring their well-being and safety. For
example, a blind person with a guide dog may use a positioning system to help
identify building numbers or public transportation [5]. Children may be given
