Global Positioning System Reference
In-Depth Information
concrete and focus on the key technologies of Whereness today and into the
medium term. Chapter 6 concerns radio positioning, Chapter 7 nonradio sensing
systems, and Chapter 8 is about maps, mapping, and the very important current
developments in Web 2.0.
5.8
Summary
This chapter explored the future application for Whereness but started with a
discussion of the future of society as informed by futurology. The increase in
wealth and movement up Maslow's hierarchy of needs will lead to more emphasis
on applications concerning emotions, self-actualization, art, and entertainment.
There is a danger, however, that the basics of sound infrastructures and the needs
for good security may be neglected. Whereness applications are important for both
extremes of need, and adoption of Whereness for social uses may help the case for
security applications.
Several future application scenarios were explored. Health and well-being
included the need to automatically count calories and care automatically for
people and animals, especially people with special needs who are vulnerable.
Floods and disasters will probably become more common, so sensing applications
are important to both monitor and manage the environment and counter terrorism.
Sports and games will evolve new formats where positioning systems can aid the
linkage of remote environments. New maps will be built and managed
automatically by people sharing positional information. Locative media and
augmented reality, which are still emerging technologies, will become common
and add exciting new experiences ranging from gaming and entertainment to new
forms of conceptual art.
References
[1]
Pearson, I., Neild, I.,
BT Technology Timeline
, http://www.btplc.com/thegroup/Publicaffairs/
EuropeanAffairs/Thetechnologytimeline/timeline.htm.
[2]
Maslow A. H., “A Theory of Human Motivation,”
Psychological Review
, Vol. 50, 1943, pp.
370-396.
[3]
Mannings, R., Parker, C., “The Invisible GIS: Technology Convergence to Make the Future
GI User Friendly,”
AGI 2006
, London, Sep. 2006.
[4]
Mannings, R., Perason, I., “Virtual Air,”
The Journal of the Communications Network
, Vol.
2, Part 1, Jan.-Mar. 2003, pp. 29-33.
[5]
Pinnick, T.,
Enabled-Enhancing Network Access for the Blind and Visually Impaired
,
http://www.hft.ogr/HFT06/paper06/11_Pennick.pdf, Jan. 2008.
