GPS in an Automated Age…Areas of FocusFlying WindmillsThe Basic IdeaHarvesting High Altitude WindsControversy over Flying WindmillsThe role the GPS playsAutomated LandingSTOVL SuccessTechnology ImplicationsGhost DriversRobotic CarsWhat Role Does GPS Play?The Maritime RealmAISWhy bother with AIS?…ensuring that tomorrow’s banana shipment survives the trip from Port Au Prince to PrincetonConclusionsReferencesGPS in an Automated GPS in an Automated Age…Age………and its implications for the and its implications for the future of alternative energy, travel, future of alternative energy, travel, and tomorrow’s breakfast.and tomorrow’s breakfast.David FortDavid FortApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007April 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortAreas of FocusAreas of FocusAeronauticalAeronauticalAutomotiveAutomotiveNauticalNauticalApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortFlying WindmillsFlying Windmillshttp://www.museoscienza.org/english/leonardo/vite.aspApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortThe Basic IdeaThe Basic IdeaPosition tethered, light weight roto-copters above the jet Position tethered, light weight roto-copters above the jet stream winds over 15,000 ft. high.stream winds over 15,000 ft. high.Tether provides energy to the copter, and energy Tether provides energy to the copter, and energy generated by the propellers is passed down the tether. generated by the propellers is passed down the tether. http://www.skywindpower.com/ww/index.htmApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortHarvesting High Altitude WindsHarvesting High Altitude WindsThe Benefits:The Benefits:Minimal environmental Minimal environmental footprintfootprintMore consistent winds, More consistent winds, so rotors can operate so rotors can operate close to full capacity close to full capacity Local topography does Local topography does not matternot matterApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortControversy over Flying Controversy over Flying WindmillsWindmillsMany different possible sources for energy in the future: corn-Many different possible sources for energy in the future: corn-based ethanol, nuclear fission, solar power, etc. based ethanol, nuclear fission, solar power, etc. Sky WindPower Corporation would argue that its approach is Sky WindPower Corporation would argue that its approach is superior to all of these. superior to all of these. Is it correct? I don’t know; I’m not an engineer. What is Is it correct? I don’t know; I’m not an engineer. What is certain is that if this technology is going to take off, GPS will certain is that if this technology is going to take off, GPS will play a major role in its implementation.play a major role in its implementation.For those of you skeptical about the general technology at For those of you skeptical about the general technology at play, refer to the peer reviewed IEEE paper, “Harvesting High play, refer to the peer reviewed IEEE paper, “Harvesting High Altitude Wind Power,” accessible online.Altitude Wind Power,” accessible online.April 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortThe role the GPS playsThe role the GPS playsDetermining Attitude (i.e. Determining Attitude (i.e. pitch, roll, and yaw)pitch, roll, and yaw)Pinpoints position and Pinpoints position and angle of helicopters even angle of helicopters even tens of thousands of feet tens of thousands of feet high; allows for maximal high; allows for maximal wind collectionwind collectionReduces risk of collision Reduces risk of collision or wind shadowingor wind shadowinghttp://www.skywindpower.com/ww/index.htmApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortAutomated LandingAutomated Landinghttp://www.qinetiq.com/home/April 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortSTOVL SuccessSTOVL SuccessSTOVL (Short take-off vehicle landing)STOVL (Short take-off vehicle landing)In 2005, QinetiQ, a leader in world defense and In 2005, QinetiQ, a leader in world defense and security companies, engineered the first security companies, engineered the first successful, completely automated landing of an successful, completely automated landing of an aircraft onto a ship.aircraft onto a ship.Used relative-GPS-based system to coordinate Used relative-GPS-based system to coordinate aircraft movement with that of moving ship. aircraft movement with that of moving ship. Required precision in 4D, in order to account for Required precision in 4D, in order to account for both spatial and temporal restraints.both spatial and temporal restraints.April 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortTechnology ImplicationsTechnology ImplicationsAllows for landing in any Allows for landing in any weather and at any time weather and at any time of dayof dayTakes pressure off pilot Takes pressure off pilot after mentally exhausting after mentally exhausting missionmissionReduces risk of human Reduces risk of human error inherent in error inherent in dangerous and highly dangerous and highly sensitive landing sensitive landing proceduresproceduresApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortGhost DriversGhost Drivershttp://www.twitchguru.comApril 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortRobotic CarsRobotic CarsPositive implications:Positive implications:Frees driver’s attentionFrees driver’s attentionProvides a check Provides a check against human against human carelessnesscarelessnessReduces personnel Reduces personnel requirement for requirement for dangerous military dangerous military missionsmissionsPossible Drawbacks:Possible Drawbacks:High costsHigh costsGPS is only accurate GPS is only accurate to at best within to at best within meters. In heavy meters. In heavy traffic, higher precision traffic, higher precision is needed in order to is needed in order to avoid collisions.avoid collisions.April 23, 2007April 23, 2007David FortDavid FortWhat Role Does GPS Play?What Role Does GPS Play?GPS’ role in automated cars is rather limited. GPS must be integrated with GPS’ role in automated cars is rather limited. GPS must be integrated with sensor and laser technology in order to account for obstacles in the road and sensor and laser technology in order to account for obstacles in the road and heavy traffic.heavy traffic.GPS already plays a role in terms of navigation and personal convenience GPS already plays a role in terms of navigation and personal convenience (e.g. ONSTAR), but