Ohio Wants GPS Implants in Ex-Cons
GPS Monitoring Chips are Just Science Fiction
From time to time, when people talk about the need to closely track certain demographics such as children, Alzheimer’s patients and paroled criminals, implanted GPS tracking chips are suggested.
A fairly big story in recent memory originated from Butler County, Ohio. The County Commissioner proposed that every convict on parole, regardless of his or her offense, have a GPS tracking chip implanted under their skin, so that authorities will know where they are, moment to moment. The county sheriff backed the idea and took it a step further by suggesting that GPS tracking devices be equipped with some sort of electrical assembly so the ex-cons could be remotely shocked into submission if they were found in violation of their terms of probation.
GPS tracking chips with the ability to electrically shock a person is a cruel idea at best. Some say this method of forced obedience would not even be tolerated when applied to animals, let alone people. Some seriously seeking justice believe that criminals should suffer the consequences of their actions, so that innocent people are protected from them.
But the simple fact is that this act of forward-thinking is currently nothing more than science fiction. The technology does not exist to create under-the-skin GPS tracking chips. The commissioner said GPS tracking chips are currently being put in pets and in some cases children, in the event they are lost or kidnapped. The commissioner’s knowledge is incorrect.
Tiny microprocessor chips commonly implanted in pets are RFID or radio-frequency controlled. They are not based on the same technology as GPS tracking. These small chips have a small amount of information recorded on them, that can be retrieved by a special hand-held scanner. They have no value for live monitoring, as does GPS tracking.
How Does GPS Tracking Work?
The Global Positioning System, commonly referred to as GPS tracking, is a U.S. space-based global navigation satellite system. It is largely used for positioning, navigation, and timing services. The GPS tracking system is a U.S. owned and operated technology, but the satellites are used worldwide. GPS tracking is efficient in all sorts of weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the planet Earth.
GPS tracking today is established in transportation systems worldwide. It is employed for navigation in aviation, ground and maritime actions. It is also part of many routine activities including mobile phone operations, banking, and control of power grids. GPS tracking also makes work easier for farmers, surveyors and geologists. Various life-saving missions including disaster relief and emergency services are also being tackled largely with the help of GPS tracking.
In GPS tracking, a receiver captures satellite signals and calculates location. Position updates are taken at regular intervals, usually every few minutes. In live or real-time tracking, the raw data is streamed to the Internet, where it can be reviewed remotely. Cellular data communications is the most common way to transmit GPS tracking information from the receiver to a server. Often special software is required to translate the raw GPS tracking data into a readable format.
Why GPS Tracking Chips Won’t Work
GPS tracking technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past decade but it may never be sophisticated enough to be applied to imbedded identification and monitoring chips. First, the receivers and microprocessor computer chips can be very small, but not small enough to be placed under the skin comfortably. An antenna is also needed to adequately capture GPS tracking data and a wireless network chip for transmission of GPS tracking information. Finally, a consistent power source is needed. How will the GPS tracking system get power? Batteries need to be replaced or recharged. Solar power is impractical. Do we “plug” these ex-cons into a wall adaptor to power up?
What Would Work
The most practical solutions for the live tracking of individuals are GPS tracking systems held in hand, carried in a purse or backpack, or worn on a belt, in a wristwatch or pendant. A good example of a real-time GPS tracking device, with 10-second position updates and complete portability is the LandAirSea Victoria GPS Tracking System. If this device is moving slower than 10 miles an hour, it logs position every 20 feet. This feature makes the Victoria a good candidate when the GPS tracking of a person is the goal.
Another solution is real-time GPS tracking bracelets or anklets. These systems are commonly used to monitor criminal activities, in communities across the globe. An advantage of GPS tracking anklets is that they cannot be easily removed or lost.
What Will the Future Bring?
With the explosive growth of GPS tracking and navigation in various fields for numerous reasons, it is certain there will be many innovations in this technology in the future. There is a growing demand for personal tracking systems. We can only guess what man’s inventiveness will bring to market in the years to come. But as of today, GPS tracking implants are best left to the imagination.
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