First there were smart cars, then smartphones, now there are smart bikes.

Bicycles are behind the times, in terms of using modern technology to increase the rider’s experience that is. The rider still uses turn signals manually, and most bikes don’t have a handy place to put a smartphone’s GPS tracker. But all that is about to change with the introduction of smart bikes.

An up-and-coming smart bikes is made using handlebars, called Helios Bars, which started as a Kickstarter project. These handlebars include GPS technology, turn signals and a speedometer built right in. What’s more, they can be installed on any current bike, without needing to purchase a brand new one.

Founder of the Helios Bars, Kenny Gibbs, wanted to reinvest the biking experience. He said, “Bikers’ main concerns are security and safety. 600 people died on bike rides and 40,000 were injured last year. Not to mention that 1.5 million bikes were stolen. Helios solves those problems.” Read the rest of this entry »

Australian government to monitor arsonists with GPS technology.

Throughout Australia, arson-related crimes are on the rise which has led to the current crackdown. In Victoria, especially, first-time arsonists and serial arsonists are getting away with destroying property and the Victorian state government hopes to put an end to it with GPS trackers.

Current legislation allows the mandatory monitoring of arsonists who have been caught and convicted of lighting fires in the area. In the past, the only monitoring allowed in Australia was for serious sex offenders, but due to the rise in deliberate fires of Victoria and other areas, the courts are allowing this provision.

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With Memorial Day just around the corner, here’s a post about how GPS tracking technology is helping memorialize and pay respects to the military at one of our nation’s most hallowed grounds — Arlington National Cemetery.

GPS is an incredibly useful tool. And GPS tracking apps are breaking new ground with the release of a new web application called ANC Explorer by Arlington National Cemetery.

The app provides family members, loved one, veterans and the public the ability to locate graves, in addition to the capability to see photographs, both front and back, of headstones and monuments. It then allows users to get directions to the monument or headstone locations. The app also provides visitors with information on special events at the cemetery and the ability to leave feedback concerning their experience.

There are already plans to include additional features such as restroom and water fountain locations as well as event and emergency notifications.

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GPS technology paves the way to tracking and monitoring food deliveries in San Francisco, California.

Jason Wang has developed a brand new monitoring system that combines GPS tracking technology with everyday food deliveries. Wang, who is a serial entrepreneur and known foodie, has created a way for customers to keep track of their food deliveries in real-time. The system is aptly named Caviar.

This new GPS food tracking and delivery system is Jason Wang’s third start-up venture. It is co-founded with three others. The four entrepreneurs also started Munch on Me, which started in May 2012 and was recently sold. It was also a good-related venture, offering daily deals for specific items at local restaurants.

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GPS tracking leads the way to a bike sharing program at the University at Buffalo.

The University at Buffalo (UB) has been working on a system that will allow students to share bicycles, instead of worrying about bringing their own. The new program is called Buffalo BikeShare, and utilizes GPS technology for tracking down the bicycles.

The program has been in developments for several months, and just beginning a beta stage. UB’s Transportation Services and Office of Parking have been working closely with the Office of Sustainability in order to perfect the program.

This innovative program uses bicycles which have GPS trackers installed on them. This lets users of the BikeShare program track down a bicycle that they can rent as transportation throughout the Buffalo campus and surrounding areas. The beta test phase currently underway involves students at UB entering information into a computer in order to activate the GPS technology, and find the nearest bicycle that was available to rent. Another way to rent the bicycles, is through a keypad that is on the bicycles.

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