Know about the Interesting In-car GPS History

Imagine being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cellular reception and no way of finding out where the car is stuck- sounds like a nightmare, right? That is where GPS helps its users out. GPS systems provide a real-time location to users so that they can navigate their way to the destination. The system has undergone several changes through the decades, and we shall find out more about them!

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The 1930s

The earliest presence of an “in-car map” traces all the way back to 1930. This system did not use satellites; instead, paper maps were rolled that were connected to the speedometer providing drivers with the location of the car.

1981 and Honda's innovation

The Electro Gyro-cater navigation system was developed by Honda, Stanley Electric and Alpine in the 1980s. The system was pretty similar to the ones that pilots used for navigation. Introduced in Japan, the system was pretty basic in its functioning. If the driver knew where they started, they would find out the distance they travelled. If they knew the direction they were moving in, then the location would not be difficult for the driver to pinpoint.

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A step away from paper maps

The Etak Navigator introduced in 1985 was an important step towards non-paper maps. There were tapes of cassettes that stored the mapping data of a particular city. Together, these cassettes gave an overview of the location.

The CD-ROM Navigation system

The 1987 CD-ROM Navigation system from Toyota was the first-ever colourised map which worked pretty similar to the cassettes!

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A breakthrough in 1990

The first-ever navigational system specifically designed for automotive use was introduced in 1990 by Mazda. This system was the first to use satellites to pinpoint the location of the vehicle!

A few more GPS systems were introduced around the world in the 1990s, but all of them mostly relied on dead reckoning mapping data (like the ones used in cassette-based systems).

The age of digital navigation

The in-car GPS navigation systems have gone through several changes. Now, over-the-air updates that use Wi-fi or 4G connection are a staple in cars. The GPS has been incorporated with the infotainment systems. Maps are even able to detect real-time conditions like traffic jams, shortest routes etc.

Companies have now started to incorporate these maps along with other technologies as well. For example, satellite-aided transmission is growing in popularity right now. The GPS navigation system is used to detect any sharp turns or bends that might be ahead, and the appropriate gear is pre-selected so that the driving experience is smooth for the customers. These systems also allow individuals to adjust their speed and prepare for any turns ahead!