Some things have become so ingrained into modern society that we sometimes forget there was a time when they didn’t exist. One of the more modern examples would be the GPS (global positioning system), specifically the GPS used for cars. It’s not easy to imagine a time when GPS didn’t exist, as we tend to use it every day!
At the moment, most people would see the two as interchangeable, but the story of GPS for cars is its own little rabbit hole that deserves a deep dive. So let’s look into the invention of the GPS for cars, as well as the timeline.
Who invented GPS for cars?
Mazda, a car manufacturer, introduced the first automotive navigation system to use GPS satellites. It was called the Mazda Eunos Cosmo navigation system. A vehicle’s position could be tracked by satellites in space for the first time!
The GPS for cars’ key contributors (and evolution)
- Iter AvtoThe 1930 Iter Avto was the first navigational system
The 1930 Iter Avto was the first navigational system for vehicles, but it acted more as a map guidance tool than anything else. Considering the date it was created, it naturally didn’t use GPS.
- Electro Gyro-Cator navigation unitHonda’s Electro Gyro-Cator navigation unit
The Gyro-Cator navigation unit was more advanced than the Iter Avto. It used a system similar to what fighter pilots used in the Cold War. It uses certain pieces of context to help you find your position.
- Etak NavigatorA more advanced system that still didn’t use GPS
The Etak Navigator was interesting as it used dead reckoning to help you triangulate your position.
- Mazda Eunos Cosmo navigation systemThe very first navigational system to use GPS satellites
It was only a matter of time before the very first navigational system using GPS satellites was introduced, and Mazda knocked it out of the park.
When was the GPS for cars invented?
The very first GPS for cars was invented in 1990. It was a milestone in the world of GPS development, as receivers were small enough to be placed in vehicles for commercial use.
A brief history of GPS for cars
Mankind’s history with automated navigation is filled to the brim with research and success. You could say that the road to the first GPS for cars is littered with all sorts of different advancements throughout the years. One of the best examples is the 1930 Iter Avto system, where you would have to use paper maps and load them onto the system to use it effectively. While it can help you get from point A to point B, things get tricky the moment you stray from the route. You’d have to fix things up and load the map manually.
The Gyro-Cator navigation unit was more advanced than the Iter Avto. It used a system similar to what fighter pilots used in the Cold War. It uses certain pieces of context to help you find your position. Honda released the Gyro-Cator navigation unit, which led to more advancements in navigation tech. For example, the Etak Navigator was interesting as it used dead reckoning to help you triangulate your position.
Naturally, it would only be a matter of time before navigation systems advanced to the point where a GPS could be placed in a commercial car. The Mazda Eunos Cosmo navigation system is aptly named, as it did introduce the car-driving experience to the space age. Fast-forward to the modern era, and the GPS is as common as tables and chairs.
The GPS for cars timeline
- 1930The 1930 Iter Avto was the first navigational system
The 1930 Iter Avto was the first navigational system for vehicles, but it acted more as a map guidance tool than anything else. Considering the date it was created, it naturally didn’t use GPS.
- 1981Honda’s Electro Gyro-Cator navigation unit
The Gyro-Cator navigation unit was more advanced than the Iter Avto. It used a system similar to what fighter pilots used in the Cold War. It uses certain pieces of context to help you find your position.
- 1985A more advanced system that still didn’t use GPS
The Etak Navigator was interesting as it used dead reckoning to help you triangulate your position.
- 1990The very first navigational system to use GPS satellites
It was only a matter of time before the first navigational system using GPS satellites was introduced, and Mazda knocked it out of the park.
Where was the GPS for cars invented?
The first GPS for cars was invented in Japan. The country took tech advancements involving vehicles seriously, which was why so many tech firsts came from Japan.
The importance of the GPS for cars
- Feeling lost? Use GPS
There’s no denying that the global positioning system is an amazing feat of technology, especially when it comes to driving cars. Most people would literally be lost without such a navigational system helping them out.
- A core car-driving experience
Anyone driving a vehicle knows the experience of using GPS to help get from one place to another. Even if it might not always be accurate, the fact that it always triangulates your position through satellite is part of the core car-driving experience. Most people wouldn’t purchase a car these days if it didn’t come with a GPS feature.
- A milestone for technology
When it comes to the advancements in technology, reaching the so-called space age of transportation and navigation is a huge milestone. Many car manufacturers have tried to develop an effective navigational system over the years, and it was only with the help of GPS that it became possible.
- Things will only get better
The importance of GPS is that it will only get better as time goes on. It’s still considered burgeoning tech, which means it’s constantly experiencing upgrades.
GPS for cars by the numbers
- 88The Oldsmobile’s 88 series was given ONIS built-in navigation system in 1995. Car manufacturers were constantly looking to deliver the best GPS experience, leading to many advancements over the years.
- 1997The year when Alpine, a Japanese company, introduced a stored map system with the help of CD-ROM drives. Leave it to the Japanese to continue to improve navigational technology, even before the introduction of GPS.
- 550The price in dollars of the portable StreetPilot GPS. It was an affordable system that pretty much anyone could own.
- 30The number of operational GPS satellites in orbit as of 2022.
Five facts about the GPS for cars
- The inertial navigation system
Back in the day, the 1981 Honda with Electro Gyro-Cator navigation unit was released to help drivers find out their position while out and about. It didn’t use GPS, but it used an inertial navigation system that used a simple system to tell where you were. So if you knew where you started, you’d know how far you traveled, and if you knew the direction, you’d figure out where you were.
- The rise of CD-ROM maps
There was a time when certain car drivers would rely on a CD-ROM-based navigational system. They would use the system to great effect, but they needed to purchase updates through new CD-ROMs to stay up-to-date constantly.
- The accuracy of GPS devices for cars
It’s sometimes hard to tell how accurate a GPS for vehicles can be, but the rule of thumb is it’s about three meters. There might be a slight deviation here and there, but the GPS can be remarkably accurate.
- Limitations of tech
The US was known for limiting the technology of GPS. Proper GPS for vehicles became popular around the early 2000s, but it would’ve been much earlier if the US government hadn’t limited its availability.
- The impact of the StreetPilot GPS
The StreetPilot GPS was primarily used as navigation for vehicles, but it was something you could pack and place in other cars. Such a thing was mind-blowing at the time, though the presence of smartphones with GPS apps means you won’t have to worry too much.
FAQ about GPS for cars
- Are GPS for cars accurate?
Considering they were specifically built for a singular purpose, it’s safe to say that GPS for cars are quite accurate. Of course, a few deviations can be expected, but it’s never anything that causes too much trouble.
- Should I depend on GPS for cars?
Typically, it might not be a good idea to depend entirely on GPS for cars. As useful as they can be, there are situations where the GPS might not have a good signal. In such cases, it’s good to rely on knowledge and experience to get you where you want to be.
- Do people still use physical maps?
Without the help of a GPS in the car or through a mobile app, you’d have no choice but to use physical maps. Otherwise, it’s quite unwieldy and inefficient.
