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Global Positioning Without GPS

Posted by kdawson on from the where-we-are dept.

GadgetMike sends word of an award to Boeing for work on a Robust Positioning System that could make use of cell signals, television transmissions, and other clues to provide position information when GPS is unavailable. (Wonder if they've heard about Skyhook Wireless, which does a similar job based on Wi-Fi hotspots, for 2500 US cities and towns.) The work is being sponsored by the US military, so it's not surprising that they don't want to rely on upcoming GPS enhancers or replacements from France, China, and Russia. Here is the Boeing press release.

3 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Global positionning without GPS, heh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Before the patent wars begin, there's prior art out here: I think it is called a "map" or something.

  2. Re:The solution is right in your glovebox... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sorry, no room for maps. I hide my Tom-Tom in there.

  3. Stars by tsa · · Score: 2, Funny

    I read somewhere that you can use the stars as well for global positioning at night. That's an interesting and novel idea. Maybe they should do some more research on that.

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    -- Cheers!