GPS technology has transformed everyday life. From navigation and fitness tracking to transportation and logistics, GPS technology provides convenience, accuracy, and security for people and products in a busy world. While it may seem commonplace today, it took talented engineers and developers years to solve the challenges of integrating GPS tracking into devices. But if your business is considering integrating GPS tracking into its products, you’re in luck; you can learn from those who have led the industry of embedded GPS trackers and have realized success across various products. Learn from these industry leaders to avoid common challenges and struggles of developing embedded GPS tracking products yourself.
There are some potential issues to be considered when embedding one technology into another product, which holds true for GPS tracking devices. Considerations for power consumption, tracking accuracy, environmental concerns, security, and regulatory compliance are among the most significant considerations. Armed with learnings from those already successfully integrated devices into other manufactured goods can help you realize the benefits.
Understanding GPS Technology
Before investigating the challenges you might encounter when manufacturing GPS tracking solutions, it helps to understand the technology involved. Here’s a quick overview of GPS and how it’s become essential to customers in various industries.
What is GPS, Exactly?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a satellite-based navigation system that provides precise positioning information. It gives accurate latitude, longitude, and altitude data for any receiver communicating with the satellites. All GPS products — from the navigation app on your phone to embedded tracking solutions — communicate with the same constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth and ground control stations.
GPS tracking devices communicate with satellites and cellular towers to communicate these positions to a mobile app or other platform for users. The satellite provides location data that is then communicated via cellular tower to the software system. This hybrid satellite and cellular technology has helped to bring down the cost of GPS devices and allowed them to be widely adopted across a variety of industries and uses.
The Importance of GPS in Products
Now that GPS is a ubiquitous technology, it’s more important than ever to integrate it into appropriate products. Here’s why:
Incorporating GPS technology into consumer products offers significant advantages, enhancing both usability and security. For high-value items such as recreational vehicles, high-end electronics, or specialized equipment, GPS tracking provides peace of mind by enabling owners to monitor their assets in real-time. This capability is particularly crucial in today’s world, where the risk of theft and loss is ever-present. In the unfortunate event of theft, the ability to quickly locate a stolen item can greatly increase the chances of recovery, safeguarding the investment.
Moreover, GPS tracking can serve as a deterrent against theft, as potential criminals are less likely to target easily traceable items. Beyond security, GPS technology allows for features such as geofencing, which can alert owners if their property moves outside a designated area, adding another layer of protection. Overall, the integration of GPS not only enhances the overall user experience but also provides critical security benefits that are invaluable to consumers invested in high-value products.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
So, what are the technical challenges of integrating GPS technology into products? Here are four top issues manufacturers regularly encounter and solutions for each.
Designing for GPS Devices
Challenge: Customers today expect products that have both form and function. They expect that products that require charging are intuitive to use and charging ports are easily accessible. One of the first challenges in GPS integration is designing how to embed the tracker into other products to meet these needs while seamlessly incorporating the required technology to provide reliable tracking capabilities.
Solution: Overcoming design challenges depends on the nature of the product. For example, it’s much more challenging to integrate GPS into a thin and lightweight mobile device than into an automobile. Generally, the larger the product, the easier it will be to find a solution. Use a compartment, cavity, or other concealed space within the product if possible. Also, because GPS tracking devices require power if there are readily available power sources, such as a backup battery, charging ports do not need to be considered in the design. However, for products without a power source, a charging port must be provided and easily accessible for the consumer to recharge the tracker.
Signal Interference
Challenge: GPS signals are notoriously affected by multiple sources of interference — typical buildings, metal enclosures, or other objects that can obstruct or refract communication with the satellite or cellular towers can weaken signal strength. In addition, electromagnetic interference from other nearby electronics can also negatively impact GPS performance.
Solution: When embedding a GPS solution in a product, determine which locations can receive the strongest GPS satellite signals and a strong cellular connection. This might involve placing the GPS receiver in a shielded compartment where it will be less susceptible to interference. Real-world tests in various scenarios can help you find the best placement location for reducing interference.
Data Security and Privacy
Challenge: GPS tracking devices collect and transmit sensitive data, such as the end user’s location, movements, and activity. This raises serious data security and privacy concerns. Data breaches or misuse of this data can be disastrous for a product manufacturer, exposing them to potential legal and financial liability and likely damaging the company’s reputation.
Solution: Implement industry-standard encryption methods throughout the data collection process. Learn about all applicable data protection regulations and strive to reach a higher level of security. Some of the relevant standards include the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and the European Union’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
GPS tracking devices are rarely the cause of data security and privacy issues. Instead, breaches usually occur in the software platform that collects and stores the data. By using advanced encryption algorithms, you can help protect user data from unauthorized access and reduce your company’s risk. Partnering with a reputable GPS tracker manufacturer with a proven track record and documented security policies will help mitigate risk while also instill consumer confidence that their data will be housed in the USA, will be secure and will not be sold to third parties.
Navigating User Acceptance and Market Perception
In addition to the technical challenges of integrating GPS into products, manufacturers also have to address the social and market factors that influence the perception of GPS-enabled products.
Today’s consumers are more tech-savvy than ever. Many end-users understand the potential privacy and security concerns around GPS tracking. At the same time, GPS is a commonplace technology, so buyers have a lot of choices. Threading the needle between user acceptance and market perception is another critical challenge in successfully launching embedded GPS trackers. Here are two ways to overcome these problems:
Educating Consumers
Overcoming skepticism about GPS tracking may be necessary if your product is to gain a competitive advantage when compared to similar manufactured goods that do not have embedded GPS trackers. Educating potential buyers can go a long way toward helping them understand the value of the tracking device compared to the risk of privacy.
Balancing Features and Cost
Adding GPS tracking to a manufactured product — and addressing all of the integration challenges — can increase development costs. Finding the right cost-benefit ratio can be tricky, but it’s a requirement in today’s competitive marketplace.
Carefully evaluate each feature and ensure that it adds to the product’s perceived value. You can also look for cost-saving measures, like partnering with a company experienced in GPS tracking products. Consulting with industry veterans gives you access to their experience and knowledge, saving your business time and expense.
Research top GPS tracking manufacturers and compare their product offerings and business models. Some will work with their manufacturing clients to reduce the cost to embed trackers into final goods and some may even offer a revenue share of recurring revenue subscriptions.
Best Practices for Implementation
A thoughtful and systematic approach can help overcome GPS implementation challenges. Follow these best practices for successful product development and launches:
Prototyping and testing: Creating prototypes may be helpful in the GPS integration process. Prototypes help manufacturers evaluate GPS performance in multiple real-world scenarios. Consider signal reception, tracking accuracy, power consumption, and the overall user experience. Identify the problems that arise and make a plan to address each before moving out of the prototype stage.
A thorough prototyping and testing phase is essential, as it can reduce the risk of costly product recalls or reworking an already-launched product. Some GPS manufacturers will provide actual products to test your engineering team’s embedding strategy and location placement into the final product.
Cross-functional collaboration: Encourage communication between your engineering, design, and marketing teams for a stronger approach to product development. This ensures your entire team is on the same page throughout the development process — and that you ship innovative and user-friendly products.
Continuous improvement: Establish feedback channels for customers to share their experience with your GPS-enabled product. Addressing customer suggestions shows a commitment to their wants and needs, building brand loyalty (and stronger products) in the long run.
You can also use collected data to monitor customer usage patterns. The insights gained here can be invaluable as you see how consumers interact with your product. Just make sure your data usage aligns with your privacy policies. For example, anonymized data can provide the information you need without intruding on user privacy.
Overcoming GPS Integrating Challenges
As a product manufacturer, you’re placed in a unique position. On one hand, customers want the features and convenience of products with embedded GPS trackers. On the other, these same consumers may be wary of privacy and security concerns. They also demand GPS solutions with innovative features integrated intuitively into finished goods.
This all adds up to implementation considerations. These can be overcome by collaborating with an experienced partner. Tracking Technologies offers consulting services for manufacturers navigating GPS integration challenges.
