GPS Sneakers

The Global Positioning System, or GPS, first came online in April of 1995. It was originally based on designed put forward by the United States military to help track planes and ships in the midst of battle and recon work. However, today you can find GPS technology in a vast array of consumer products including in-car navigation systems and smart phones. Global Trek Xploration, a company committed to harnessing all that GPS has to offer, has recently come out with GPS sneakers.

GPS sneakers are shoes that have a small, water-proof, shock-proof GPS transmitter embedded in their heel. The transmitter sends out a specially coded signal so that the wearer’s position is always able to be tracked by someone is the corresponding receiver technology. Glob Trek Xploration recommends this technology for families with children who walk home from school or who are taking care of an elderly Alzheimer’s patient. They say that you can also track how fast and how far you walked or ran on a specific day.

Currently, GPS devices in smart phones, like the iPhone only act as a transmitter. You can access their maps application and find your location on a street map. In order to use the GPS sneakers, you need to download an application LOCiMe. This converts your iPhone into both a transmitter and receiver of GPS signals. Then you need to enter the coded password that comes with your GPS sneakers. The password protection ensures that unauthorized people cannot track your movements as well. Then, if you want to check on the location of someone wearing GPS sneakers, you simply access the application and small dot will show up on the map detailing their position.

When the GPS shoe comes on the market in 2010 there will be two styles available for senior citizens, a basic day shoe and an athletic shoe. The projected cost of these shoes should be between $200 and $300. Global Trek Xploration has confirmed rumors that they are hoping to design GPS shoes for children and athletes in the future, but these designs have not yet made it to the factory floor.