Many people are reluctant to accept the idea of being “tracked.” The word itself sends Orwellian shivers down many spines, inspiring half-hearted warnings that “big brother is watching.” The truth is, anyone who has a smartphone that they keep on them regularly (which is more than 80% of Americans) is already being tracked to some extent.

The sort of GPS tracking that is becoming more prevalent in the auto industry is far less invasive, and it may prove a valuable accountability tool in the personal and professional lives of many consumers.

What Is GPS Vehicle Tracking?

Essentially, this technology simply involves installing a small, discrete device in a vehicle. The device will then provide information about the vehicle’s whereabouts at regular intervals; some devices can even be tracked in real-time so long as they are connected to the Internet.

GPS Vehicle Tracking units can be moved from car to car with relative ease, making it more palatable to invest in a single, high-quality device. The advancement of GPS technology (as well as the increasing ease of virtual integration) has made GPS vehicle tracking a more attractive option in recent years.

Why Is GPS Vehicle Tracking Becoming More Popular?

It’s important to note that GPS tracking doesn’t simply come standard in vehicles; it’s something that individuals can choose to invest in if they feel it is appropriate for their situation. One of the most common reasons that more people are choosing to seek out advanced GPS vehicle tracking technology is simply that they are concerned parents.

Decades ago, worried mothers and fathers were forced to sit at home wondering where their 16-year-old was spending the evening. Today, parents need only install a GPS tracking device, and they can check in on their teenager any time they feel at all uneasy.

Employers are another popular market for GPS tracking in vehicles. Those who own fleets of trucks understandably want to ensure that unnecessary mileage isn’t being racked up, or that their drivers aren’t wasting time on the clock — GPS tracking devices provide them that assurance.

Best of all, in both of these cases, the mere presence of a GPS tracking device is bound to make the drivers more conscientious about their habits. Plus, because GPS technology has grown far more finite in the last 5 years, there’s little chance for error in the data produced by the tracking device.

How Will GPS Continue to Grow?

It’s likely that the professional and familial implications of GPS tracking technology will only continue to expand within the automotive industry; more employers may be able to use GPS as an accountability tool, and more parents may be able to sleep better at night with assurance as to their child’s whereabouts.

There’s no telling precisely how GPS tracking may alter the automotive industry as it continues to advance, but it’s clear that these devices will play a role in some capacity as the digital age rages on.