GPS systems for the general public as we wrote a few years ago have a location tracking accuracy of around 1.5 meters in the most optimal conditions. In normal situations such as driving a car, accuracy is not so important but if you are a runner or a sedan in the forest accuracy is very important for safety.
Researchers from the University of Otago in collaboration with Google and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new algorithm that provides GPS accuracy of up to 8cm on a smartwatch. This fairly accurate tracking was done every second continuously for 4 hours in the tests carried out. The GPS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS satellite systems were used to achieve this fairly high level of accuracy.
According to the researchers, a more accurate location tracking system allows sports activities to be recorded better but is very useful in emergency situations. For example, if a user experiences an emergency while cycling or gets lost in the forest, their location can be given more accurately to emergency teams who want to find them.
Researchers will now conduct several more tests in enclosed areas and more challenging locations such as in canyons to ensure the algorithm operates as intended.
