GPS

After years and years of waiting, the next-generation GPS III satellites are finally being launched. When the global navigation system finally goes live, it will be a game-changer for civilian and military GPS devices.

You can't always trust your map app: faulty Google Maps directions led some Aurora, Colo. area drivers to a strange and muddy detour on Sunday. The app seemed to be trying to route them around a crash, but instead ended up causing a separate traffic jam. 

SUVs and pickups carry more advanced off-road driver assistance technology than ever before. We looked at six unique tech features on current-year trucks and SUVs that make any modern AWD or 4WD vehicle a mighty off-road vehicle.

Weather events aren't only a problem on Earth - they can cause serious issues in space too. Space storms of high-energy particles bombard satellites or spacecraft, causing serious damage. Now a study has found a way to predict the arrival of these storms, giving scientists and astronauts time to prepare.

Remember the Y2K bug? When we worried that our computers would stop working at the turn of the millennium due to two digit dates turning from 99 to 00. That turned out to be just fine, and didn't cause a major problem at all. But experts are warning that a similar bug could affect GPS devices today.

Just in time for the spring season, Garmin is refreshing its Instinct GPS smartwatch with a fresh coat of paint that brings three new colors to this outdoors-focused watch. These fun, fresh colors won't make your next climb any easier, but they will help you stand out from the crowd.

What do you get if you cross Boston Dynamics and Ant-Man? You get Antbot, a robot from the French National Center for Scientific Research which uses ant-like navigation to move around without the aid of GPS. Antbot uses an optical compass that detects polarized light to determine its heading.

The movement of the Earth's magnetic field is described by the World Magnetic Model, used by navigation systems of all kinds. The most recent version of the model should have been good until 2020, however, the magnetic field has moved so quickly that an update is required sooner than that.

GPS company TomTom is moving into the realm of autonomous vehicles in a partnership with Japanese automotive components manufacturer Denso. The collaboration will produce an autonomous driving system which is capable of both perceiving objects in the environment and planning a path from one location to another.

Amazon's Alexa continues to evolve at a remarkable rate and the company has unveiled a host of new features for the end of 2018 including new features that use geolocation to help users find and contact local businesses as well as new features embedded into Routines to help parents get their kids to sleep.

Researchers at Imperial College London have created a quantum "compass" that allows navigation without reliance on satellites. The instrument, technically called a standalone quantum accelerometer, is small enough to be transportable and has a very high level of accuracy.

Researchers at MIT have developed an autonomous drone that can explore densely forested areas and produce collaborative maps without the need for GPS. The drones could be used to find lost hikers who cannot be seen by helicopters or traditional drones because they fly above the forest canopy.

The new Spot X satellite messenger is the first new device from Spot in several years and a significant upgrade over previous models. It provides the ability for users to send two-way text messages for the first time on a Spot device, along with SOS features, GPS tracking, and more.

GoGolf is a GPS sensor that pairs with a smartphone to provide accurate shot information, including distance to the pin from your current ball location. The device's can be worn on a cap and has a custom app that offers a database of more than 30,000 golf courses from around the world.

Garmin has introduced the newest member of its Zumo line. Called 396 LMT-S, the $399 device functions like a basic GPS with a few more tricks up its sleeve. It features Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth compatibility, and keeps riders safe via an innovative Automatic Incident Notification feature.

Garmin has introduced the new Tactix Charlie, heralded as a "new-and-improved ruggedized GPS wearable" for your next adventure.

Researchers at the University of Utah have created smart navigation boots that can track a wearer's location indoors, no GPS technology required.

Researchers have created the world's biggest drone swarm that doesn't rely on either GPS or external motion capture in order to fly.

TomTom has announced that it's laying off 136 employees in order to shift focus away from wearables and towards mapping and navigation.

Broadcom has announced plans to manufacture a new GPS chip that will offer distinct improvements to the positioning ability of smartphones.

The Tractive 3G GPS pet tracker allows users to keep tabs on the whereabouts of their dog or cat at all times.

Greater visibility and a helping hand in case of accidents makes the Cosmo Connected an appealing accessory for any two-wheeled road warrior.