Honda’s GPS technology gives driving safely new meaning
By Hilary Powell
A new gadget in cars manufactured by Honda Motor Co. is set to steer drivers in a safer direction.
Honda’s new GPS warns drivers when they’re in high-crime areas, where cars are frequently broken into or vandalized.
The new technology was launched last week in Japan. The feature has yet to make its way to the United States, but concern over the technology has already made its way here from overseas.
Some bloggers have begun to chatter about the social implications of such a device. Would such a tool give certain neighborhoods bad reputations? Would Honda be held liable if the GPS falters and a car is stolen?
As part of the protection plan, the GPS links to local police stations and provides crime ratings by location. If an area is particularly dangerous, the system issues an alert.
According to Yahoo! blogger Gina Hughes (The Techie Diva), there are no firm plans to bring the technology stateside.
Regardless, the the Honda innovation is an example of how GPS technology, in addition to providing navigational information, can be used to share information specifically relevant to a user’s location.
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