Chapter 7 Networks, Telecommunications, and mobile technology{0}
A new technology that is embarrassing the use of Global Positioning Systems is the GTX Corp who has invented a tracking device used in shoes. This technology is aimed at Alzheimer’s patients, as a way of finding them if they get lost. For a fee of $20 a month a subscriber to the tracking service can ask to be alerted when the tracker leaves a certain area. This technology is still in the beginning stages and still being tested. Aetrex is the shoe company that is partnering with the GPS Company. The companies expecting to launch their product by the end of the year (2010).
This technology is being debated weather or not it is beneficial or detrimental to users. Many people say that having a tracking devise in a shoe would take away the rights of individuals or patients. The article GPS Shoes to track Alzheimer’s patients on CNN.com is on the side of beneficial if the user is aware of the technology and approves of its use. The cost of these shoes will run about $200 to $300. This price is worth the security that it gives to the loved ones of Alzheimer’s patients, who are said to get lost at least once with this disease. This technology has been used before in wristbands and anklets, but the designs were bulky and cumbersome. The shoes will be a great way to solve this problem. This chip technology is said to bring in an estimated total of 5 billion dollars. This is just the start to many more inventions with this technology.