A GPS tracking unit, commonly referred to as a GPS tracker, black box, or simply tracker, is a device used to track the location of the asset it is connected to. It uses a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to determine its geographic position. This location data, along with other vehicle or asset telemetry, is then transmitted to an Internet-connected device or a central server using an embedded cellular (such as GPRS, LTE, or 5G), radio, or satellite modem. This enables the real-time monitoring and management of vehicles, assets, personnel, and animals from a remote location. The global market for these devices is substantial, valued at over $2.5 billion in 2022 and projected to grow at a CAGR of over 13% to reach $4.76 billion by 2027. [1]
While widely used by consumers, GPS tracking units are a foundational hardware component in the commercial sector's adoption of fleet digitalization . In this context, the data collected by these devices is typically sent to specialized fleet management software platforms. While many modern vehicles are equipped with a factory-installed telematic control unit (TCU) from the manufacturer, aftermarket GPS tracking units are essential for managing mixed fleets (with vehicles from different brands) and for equipping vehicles that lack native telematics systems. The market for these devices is substantial and served by a diverse ecosystem of specialized hardware manufacturers. [2] [3]
A modern GPS tracking unit integrates several key electronic components to determine and transmit its location and other data. The core architecture consists of:
GPS tracking units can be categorized by their primary application and form factor. While most modern devices transmit their location in real-time (a function known as data "pushing"), some specialized units may only log their position history for later download (data "logging"). The main distinction is between devices designed for personal/asset use and those designed for vehicle integration.
Personal and asset trackers are typically small, portable, battery-powered devices designed to track people, animals, or high-value mobile assets. Their compact size allows them to be carried, attached to equipment, or fitted to a pet's collar.
Common applications include:
Vehicle trackers are devices designed for installation in vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and heavy machinery. The commercial vehicle segment is the largest end-user of GPS tracking devices, driven by the need for real-time fleet monitoring and management. [5] These devices are a core component of modern fleet management systems and are often referred to as Automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems. The global market for this hardware is served by numerous specialized manufacturers, with companies like CalAmp, ORBCOMM, Queclink, and Teltonika among the leading suppliers. [1] [6] [7]
Vehicle trackers can be further categorized by their installation method:
Hardwired trackers are wired directly into a vehicle's electrical system, providing a constant and reliable power source. This installation allows for deep integration, enabling the tracker to monitor ignition status, control a starter interrupt for vehicle immobilization, and connect to a wide range of third-party sensors to monitor variables such as fuel level, cargo temperature, and tire pressure. Furthermore, they can often connect directly to the vehicle's CAN bus to read detailed operational data. This type is most commonly used in professional fleet digitalization for commercial vehicles.
OBD plug-in trackers are designed for simple installation by connecting directly into a vehicle's OBD-II port. This connection method requires no special tools. In addition to providing location data, OBD trackers can read a wide range of diagnostic information from the onboard computer, including engine RPM, fuel level, and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), which are useful for maintenance purposes.
Battery-powered trackers are self-contained, wireless devices that operate on their own long-life batteries. This design provides flexibility in placement, as they can be attached to any vehicle or asset without requiring wiring. They are often used for tracking non-powered assets like trailers and containers, or for covert security applications.
The use of GPS tracking units is widespread across commercial, governmental, and personal applications. While the technology is the same, the implementation and goals vary significantly by use case.
The largest application for GPS tracking units is in the commercial sector, where devices are installed in vehicles and equipment to provide real-time data to a central software platform.
In commercial fleet management, GPS tracking is a cornerstone of fleet digitalization. [5] It enables a wide range of functions:
GPS tracking is a core technology in modern precision agriculture, used to improve the efficiency and productivity of farm operations. [9] Trackers are installed on tractors and other farm machinery to:
This application involves placing battery-powered trackers on mobile assets that are non-powered or intermittently powered.
A primary use for both consumers and businesses is vehicle security, a vertical often referred to as Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR). In this application, a covertly installed tracker provides the vehicle's location to the owner or law enforcement in the event of a theft. The demand for SVR solutions is particularly strong in regions and emerging markets where vehicle crime rates are a significant problem. [10] Some systems, like LoJack, are specifically designed for vehicle recovery.
Compact, battery-powered trackers are widely used for personal safety.
The use of GPS tracking is regulated by laws that vary significantly by jurisdiction. The legal framework generally balances the right to monitor one's own property with an individual's right to privacy. Key legal considerations often depend on who is performing the tracking (government vs. private citizen) and whether the person being tracked has given consent.
In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the primary law governing GPS tracking. Under GDPR, location data is considered personal data, meaning its collection and processing require a valid legal basis. [12]
For commercial fleets, this has several implications:
In the United States, the law distinguishes between government use and private use of GPS trackers.
The use of GPS trackers by law enforcement is limited by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. In the landmark 2018 case Carpenter v. United States , the Supreme Court ruled that accessing historical cell-site location information (CSLI) constitutes a Fourth Amendment search, and thus generally requires a warrant. [14] This ruling built upon the 2012 case United States v. Jones , which held that attaching a GPS tracker to a suspect's vehicle also constitutes a search requiring a warrant.
The use of GPS trackers by private citizens is regulated at the state level, and many states have specific laws against electronic surveillance without consent. For example, California Penal Code Section 637.7 makes it a misdemeanor to use an electronic tracking device to determine the location or movement of a person, with an exception for when the owner of the vehicle has consented. [15] Other laws related to stalking, harassment, and invasion of privacy may also apply.
Laws in other countries often follow similar principles. In Australia, for example, the use of tracking devices is regulated by state-level workplace surveillance acts, such as the Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 in New South Wales, which generally require that employees be notified that tracking is in place. [16]
In August 2010, Brazilian company Unilever ran an unusual promotion where GPS trackers were placed in boxes of Omo laundry detergent. Teams would then track consumers who purchased the boxes of detergent to their homes where they would be awarded a prize for their purchase. The company also launched a website (in Portuguese) to show the approximate location of the winners' homes. [17]
The SVR market is still very important in a number of regions, not the least in emerging markets such as Brazil, where car theft is a major problem.
