Open GPS tracker

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By Phillip Torrone
Posted 2008/04/23 @ 8:10 am
Category Electronics

Mike writes in about his super-cool Open GPS Tracker.

Here is the simplest build-it-yourself GPS tracker yet. No expensive GSM module required – I am using the $20 GoPhone from WalMart or Target. Uses a 14-pin AVR microcontroller, a voltage regulator, a transistor, a GPS module 2 inches across, and that’s it. My open source firmware can track objects automatically or manually. Has a programmable command interpreter that can sense or control pretty much anything by text messaging.

BY Phillip Torrone

Editor at large - Make magazine. Creative director - Adafruit Industries, contributing editor - Popular Science. Previously: Founded - Hack-a-Day, how-to editor - Engadget, Director of product development - Fallon Worldwide, Technology Director - Braincraft.

In the Maker Shed

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4 Responses to Open GPS tracker

cde on April 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am said:

That should read “Only needs a cheap ($60) gps module” instead of “No expensive GSM module required”.

The description makes it seem like the goPhone is the gps data SOURCE…

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jkiniston on April 23rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm said:

Reminds me of the guys over at Mologogo

http://mologogo.com/

They are using commodity phones with a java application to do something quite similar. No extra hardware needed unless you want one of their kits that adds extra battery life.

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Mike on April 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm said:

There are software only trackers, especially for Nextel. Nextel has been the most GPS friendly mobile carrier. This hardware tracker has the advantages of long battery life, highly sensitive GPS receiver, ability to be controlled over the air, ability to track a vehicle for a long time and report only when it moves, and it can be made to control external devices. I.e. you could kill the engine of your stolen car by text message.

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sara on June 16th, 2008 at 12:11 am said:

hi, I need your help to make a GPS like your project, I’m hardware student and I have to make a GPS for my master project.
and shamly I have to say I know a little about making microprocessors like GPS.
Can you please help me? It’s too important to make it as soon as possible..
just help me to start this project, I don’t know where to start too.
waiting for your answer.

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