Ever seen a viable car-based GPS system installed in one of our ubiquitous jeeps? Of course not, right? For one, the directions and ever-changing one-way streets are already installed onto their own experience and memorization-based navigation systems, and no technological solution will be able to keep up with constantly-changing landscape of our road network. But one has to start somewhere, yeah?

Well it seems that before there was GPS (which means global positioning system), and before there were satellites launched for the express purpose of mapping, there was the Electro Gyrocator, which is as succinct a name as any, as it describes exactly what it is.

I admit though, although I “know” what it is, I didn’t know how it did its job – that is, to tell one’s position. Perhaps the more scientifically inclined among us can explain. What I do know though is that this was an actual commercially available product (in Japan) offered by Honda as an option on its Accord sedan in 1981. It looks very high-tech, and for anyone living in the 80’s, it would have been the ultimate in techno-geekery, or kitsch, depending on your viewpoint.

                                             Note the slots at the side and the scroll action on top.

In the here and now, (here being the Philippines, and now being 2007), this 1981 technological tour de force will fit right in on the vehicles we have here – mainly because the maps are pieces of transparent roll-ups with the streets and what-nots printed directly on them – perhaps these can be home-made! Or probably not…

The way it works, these transparencies are scrolled along by the “Electro Gyrocator” as the vehicle moved, and as a piece of map is scrolled to its end, you replace it with the next corresponding piece. The only thing you’d need is someone who can draw that intricately. Not to scoff at this technology though – inertial navigation is a very real technology usually found in military systems and vehicles. Regardless, it looks cool and probably costs next to nothing – If you can find one still.

                                              A modern car-based GPS system - uses satellite positioning.       

Regrettably, until we get a “main highway” wider than three lanes, implementation of any up-to date GPS system may prove difficult and cost-inefficient – not that our jeepney drivers need them.