The satellite-free alternative to GPS
Nature Podcast
podcast@nature.com
4.5 • 893 Ratings
🗓️ 23 November 2022
⏱️ 25 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
00:45 Precision positioning without satellites
Satellite navigation has revolutionized how humans find their way. However, these systems often struggle in urban areas, where buildings can interfere with weak satellite signals. To counter this, a team has developed an alternative, satellite-free system, which could improve applications that require precise positioning in cities, such as self-driving cars.
Research Article: Koelemeij et al.
News and Views: Phone signals can help you find your way in cities even without GPS
09:19 Research Highlights
How deforestation is the biggest threat to a rare lemur’s existence, and ultraviolet-activated molecules can kick-start plastic polymerization.
Research Highlight: This rare primate will not survive deforestation
Research Highlight: Lights, chemical reaction! Plastics take shape with help from UV light
12:16 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, a survey reveals the challenges facing international postgraduate students, and the key takeaways from COP27.
Nature Careers: Obstacle race: the barriers facing graduates who study abroad
Nature News: COP27 climate talks: what succeeded, what failed and what’s next
New York Times: U.N. Climate Talks End With a Deal to Pay Poor Nations for Damage
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | At three business, we know the importance of keeping your business connected. |
| 0:04.8 | Whether you're doing emails on the 7.30 to Paddington or taking a video call on site, |
| 0:10.6 | our multi-simp plans all come with unlimited calls, texts and data. |
| 0:15.2 | Plus, with 99% UK coverage, you can do your best work wherever you are. |
| 0:21.2 | Head in store or search three business. |
| 0:25.3 | Unlimited UK only, 99% outdoor population coverage. Terms apply. |
| 0:36.3 | In an experiment. |
| 0:38.3 | We don't know yet. Why is it like so far? |
| 0:40.3 | Like it sounds so simple. |
| 0:41.3 | They had no idea. |
| 0:42.3 | But now the data's... |
| 0:44.3 | I find this not only refreshing, but at some level astounding. |
| 0:52.3 | Nature. |
| 0:53.3 | Welcome back to the nature podcast. |
| 0:58.7 | This week, a global positioning system that doesn't need satellites. |
| 1:03.5 | And updates from the nature briefing. |
| 1:05.6 | I'm Charmany Bandell. |
| 1:06.8 | And I'm Nick Petra-Chow. |
| 1:17.9 | Thank you. And I'm Nick Petra-Chow. If you're like me, you've probably become quite reliant on the little blue dot on your phone, |
| 1:24.6 | which tells you your location. |
| 1:27.0 | It's useful for finding your way and also letting people know where you are. |
| 1:32.3 | For it to work, it relies on at least four satellites being able to directly ping your phone. |
... |
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