Localisation Technologies

Status: Concluded
In progress from 01-07-2010 to 31-12-2011
Project leaders:

Keywords: Ethics, Expert-based, Innovation, IT & communication, Risk, Transport technology

Localisation technologies encompass a variety of techniques enabling to locate of a person or an object in space. These technologies notably include satellite positioning systems, video surveillance or the analysis of wireless transmissions, both telephonic and digital.

Localisation technologies offer a number of applications that are useful in everyday life. In the transportation sector, for example, satellite navigation not only facilitates individual movements, it also enables the optimisation of logistics within companies. Positioning systems can also prove extremely valuable for locating accident victims, especially in mountain areas. While there are undoubted benefits, localisation technologies raise ethical and legal questions, particularly with regard to privacy protection.

The use of localisation technologies is growing daily. Some applications making use of these certainly offer the advantages of rapid geopositioning. Nevertheless, they do also raise a number of controversial issues, ranging from fears of privacy being restricted to the risk of abuse. Applications already in use in Switzerland and in other countries are currently widely discussed.

The purpose of this interdisciplinary study is to enable an evaluation of the opportunities and risks of localisation technologies in the economics, work and leisure domains.