GPS Tracking Shoes Are the New Must-Have Accessory

Parents and caregivers are constantly concerned with the safety of their charges, and with good reason. Every year, thousands of young children, outpatient schizophrenics and family members with Alzheimer's go missing, despite the careful vigilance of their loved ones. Some are found within hours, but others are gone days or months at a time or are sadly never found. Ask any parent how they would feel about easily keeping track of their children every minute and you'd find an eager audience for this "magical" technology.

Enter GTX Corporation's CEO and Founder, Patrick Bertanga, who's bringing a new meaning to the words "track shoes". Motivated by the disappearance of Elizabeth Smart, Bertanga began a five year stretch of developing miniaturized GPS tracking devices that would link with cellular technologies and be small enough to include in a wide variety of consumer products--including sneakers. These new GPS devices can fit into the sole of a running shoe and transmit data about the wearer's location, in real time, to your computer or cell phone. Every stop on their journey is plotted graphically on Google Maps, and Discovery Channel News reports that the device is accurate to within 37 feet!

The GPS tracking device doesn't stop there, however. Users can also set up what GTX refers to as a "geofence". With just a few clicks of the mouse on Google Maps, the consumer sets up a virtual perimeter around their home. If their child or disabled relative wanders past the perimeter, the user is immediately sent a text message alert. This service can also be set up to mark restricted areas, like bars or theaters, that will alert a parent if their child enters that restricted zone.

Such precise GPS tracking can bring peace of mind, but the inevitable questions arise about personal privacy and the possible misuse of the technology. In today's world there's a constant struggle between our own personal safety and our right to be free and autonomous without anyone watching our every move. But do the positives outweigh the negatives? Those who wish to find lost loved ones or beloved pets will certainly think so. Police departments and the military are also interested in GTX's GPS tracking to quickly locate officers who need assistance.

These personal GPS tracking devices appear to be the next step in our technological evolution. We already track cars when they're stolen, or locate children by the cell phone they're carrying. With GTX's new GPS tracking technology, it will become even easier to find who and what we care about. Over 150,000 people are already signed up to fork over $200 for the GPS tracking shoes and a $15-$20 monthly service fee³. Business and research consulting firm Frost & Sullivan forecasts that the personal GPS tracking device business will increase exponentially in the coming year, becoming an $8 billion industry by 2011⁴.

¹ "About GTX Corp." GTX.com.

² "GPS Shoe Hotfoots Your Location", DiscoveryChannelNews.com

³ Oakley, Larry. "GTX Corp is destined for 800% gains", Conservative Speculator, Spring/Summer 2008.

⁴ Lee, Booyeon. "Track Shoes". Los Angeles Business Journal, May 14-20, 2007.