Satamatics Global Personnel Tracker

Satamatics is a global provider of satellite-telematics (whatever those are) and asset tracking and monitoring services. The company just launched its new “Personnel Tracker,” which uses satellite technology to track individuals in “dangerous, hostile and remote locations, and provide alarm functions for emergency situations.” I have never heard of anything so big brother in my entire life. Is it like those chips you have implanted in your dog’s ear so you can find him if he gets lost? Not exactly. But “The tracker is easily transportable and small enough to be carried in a rucksack or with the addition of magnetic feet, mounted onto a vehicle, thus allowing deployment flexibility. It is also compatible for use with PDAs, which means that users can use the Personnel Tracker for 2-way communication and upgrade their firmware as they travel.” So someone could stick it on your car and track you like Lojack. Hmmm.

The Personnel Tracker “is housed in a single, compact, lightweight unit, which contains the Satellite terminal with an integral GPS receiver, as well as a built-in battery that allows continuous operation and data transmission between charges. All of Satamatics’ products operate over Inmarsat’s satellite network which provides reliable, worldwide coverage, making the Personnel Tracker ideal for keeping track of individuals who are situated remotely where mobile phone and other radio network coverage is limited or non-existent.”

What does that mean? The Personnel Tracker transmits regular position reports at time intervals chosen by the customer and allows the user to trigger a panic alarm if an emergency situation occurs. If you’re someplace so remote that cell phones and radio coverage doesn’t work, I’m not sure what good that will do you (with the possible exception of hikers and/or mountain climbers who get lost or stranded).

Here is another scary quote from the press release: “Additionally, companies can ensure compliance with increasingly stringent legislation that dictates that the safety of employees must be maintained at all times.” So no more telling your boss you’re on a sales call when you’re really at the golf course.

So scary.