Moving at a rate of roughly 7.5cm per year, the Australian plate is one of the fastest moving continental plates requiring an update to GPS coordinates four times every 50 years. The last time Australia changed its GPS coordinates was in 1994.
While a distance of five feet doesn't seem like a big deal, since your smartphone's GPS system is accurate to approximately 5 to 12 metres, the disparity could drastically affect driverless vehicles. In the US, the average width of a highway lane is roughly 4 metres. If an autopilot system is off by 1.5 metres, a car could potentially be driven into a ditch or into the opposite lane of traffic.
Since the Australian continent moves at a rapid pace, the country's coordinates will be need to be monitored and updated far more regularly into the future as driverless vehicles become as common as expected.
----
1800Approved is an award winning finance broker, Australia's Broker of the Year for 2016 !
We have helped tens of thousands own their dream car, boat, jetski or caravan.
Let us help you find the best car finance rate in Australia today. Call us at 1800 277 768.
No obligation.