The Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) System is one of the hottest technologies to permeate the consumer market from its military origins. GPS receivers are excellent at providing precise positional data on the globe, yet a vast potential for greater utilization of GPS technology as an interactive informational delivery aid remains to be tapped.

A large realm where this potential could be unleashed is in the travel and tourism industry. Current GPS systems for the consumer market make minimal use of the information provided by the technology. Our project intends to add environmental awareness, which the group defines as the ability to provide detailed information on what is situated at and around a particular location, and what is interesting or important about it, to portable GPS devices. By simply walking around and exploring, a user can get a full and insightful account of a locale, including information such as the history of a statue or building, or perhaps that a restaurant near a particular location is highly regarded and is a "must-stop" eatery.

The group's approach to technically creating the described system involves the amalgamation of several existing technologies. The platform for this system will be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) attached with a compatible GPS receiver module. The group will also develop a native application and database for this platform capable of providing the described usage.

Upon completion of this project, it is expected that the group will be able to produce a working prototype as proof-of-concept for this technology, by demonstrating its effectiveness in and around Stevens campus.