Historical overview of automobile navigation technology

Sophisticated automobile navigation systems are becoming feasible largely because of low-cost computer technology. Computer technology is used to add artificial intelligence to dead reckoning navigation techniques that have been around for as long as 2000 years, and to automate radio frequency navigation concepts dating back to WW-II. This paper outlines the history of navigation technologies applicable to automobiles, and discusses their integration in various systems approaches ranging from the mechanical route guides of the early 1900's to the high-technology systems now beginning to appear.