Futuristic drone equipped with GPS and IMU sensors flying through a networked city.

Lost No More: How GPS and IMU Tracking Keeps What Matters Safe

Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the power of GPS and IMU sensors in tracking technology and how it's revolutionizing unmanned vehicle monitoring and safety."

Imagine a world where keeping track of valuable equipment or remote vehicles is simple. As unmanned vehicles become more common, the need to accurately monitor their location and movement is very important. This is where tracking systems come in.

Traditional tracking methods often fall short when it comes to providing real-time location and attitude data, especially in environments where GPS signals may be weak or unavailable. To overcome these limitations, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors are used, offering a robust and precise solution for tracking objects in dynamic conditions.

This article explores the technology of GPS and IMU sensor integration for tracking objects. We'll break down how these systems work, their applications, and why they're becoming increasingly essential in various fields.

Understanding GPS and IMU Sensor Technology

Futuristic drone equipped with GPS and IMU sensors flying through a networked city.

At the heart of advanced tracking systems lie two fundamental technologies: GPS and IMU sensors. GPS provides location data by communicating with a network of satellites, offering latitude, longitude, and altitude information. However, GPS signals can be obstructed by buildings, tunnels, or dense foliage, leading to inaccuracies or complete signal loss.

IMU sensors, on the other hand, use accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to measure an object's acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation. By integrating data from these sensors, IMUs can accurately estimate an object's position and attitude, even in the absence of GPS signals. This capability makes IMUs valuable for applications where continuous tracking is critical.

To get the best of both worlds, GPS and IMU are often combined using sensor fusion techniques like the complementary filter. Here's a simple breakdown:

GPS provides absolute position data but can be unreliable.
IMU provides accurate short-term motion data but drifts over time.
A complementary filter combines these data streams, using GPS to correct the IMU's drift and IMU to fill in the gaps when GPS signals are lost.

The data collected from GPS and IMU sensors is processed by microcontrollers, which use algorithms to filter noise, compensate for sensor errors, and estimate the object's position, velocity, and attitude. This information is then transmitted wirelessly to a central monitoring station, where it can be displayed and analyzed in real-time.

The Future of Tracking Technology

As technology advances, GPS and IMU tracking systems are becoming smaller, more affordable, and more accurate. Integration with other sensors and data sources, such as LiDAR and computer vision, promises to further enhance the capabilities of these systems. From autonomous vehicles to asset tracking and beyond, GPS and IMU sensor technology is paving the way for a future where keeping track of what matters is easier.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

How does Global Positioning System (GPS) technology work for tracking, and what are its limitations?

Global Positioning System (GPS) offers location data by using satellite networks, providing latitude, longitude, and altitude. However, its signals can be unreliable in areas where there are obstructions such as buildings or dense foliage, which can cause inaccurate readings or complete signal loss. Understanding these limitations is crucial when deploying GPS tracking solutions.

What is the role of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors in tracking systems, and what are their shortcomings?

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors use accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to determine an object's acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation. IMUs can precisely estimate position and attitude, even without GPS signals, making them essential for continuous tracking. However, IMUs can drift over time, which means their accuracy decreases without external correction. This limitation highlights the need for complementary technologies, such as GPS, to maintain long-term accuracy.

How does a complementary filter combine GPS and IMU data, and what benefits does it offer?

The complementary filter combines data streams from GPS and IMU to leverage their respective strengths. GPS provides absolute position data but can be unreliable, while IMU offers accurate short-term motion data but drifts over time. The filter uses GPS to correct the IMU's drift and IMU to fill in the gaps when GPS signals are unavailable. Sensor fusion techniques beyond the complementary filter, like Kalman filters, offer more sophisticated ways to integrate these data streams for even better accuracy and robustness.

What happens to the data collected from GPS and IMU sensors, and how is it processed for monitoring?

GPS and IMU sensor data are processed by microcontrollers, which use algorithms to filter noise, compensate for sensor errors, and estimate the object's position, velocity, and attitude. This information is wirelessly transmitted to a central monitoring station for real-time display and analysis. The effectiveness of this process depends on the quality of the algorithms used and the microcontroller's processing power. Future systems may incorporate edge computing to perform more complex data processing directly on the device, reducing latency and bandwidth requirements.

What are the expected future advancements in GPS and IMU tracking technology, and what implications do they have?

The future of GPS and IMU tracking technology involves making systems smaller, more affordable, and more accurate, while integrating additional sensors and data sources such as LiDAR and computer vision. These advancements will enhance capabilities in areas from autonomous vehicles to asset tracking, promising a future where monitoring and tracking what is important becomes simpler and more efficient. Further innovations could include AI-driven predictive maintenance and real-time anomaly detection, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency.