GPS drawing field experiments

Recording motion outdoors through phone GPS and wheelchair motion. Focused on the creative limits of GPS drawing and the connection with the maps the routes are presented on. Uses the myTracks (https://www.mytracks4mac.info) IOS app for tracking.

GPS recording settings:

• Averaging position off - (gives us more accurate GPS results but more noise in the route).
• Update every 1 sec (finest setting allowed)

Partial Sky visibility

Even with only a slightly covered sky the route has a lot of errors.

Errors in tracking due to partial sky view

Straight and curved lines

Drawing on the same pavement a straight and a curving line. Unclear why the thickness of the line varies.

straight line and curved line motion

Resolution of lines

Seeing how many trails can be placed on a single (large) pavement.

Density of distinct lines possible on a wide pavement.

Annotations through motion

A way of indiciating an area of interest purely using motion.

Annotating with loops

Resolution of shapes

What type of distinct shapes can be recognised through movement based annotation? An attempt to draw from top to bottom a circle, a triangle and a square on a small stretch of pavement.

From top to bottom: circle, triangle and square.

GPS routes mapped to Google Earth

Exporting GPS routes to satellite pictures using Google Earth.

Out of date satellite maps

At the time the satellite photos where taken this was an impossible route for a wheelchair.

Varying altitude

Altitude mapping is error prone, when we view the route in 3d we notice it disappears into the river while going over a bridge.

Route which goes into the river

Support

Commissioned and supported by Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists, with funding from SouthBank Centre and Arts Council England.