New Zealand company Spidertracks Ltd was the first to develop a truly portable satellite-based GPS tracking device for the aviation market. Miniaturising existing expensive, complicated technology, it created a palm-sized tracking unit powered via the lighter socket and, most importantly, without an external aerial or antenna. With a simple web-based client interface, Spidertracks has made tracking technology accessible and affordable for most pilots. In September 2009, Spidertracks Ltd was voted the second most exciting electronics company in the country by The National Business Review.

Discussion starters:

• Describe Spidertracks as (a) a product and (b) a system. Why can it be considered as both a product and a system?
• Explain the integration of the subsystems involved in Spidertracks in the design and maintenance of the system as a whole.

Company website

Spidertracks demo video