Magnetic Pole- Based GPS
Animals such as birds and bats use the earth’s unique magnetic field to navigate during their yearly migrations. This new technology aims to use the same method to provide electronic location information (just like GPS). The system references survey data which record the magnetic field strength and direction at points all over the planet to determine where exactly you are. While this is still very early, maybe it could turn into a supplemental ‘backup’ to today’s gps systems.
http://technology.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12714&feedId=tech_r ss20
