Store-bought clothes are the norm for most people, but there’s always one kid at school whose parents insisted on hand-making everything they wore. In this labored metaphor, China’s the overbearing matriarch, demanding its progeny adopt Beidou, its made-at-home GPS system to rival GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. The country’s ministry of transport is mandating that vehicles used for transporting “dangerous articles,” passenger buses and heavy-duty trucks swap out their existing systems for Beidou the next time they’re due for an upgrade. Personal drivers escape the current decree, but those in rural areas will be greatly encouraged to make the transition as the country tries to reduce its dependence on Apple Maps western navigation platforms.
Filed under: GPS
Via:The Register
Source:Chinese Ministry of Transport (Translated)
Read more http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/16/china-beidou-mandate/
