Indoor Positioning System

When Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer from the late-middle ages, used his cartographic skills to outline a map of the American continent in order to differentiate it from Asia’s eastern boundaries, many explorers suspected his navigational abilities as the sketch did not comply with Columbus’ conjecture. However, his discovery was soon acknowledged and his navigational abilities were lauded across the European continent for introducing them to the map of the ‘New World’. Vespucci’s work gained so much popularity that an entire continent was named after him! In today’s world, satellite-based navigation using ‘smart’ devices has taken over traditional practices involving the use of compass & charts. GPS is the term associated with locating the exact position of an object or person using the earth’s geo-coordinates. Which means that there won’t be any more debates about whose map is right. Right? Adaptive Wayfinding Technology As our technological journey heads north, wayfinding & navigation have been increasingly used for locating and reaching points of interest. But what happens when you need navigation indoors, especially in large facilities spread over large tracts of land? Can you imagine finding points of interest in a huge resort, an airport, a zoo, a shopping mall or a convention center without a guide? As GPS does not work indoors due to infrastructural constraints, what is needed for accurate wayfinding is an indoor positioning and navigation system which works on multiple ‘smart’ platforms and records location data in real time. This is known as adaptive wayfinding technology – it aids in real-time wayfinding, supports location-based services and serves attendant purposes such as geofencing. Added to these, the best indoor wayfinding system also works offline, drawing location coordinates from strategically placed hardware such as beacons or RFID tags. Smart Wayfinding Technology – Industry Applicability Smart technology refers to applications and devices which successfully integrate multiple features into one, holistic interface. Let’s take social media apps for instance – a few years ago they were predominantly used for exchanging info through text messages only. Nowadays, the same apps can be used for messaging, uploading pics/videos, sharing live location, and transferring funds among others. This evolution in technological integration gives rise to dynamic, hybrid apps, of which smart wayfinding technology is a product. This section explores the industry applicability of wayfinding technology, outlining the advantages varied facilities can get by adopting this disruptive tech. Museum Wayfinding How has museum management evolved over the years, especially in the context of readily available digital tools which allow access to multiple audio-visual sources of information? Do museums still enthrall visitors the way they did earlier? Or are museums themselves a thing of the past Well, museums can still stay relevant and enhance visitor experience if they turn to indoor navigation technologies. Wayfinding technology-based apps which incorporate location-based services in a museum environment amplify visitor experience by enabling visitors choose a path within the facility, get exhibit info relayed directly to their smart devices, receive vital updates regarding the no-go zones & events, etc Zoo Wayfinding Zoos are spaces for fun, frolic, and facts. However, given the space in relation to the time spent by visitors, it is often the case that a big chunk of them do not get to see most, if not all, specimens from the animal kingdom in a single day. This problem occurs because visitors are unable to plan their route, thus narrowing down their options of what to see and when. While the feline section draws a lot of attention & time, we realize that by the end of the day that the reptiles section hasn’t been updated at all! At this juncture, it becomes important for the Zoo management to focus on vital visitor experience signs to keep them engaged in a bid to ensure brand vitality. It’s in this scenario that zoo wayfinding technology becomes imperative for adoption as it doubles-up as a ‘smart’ interface between visitors and the facility managers. When users can access the entire floor plan of the zoo, bookmark their locations, get notified about events, use animal face recognition to understand species better, and locate their family & friends with ease – all on their smart devices, the zoo definitely scores better feedback. Airport Wayfinding Extensive facilities such as international airports face a constant challenge when addressing visitors’ concerns and queries. Despite their best efforts to provide reliable responses to travelers, there emerge instances when the airport management needs the support of technology to ensure smooth operation of the facility.   Indoor wayfinding & navigation technology is the most appropriate interface which can be adopted by large airports across the globe. As mentioned earlier in this post, when this tech can be dovetailed with features such as geofencing, location-based services and instant messaging options, it truly translates into an adaptive technology. Campus Wayfinding Educational campuses spread over a large area inevitably need indoor positioning & wayfinding solutions for accurate campus navigation. With real-time information made available on users’ smart devices, locating points of interest becomes effortless. In addition to navigation and wayfinding, the ‘campus navigation’ platform can be customized to aid in event management, schedule courses, and relay notifications & alerts among others.

A critical part of the larger business intelligence (BI) domain, location-based analytics or location analytics allows organizations from varied industry segments to put together a composite space management plan by combining users’ geographic location with behavioral information obtained from various data generating channels such as smart devices, social media platforms or global positioning systems (GPS).   Location-Based Analytics: Market Trends For the retail industry, location based analytics can develop marketing strategies further to generate a better RoI. However, for this to happen retailers need to look at evolving trends from the location based services market. Market research firms project that this industry is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to reach USD 66.61 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of approximately 20%. The global retail analytics market, as projected by market research firm Fortune Business Insights, is currently valued at USD 3,494.6 million and is expected to reach USD 13,299.6 million by 2026, at a CAGR of approximately 19%. The report also mentions that retail analytics offer retailers the ability to create and collect data, analyze and arrive at robust decisions to increase their bottom line. Experts from the field of data analytics and retail management also suggest that ethical use of  location data can help in building long-lasting relationships with customers, while increasing their brand value to prospects. Location Data: Consumer Concerns v/s Consumer Benefits While there are users’ concerns regarding data protection & data ‘pinching’, retailers can benefit from this situation as the power of sharing location or spatial information remains with the users alone. Only when users agree to turn on their location will they be able to send or receive communication to/from a particular source. For instance, when in a massive shopping mall, users can notify stores in the vicinity about their presence by turning on their location sharing option on their smart device. Once this is done, store owners can relay flash deals to users through push notifications. As these messages are based on users’ proximity to the store, retailers can look forward to increased sales while consumers themselves can get their hands on their favorite merchandise, at a discounted price! Through the ‘willful’ sharing of location data, a concern has turned into a benefit for both the retailers as well as the shoppers. In another scenario, where occupants inside a facility need to transmit their location information on a regular basis as part of the company policy, it becomes imperative for the management of that particular organization to gather data without the users turning on their devices. This activity, however, varies from organization to organization and isn’t considered a universal norm. In most retail spaces, especially ones spread across large areas, customers tend to miss out on good deals & offers as visiting each store to check out what’s on sale is physically strenuous… which impacts customer experience of the space negatively. Which leads us to the next logical question – what is the appropriate technology for retailers to ensure enhanced customer experience leading to improved revenue? Location-Based Analytics: How to Choose the Right Tech for Marketing As depicted in the image above, retailers can thrive by adopting a smart application supported by Geolocation technology. This will help build better connections between them and their customers. In addition to proximity marketing, a ‘shopping mall navigation app’ can deliver additional benefits such as indoor wayfinding, location bookmarking, location based services, and real-time asset tracking. When combined, these individual benefits give rise to location based data of the user, which can in turn be used to make well informed marketing decisions. When it comes to gathering data based on a user’s location, the foremost technology that renders this service is the Global Positioning System (GPS). Applications used for maps & navigation, ride hailing, and dating among others use GPS as their primary tech platform. However, GPS tech is not effective indoors as the building infrastructure and its attendant paraphernalia negate the strength of the GPS signal. This poses a huge problem for large facilities such as retail spaces, corporate campuses, and healthcare centers among others. The solution lies in using Geolocation technology. Geolocation tech, when integrated with an easy to use and responsive interface, can enable accurate indoor navigation, location based services, and asset tracking. To aid these functions hardware such as beacons, RFID tags or NFC labels can be used. WiFi can also come in handy when its reach is evenly spread across the length and breadth of the facility. Also read our post on location based services trends in 2020.

Large facilities across the globe have been increasingly using geofencing technology to secure their perimeter and keep track of devices entering or exiting the facility. In addition to this, its advantages include real-time information on facility usage including asset tracking. This post explores the applications, benefits and challenges presented by Geofencing technology. According to Google, “geofencing is a virtual geographic boundary, defined by GPS or RFID technology, that enables software to trigger a response when a mobile device enters or leaves a particular area.” In simpler words, an area surrounded by a virtual fence (Geofence) allows the admin to map the number of devices which come in and go out of the facility. In a government space such as a military base or a scientific establishment it allows for heightened security as visitors and their behavior can be mapped in real-time. In a retail facility such as a shopping mall, the mall admin can push notifications of offers and deals of visitors located within the confines of this virtual perimeter. All this can be accomplished using a mobile application with geofencing technology. However, to trigger response from users, they need to relay their location, making their devices recognizable for instant and real-time notifications. What Enables Geofencing Technology? With the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and local radio-frequencies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Beacons, geofencing technology works as an instant responsive tool for people. Geolocation technology is undoubtedly a global phenomenon, for instance: you get into your car after work and commute towards home and suddenly a notification pops up in your phone saying that the route you are about to take consists of heavy traffic. This allows you to pick an alternate route and reach your desired location on time, every time. Geofencing technology is the reason behind this magic and this technology is said to be the marketing marvel in the promotion industry as well, states a survey. How Does Geofencing Work? There are 4 important elements to understand how this technology works: The barrier The crossing The messaging and The permission Firstly, the barrier is a preset placed with the help of technology restricted to limited geography which could be small, big or unimaginably huge facility. The crossing is when the user enter your predefined zone and you will know it because the mobile phones of the users are often integrated with geofencing and this primarily works with Bluetooth. The messaging is when the user enters the geofencing territory, a communication will be sent to the users individually via text messages, push notifications, and digital ads. The permission is the most important part of this transaction, though it is mentioned last. To make the geofencing campaign work, users need to allow you to have access to your GPS information (location turn-on). This will work as permission granted step from the user point of view in order to send notifications, messages, and promotions related to your product, service or what not. Applications of Geofencing With impeccable productivity and instantaneous to-do lists to routine household management, geofencing technology has found acceptability in a wide range of applications over the years. Here are a few of them: Uber Walgreens BMW Taco Bell Jet Blue Uses of Geofencing: Location Tracking & Asset Monitoring Almost all the contemporary enterprises today are already part of the geofencing family. Today, location-based promotions have become a boom and every other mobile app has integrated it for the promoting their product or service. Geofencing can not only work as a mobile marketing tool alone but can extract the following in various industries as well: User Tracking and Analysis Facility Control Security Productivity Geofencing – Challenges The benefits of using geofencing technology are many but, however, there are few challenges faced by the users and the management. Privacy Concerns : As the users need to disclose some of their information in order to avail the benefits of this technology, there is a scope of their information being hacked. Relevant Messages : Another major challenge is that if retailers do not have a complete record of specific users, then other users who are not relevant at that point in time will receive communications i.e., notifications from them. Thus making it a pointless and un-ambitious strategy, which is a loss for the senders. Geofencing Marketing Many surveys disclosed several facts about why geofencing is a hit from day the day it was launched. More than 65% of users expect to have information on their mobile devices At least 40% users want information on the go When sure about getting something in return, 70% of users are willing to share their location information Due to location-based marketing (geofencing), stores have seen double the engagements than ever before. Read more and in-detail here. Geofencing enables growth of retail technology is a promising one, particularly for all mobile application services. Moreover, the effects of using this technology have lead to more engagement, cost-effectiveness, time savings and a truly transformative experience for large enterprises.

Indoor positioning is the most commonly used umbrella term which includes all of these ‘indoor GPS’ technologies. However, when observed closely at the technological platform they thrive on, the rationale for using these varied terms to describe them individually becomes self-explanatory. Indoor navigation, magnetic positioning, and indoor localization refer to technologies adopted by large facilities to help them locate objects, spaces, or people inside the facility where the satellite-enabled Global Positioning System (GPS) does not work due to the infrastructural elements such as walls, cabin material, glass, etc. In order to counter this challenge, Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) use a wide array of platforms to enable users locate and navigate within a facility, wayfinding to their points of interest. One of the primary reasons for incorporating this technology within a large facility is the flexibility it offers inefficient facility management. Once adopted, users can effortlessly locate, navigate and way find on their smart devices. An extension of these technologies makes Location Based Services (LBS) possible as well. Indoor Positioning Technologies – Key Features So what are the key features of these three positioning technologies? What industries can they be adopted by to help manage the facility better? Which is the most cost-effective type? It has been eruditely mentioned in an article in 2013 that for this technology to be successful and arrive at a point where precision becomes the norm, a combination of technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ultrawideband may be the answer. Towards the end of the article even leveraging benefit from Internet of Things (IoT) was mentioned, which as we know today, is a reality that has emerged faster than it was predicted. The table below lists these three terms against parameters used to identify them. With growing focus on the applicability of these technologies, as mentioned in this highly engaging feature, it is important to understand the fine differences between these three terms as well.   Indoor Navigation Magnetic Positioning Indoor Localization Used for Navigating inside a large facility Locating people or objects inside a building Locating a device or a user inside a building How does it work? Uses radio waves, acoustic signals, and other sensory information Uses magnetic sensor data from a Smartphone Recommended for use with Wi-Fi & IoT Technology platform Wi-Fi, Beacons, Bluetooth, Radiofrequency Magnetic Fields within a facility Wireless Infrastructure with IoT Accuracy 80% and above 90% and above 95% and above Industry applicability Office Spaces, Wildlife Parks, Resorts, Shopping Malls, Convention Centers Office Spaces, Shopping Malls, Warehouses Hospitals, Shopping Malls, Disaster Management Indoor Data Tracking Possible Possible Possible Additional Infrastructure Wireless Infrastructure, Beacons, etc None Wireless Infrastructure Cost Subject to hardware installation Comparatively cheaper Subject to hardware installation Works as a mobile application? Possible Possible Possible What can be gathered from the above chart is that using an IPS will have to be based on the industry it is set to be implemented in. However, as has been written about in our earlier blog posts, a facility needs much more from a mobile application than positioning and navigation alone. Hence, the success of any of these three technologies lies in seamless integration with other features like indoor navigation which would help in superior facility management. How Important is Accuracy and How Accurate is an IPS? Let’s not forget the fact that an IPS should not be evaluated by its accuracy alone, though accuracy defines the effectiveness of the technology. And with recent improvements in algorithms, it’s much safer now to call IPS the most accurate technology for navigating as GPS systems do not work effectively indoors. This journal article has plenty of details on the accuracy of an IPS. Tracking People and Objects The safety & security of people and objects is assured with IPS as it can control people and restrict them to certain areas. Also, it gives a visual overview of all the personnel within the house which makes it easy to monitor.IPS plays an important role in facilities that need to track personnel and ensure accountability of their safety as well. For instance, while someone (personnel) is in a static position in a space not meant for them, this technology will identify it and notify the management instantly. Additional Benefits of IPS on Tracking People and Objects: • Protection from theft and misplace of assets• Assurance of tracking compliance and protocol• Helps avoid accidents and enhances the safety of the workers and the visitors• Tracks suspicious gestures and optimal employee accountability.