Developing an indoor navigation system involves merging advanced technology with a user-focused design.
This guide presents a strategic approach to creating high-precision and user-friendly indoor navigation solutions for malls, airports, and offices.
We cover key steps and technologies to develop a reliable and intuitive indoor navigation system.
An indoor map development project goes through the following phases:
In the case of a fixed-price project, these phases may extend throughout the entire project timeline. A sprint, which is a short, time-boxed period during which a specific set of tasks is completed, can be used to manage these phases effectively. Each sprint can be completed using an Agile development approach.
Indoor navigation apps use various technologies to help users navigate complex indoor spaces where GPS signals are often unreliable or unavailable. Here are the main technologies used:
The indoor navigation market is rapidly evolving, shaped by technological advancements and emerging user needs.
Here are key insights and statistics that underscore the current landscape and the future potential of indoor maps and navigation.
Source: Global indoor positioning and indoor navigation market size
Indoor navigation applications serve as digital compasses, guiding users through complex indoor spaces such as malls, airports, hospitals, and corporate campuses.
Here are some of the core features that define these innovative solutions:
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Implementing indoor navigation systems offers many benefits for businesses across various sectors, enhancing operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and user engagement. Here are some of the key advantages companies stand to gain:
When developing an indoor navigation app, a big part of the functionality is connected to the navigation provider. The map should be configured on the vendor’s side and then integrated into the application.
In general, the flow for creating an indoor navigation application will be:
Let’s go through each step.
Each project starts with a business need that must be resolved. The key to success is establishing the project goal and understanding the target audience and their needs.
The next step after determining business needs is transforming them into technical requirements. Usually, this step involves a business analyst (BA). The BA creates the project’s main documents, such as the roadmap and the SRS. In this step, requirements can be gathered for the whole project or a small part.
Based on the project’s requirements and the desired result, the BA and the technical team will choose the optimal approach and SDK for positioning and navigation, considering factors like subscription costs, equipment prices, venue size, and floor count. This decision is crucial, as the selected SDK will form the project’s core.
This step is connected to map configuration on the indoor navigation provider’s side. These are the usual steps:
These steps may vary for different providers. For example, these are the steps for Apple Indoor Navigation:
Some map providers skip the fingerprinting step, as they provide self-learning indoor maps. Additional on-site configuration may be optional.
After creating the map on the provider’s side, it is time to integrate it into your application. This step depends on the selected provider. Some providers only offer a map background image and another 2D or 3D map. Both of these options should be considered to achieve the best results for the application.
Here is where all the interesting things start. Navigation SDKs are great technologies, but they remain instruments for businesses. A navigation SDK itself is not an answer to business needs. Additional logic on top of it is that answer.
For example, navigation can be used in different domains: retail, healthcare, airports, etc. All of these domains have different needs, and usually, these needs won’t be covered only by navigation. Functionality such as search, advertisements, and saving locations give value to the user and can be developed on top of navigation functionality.
The final step is releasing the application — first for beta testers, then publicly for all users.
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The cost of creating an indoor navigation product can differ greatly depending on factors such as the solution’s complexity, the technologies employed, the scope of deployment, and the location of the development team.
Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs:
This technology detects the proximity between a receiver, like a smartphone, and a transmitting device, like a Wi-Fi router. It measures how close the devices are to each other to estimate the user’s location.
Trilateration calculates an object’s position by measuring its distance from multiple known points (typically radio wave sources). The strength of the signal indicates how far away the object is from these points.
Fingerprinting uses the intensity of signals captured over time to pinpoint a device’s location. This data, consisting of signal strengths and coordinates, is stored in a database to match and locate new devices when they appear on the network.
This method uses a smartphone’s built-in sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, to track the device’s movements and, consequently, the user’s trajectory within an indoor space.
Indoor positioning systems often rely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi because they can operate effectively where GPS signals are obstructed, such as inside buildings.
NFC tags can be placed around a facility, and smartphones can update their position in real time as they come into proximity with these tags.
These technologies allow for aggregating the data necessary to create precise indoor maps. Such maps are crucial for providing accurate location information, thereby enhancing users’ navigational experiences.
IT Craft has been instrumental in transforming the indoor navigation experience through its work with Smart Navigation Systems, a visionary startup from the UAE dedicated to improving indoor positioning. A tailored team of seven specialists from IT Craft has contributed to this success.
Our joint effort has yielded a sophisticated indoor tracking and marketing platform, enabling visitors to navigate expansive venues with intuitive turn-by-turn instructions and notifications via BLE beacons.
Developing an indoor navigation system requires strategic planning, knowledge of advanced technologies, and a focus on user needs. This approach offers a roadmap for businesses to enhance the user experience and improve operational efficiency across various settings, from retail locations to airport terminals.
As technology advances, indoor navigation systems will become more precise and interactive, transforming how users interact with indoor spaces and creating smarter, more connected environments.
The best indoor mapping software depends on specific business needs and use cases, but solutions like Google Indoor Maps, HERE Venues, and Mapwize are popular for their robust features and ease of use.
Businesses need indoor navigation apps to improve the customer experience, enhance operational efficiency, and provide real-time information and guidance within complex indoor spaces.
Malls, airports, large office buildings, hospitals, universities, and event venues can benefit significantly from an indoor navigation app.
Yes, Google Maps offers indoor maps for select locations, allowing users to navigate within places like airports, malls, and stadiums.
GPS is generally unreliable for indoor navigation due to signal loss and structure interference, which significantly reduce its accuracy inside buildings.
An indoor positioning system (IPS) that uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth beacons, and other sensors is an alternative to GPS, offering greater accuracy within buildings.
You can create your indoor map for free using tools like Google My Maps, OpenStreetMap, or software with a free tier or trial period that allows you to design custom indoor maps.
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