Custom platform development for Smart Navigation Systems

Smart Navigation Systems is a UAE-based startup focusing on indoor navigation and positioning.

Duration 2015 – 2018
Team 7 members
Type Location tracking and marketing
Industry Indoor navigation
Platforms Web, mobile

Project idea

The client envisaged a feature-rich location and positioning solution to help visitors orient inside large facilities. The app provides turn-by-turn guidance to the destination point. Also, users receive context-based notifications via BLE beacons.

Target audience

The solution targets several user groups. Facility visitors use it to navigate through facilities with the help of voiced instructions or the 3D map. Facility owners receive detailed analytics on user behavior and the busiest places inside facilities. Shop owners can manage promo campaigns and offers.

Results

The team has delivered native iOS and Android apps for visitors and a Web-based administration panel for system management. The system can be used inside different types of facilities, including non-consumer market applications (factories, warehouses, and more).

The team has delivered native iOS and Android apps for visitors and a Web-based admin panel for system management. The system can be used inside different types of facilities, including non-consumer market applications (factories, warehouses, and more).

Core Tech

OpenGL
Indoo.rs
Indoor Atlas
3D Map

Project challenges

The use of several positioning systems challenged the team to build specific app architecture for this purpose. The team managed a seamless switch between technologies e.g., a switch from Indoor Atlas to Indoo.rs runs unnoticed for end users when they go up or down to another floor with a different topography.

The team optimized power consumption for the child’s app to prolong battery life and ensure maximum tracking time.
Optimized route generation between two points relies on several technologies. The app can create a route inside a facility and between two facilities. In the latter case, the system will find the closest exit in the first facility and then establish the path to the nearest entrance of the second one using GPS.

Planning

Input

The client initially had:

Vast background in GPS navigation.
The idea of a feature-rich navigation system.
A vision of product expansion and related solutions.

Analysis

The team:

Prepared project specification and wireframes.
Designed a project plan, ensuring delivery of a prototype as soon as possible.
Delivered envisaged functionality according to set milestones.
Integrated required third-party SDKs, engines, and services.
Iterated on the app for users, adding new features and improving UX.

Result

Our work resulted in:

SaaS solution ready for use.
Admin panel and an API.
Variety of available roles, ensuring efficient system management.
Detailed guides for Facility Owners and Shop Owners.

Business benefits

Find-my-car

The system remembers the position of the user's car in the parking and navigates back to it.

Outdoor-to-outdoor navigation

The system uses GPS to navigate users to the facility first via Google Maps. It downloads indoor maps and guides to the required destination.

White-label approach

Businesses can customize InNav and use it under their brand. They can also use it in private mode to control access to the facility.

Support of different facility types

It can be implemented at any large facility (hospitals, airports, campuses, and more).

Main project features

Navigation app

Users search for places of interest, goods, restaurants, etc., by categories, types, and titles. The app builds the route and provides turn-by-turn navigation with accompanying voice directions. 3D map support is available.

The app can also display friends in the same facility upon users sending and accepting friend requests.

Child tracking app

Parents install the app on their child’s smartphones to know where they are. The app enables both tracking indoors and outdoors. It sends an immediate notification when the child has left a pre-set 10-ft. zone.