Types of Indoor Positioning Systems
Key Features of Indoor Navigation, Magnetic Positioning and Indoor Localization Technologies
Indoor positioning is the most commonly used umbrella term which includes all of these ‘indoor GPS’ technologies. However, when we observe closely and look at the technological platform they thrive on, the rationale for using these varied terms to describe them individually becomes self-explanatory.
All these three types 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, glass etc. In order to counter this challenge, indoor positioning systems (IPS) use wide arrays of platforms to enable users locate and navigate within a facility.
For the management team of the facility, it helps in efficient facility management as users have the flexibility to locate, navigate and way find.
So what are the key features of these three IPS types? 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 indoor navigation to be successful and arrive at a point where precision becomes the norm, a combination of technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ultra-wideband 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 the three terms as well.
Indoor NavigationMagnetic PositioningIndoor Localization
Used forNavigating inside a large facilityLocating people or objects inside a buildingLocating a device or a user inside a building
How does it work?Uses radio waves, acoustic signals, and other sensory informationUses magnetic sensor data from a SmartphoneRecommended for use with Wi-Fi & IoT
Technology platformWi-Fi, Beacons, Bluetooth, Radio frequencyMagnetic Fields within a facilityWireless Infrastructure with IoT
Accuracy80% and above90% and above95% and above
Industry applicabilityOffice Spaces, Wildlife Parks, Resorts, Shopping Malls, Convention CentersOffice Spaces, Shopping Malls, WarehousesHospitals, Shopping Malls, Disaster Management
Indoor Data Tracking Possible
Additional InfrastructureWireless Infrastructure, Beacons, etcNoneWireless Infrastructure
CostSubject to hardware installationComparatively cheaperSubject to hardware installation
Works as a mobile application?PossiblePossiblePossible
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.
Hence, the success of any of these three technologies lies in seamless integration with other features which would help in superior facility management.
Also read our blog Indoor navigation app: The next big paradigm shift in facility management [Indoor Positioning and Navigation]