Advances in mobile device technologies have provided industries across the public sector with innovative tools to integrate consumer-driven conveniences. GPS services, for example, are at the fingertips of any individual who owns a smartphone. Now that these devices are more ubiquitous, it's easier for technology developers to broaden the scope of mobile solutions.
Using Magnets to Navigate the Great... Indoors?
VentureBeat, for instance, reported that
Indoor Atlas has created an application that transforms smartphones into GPS devices for popular retail sites. Rather than outdoor navigation, however, by utilizing
strong magnets and the magnetic capabilities within most mobile devices, the company has made indoor GPS a reality. This app is a
unique blend of augmented reality (AR) and indoor positioning.
The application is now available for free evaluation and testing. Users can download the app to find their away around public locations, such as strip malls and large department stores. The technology has made it's way to China, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, and United States, and eventually more countries will use the program once launched.
Since each structure is equipped with its own magnetic field, hardware sensors to interact with the application's signal aren't necessary. The steel beams that comprise the buildings themselves should be enough. The software is even capable of distinguishing between floors in multi-level establishments.
"We use the magnetic fields to map the indoors," Janne Haverninen, Chief Executive of Indoor Atlas said. Animals may have maps encoded in their genes. We have magnetometers in our smartphones."
The Future of Indoor Navigation
Business Insider reported that
the research was inspired by ambient magnetic fields and how some creatures have the ability to navigate the Earth by using an affinity with the planet's local anomalies. According to the source, retailers will be able to guide consumers to specific items by affixing magnets of varying strengths, such as
cube magnets or
sphere magnets, to in-store landmarks to guide the application.
If stores begin to utilize this technology, it could open up new avenues of merchandise marketing.
Business Insider noted that although Indoor Atlas is not the only company moving forward with this idea, it had enormous success in Finland, where the business is based.
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