Indoor Navigation System Study- NAVIN
Last Updated: 15/05/2023 10:33 Created at: 15/05/2023 10:06
Final Presentation of NAVISP Project EL3 021 now available:
On Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, CGI IT Czech Republic s.r.o. presented, together with its consortium partner O2 Czech Republic a.s. the results of the NAVISP EL3 021 project "NavIN - Indoor Navigation - System Study of navigation solution based on commercially available technologies for mobile phone users ". About 40 people from industry and research institutes followed the interesting presentation and the subsequent interactive Q&A session.
In the near future, the digital and real worlds will merge more and more, creating a highly connected environment. Already today, people interact with their surroundings in a reciprocal manner. Electronic devices such as smartphones, watches, tokens, and cards can detect various aspects of the world. By processing and integrating data in new ways, these devices offer fresh perspectives that can be leveraged for innovative applications.
As traditional GNSS applications face difficulties when navigating indoors, a feasibility study was conducted leveraging on the above opportunities to evaluate the potential of integrating GNSS technologies (a combination of GPS and Galileo) with network technologies and Building Information Modelling (BIM) to enable indoor navigation using common devices such as tablets and mobile phones. The proposed solution utilizes an intelligent and reliable 3D model as a base map, augmented by additional user experience and user interface functionalities. More specifically, indoor navigation refers to a service that is able to help its users within enclosed spaces (typically buildings) to determine their location and provide some sort of navigational assistance to help the user reach their desired destination. Various activities have been carried out to enable such a target including:
- Collection of User Requirements
- General Architecture and Technical Feasibility
- Map Sources Processing Design
- Technology Assessment and Validation (Wi-Fi RSSI, BLE RSSI, Wi-Fi RTT, GNSS, AR)
- Infrastructure and Sensoring Data Processing Design,
- UI and Mobile Application Technical Design
- Business Analysis (economical and non-economic)
- Solution Road Map definition
Based on these activities a system was designed and tested that can be used in various industries, building types, and tailored to meet specific customer requirements. More specifically, the NAVIN system integrates various technologies, including GNSS, 5G, UWB, Bluetooth Wifi (RTT+RSSI), and AR, with a focus on 5G and Wi-Fi/BLE as high-potential enablers. Testing different scenarios revealed that no single technology can provide the necessary accuracy for all use cases. However, this limitation is viewed as an opportunity to usher in a new generation of solutions that can seamlessly switch between positioning techniques based on available hardware and infrastructure changes, thus offering a navigation solution that is universally applicable.
During the project, CGI was supported by O2, the main mobile network operator in the country. O2 has extensive experience with public sector stakeholders and users, as well as knowledge of hardware and network technologies. They also played a key role in assessing the needs of public and national users, analyzing network technologies and BIM solutions, evaluating technological proof of concept, and developing a roadmap for indoor navigation.
The results of the NavIN system provide promising prospects for indoor navigation to contribute to more efficient processes within the digitization of public administration, including building management and maintenance, and navigation of people around buildings.
The project was part of NAVISP Element 3, aiming to support national PNT strategies by providing support per country and possibly per domain for the development and promotion of products, applications and services based on PNT systems to foster national and international cooperation.
More detailed information can be found in the slides of the final presentation here together with a couple of videos showing the results of the prototypes solution.