Indoor navigation application

Summary

Angelo Boles, a fourth-year computer and electronic engineering student, developed an affordable and easy-to-implement indoor navigation system for the NVE campus. The system includes an offline mobile app that uses QR codes for positioning and an A* search algorithm for pathfinding. It leverages smartphone sensors for indoor positioning without GPS, employing a PDR approach with a complementary filter for direction and step detection for floor changes. This solution requires no additional infrastructure or costs, making it easily transferable to other complex indoor environments.

Takeaways

• 🏢 The campus building, like many malls and offices, is challenging to navigate for newcomers or visitors.
• 🗺️ Traditional maps often lack intuitiveness and directional clarity, making it difficult to determine which way to go.
• 👨‍🎓 Angelo Boles, a fourth-year computer and electronic engineering student, developed an indoor navigation system for his campus.
• 📱 The system is an offline mobile app that doesn't require Wi-Fi or data, relying solely on the user's mobile device.
• 💡 The app uses QR codes placed around the institution to set the user's starting location on a digital map.
• 🔍 Users can search for their desired destination using a search bar or by browsing available destinations.
• 🛤️ The A* search algorithm is applied to calculate the path between the starting point and destination by dividing the map into grids.
• 📍 The system uses a PDR approach, where the smartphone acts as an IMU, utilizing built-in sensors to determine the user's position and heading.
• 🧭 A complementary filter combines data from the gyroscope and magnetometer to reliably estimate the user's heading.
• 🔄 The accelerometer is used for step detection and to determine if the user is moving up or down a level for multi-floor navigation.
• 🔄 If the user's position is uncertain, rescanning the nearest QR code resets their location on the digital map.

Q & A

What is the main challenge addressed in the script?

The main challenge addressed is the difficulty of navigating campus buildings, malls, and offices for newcomers or visitors, even with the presence of info days or maps.

Who is Angelo Boles and what is his role in the project?

Angelo Boles is a fourth-year computer and electronic engineering student who developed an indoor navigation system to address the navigation challenges within buildings.

What is the purpose of the indoor navigation system developed by Angelo Boles?

The purpose of the system is to provide an intuitive, offline mobile app that can guide users from a specific starting location to their desired destination within a building, including stairways.

How does the navigation system work without relying on Wi-Fi or data?

The system uses the built-in sensors of a user's mobile device, such as the accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope, to determine the user's position and heading without the need for Wi-Fi or data.

What role do QR codes play in the navigation system?

QR codes are physically placed throughout the institution. Users can scan these codes to set their 'you are here' starting location on the digital map.

How does the system calculate the path for the user?

The system calculates the path by dividing the digital map into grids and applying the A* search algorithm to find the most efficient route between the starting point and destination.

What is the significance of the PDR approach used in the system?

The PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) approach is significant because it emulates the user's position and heading on the digital map using the smartphone's sensors, compensating for the lack of GPS in indoor environments.

How does the system determine the user's heading?

The system uses a complementary filter that combines data from the gyroscope and magnetometer to determine the user's heading direction.

What is the role of the accelerometer in the navigation system?

The accelerometer is used for step detection, allowing the system to track the user's movement in the direction the device is facing.

How can the user correct their position if the system's estimation is off?

If the user is unsure of their position, they can rescan the nearest QR code to reset their location on the digital map.

What lessons did Angelo Boles learn during the development of this project?

Angelo learned about the use of sensors and sensor fusion, understanding how combining data from multiple sensors can solve problems that single sensors cannot.

What is Angelo Boles' plan for future projects based on his experience with this project?

For future projects, Angelo plans to spend more time on research, start with small-scale tests, and experiment sooner to refine his approach.