Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS (Global Positioning System) is normally designed for outdoor navigation on Earth and does not work indoors due to the satellite signals required.
Also the accuracy is not suitable for narrow paths, e.g. through shelves in the supermarket.
With the help of signal repeaters, GPS can also be used indoors to some extent.
However, they usually do not work in areas where the signals are blocked by solid walls or roofs made of concrete, steel or similar materials.
GPS repeaters can also be affected in areas with strong electromagnetic interference, such as near power lines or strong electrical equipment.
Another disadvantage is that the specialized hardware and installation can be more costly than other indoor navigation methods.
Suitable uses include parks, campgrounds, zoos and similar predominantly outdoor locations.
QR codes
Indoor navigation using QR codes uses QR codes placed at fixed locations in the building to determine the user's position within the building. The user scans the QR code with a smartphone or other device that has a QR code scanner and then receives information about the position of the QR code and thus about his own position.
The advantages of indoor navigation using QR codes are:
- Easy to implement: QR codes can be easily placed in different locations in the building and do not require any special hardware or complex installations.
- Cost-Efficient: QR codes tend to be more cost-effective than other indoor navigation methods.
- No dependency on line of sight or electromagnetic interference: QR codes work independently of line of sight or electromagnetic interference.
Some disadvantages of indoor navigation using QR codes are:
- Precision: QR code based indoor navigation does not typically have the same precision as other methods such as Wifi based indoor navigation or Bluetooth based indoor navigation.
- Smartphone dependency: QR code-based indoor navigation requires the user to have a smartphone or other device with a QR code scanner.
- Limited scalability: QR code-based indoor navigation can be difficult in larger buildings or buildings with many floors or wings due to the need to place QR codes in many locations.
Bluetooth low energy (BLE)
Indoor navigation via Bluetooth uses Bluetooth beacons to determine the user's position within a building.
Beacons are small, battery-powered devices that periodically emit a signal that can be received by a smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device.
The signals contain information such as the beacon ID and signal strength, which are used by the application to determine the user's position and provide real-time navigation.
Advantages of indoor navigation via Bluetooth:
- High Accuracy: Indoor navigation via Bluetooth can achieve high accuracy of up to a few meters, making it ideal for applications such as museums, shopping malls and airports.
- Cost-effective: Bluetooth beacons are relatively cost-effective compared to other technologies such as WiFi-based systems or ultrasound.
- Easy to Deploy: Bluetooth beacons are easy to install and manage, making it easy to implement indoor navigation systems.
Disadvantages of indoor navigation via Bluetooth:
- Dependence on Bluetooth: Indoor navigation via Bluetooth only works if the user's device has Bluetooth enabled and is within range of a beacon.
- Battery Life: Bluetooth beacons require periodic battery replacement unless another power source is available. This causes additional costs and maintenance work.
Overall, indoor navigation via Bluetooth is a powerful technology that offers high accuracy and ease of implementation, but also raises dependencies and security concerns.
It is important to consider these factors when deciding on an indoor navigation system.
WLAN
Indoor navigation via WLAN uses WLAN access points to determine the user's position within a building.
WLAN access points regularly send out signals that can be received by a smartphone or other WLAN-enabled device.
The signals contain information such as the access point's MAC address and signal strength, which are used by the application to determine the user's position and offer real-time navigation.
Advantages of indoor navigation via WLAN:
- Availability: As WLAN is widespread, indoor navigation via WLAN is possible in many buildings.
- Automatic detection: In some cases, the user does not need to be connected to the WiFi network or have an app installed to be located by the router. In this way, the movements and dwell times of many users can be recorded.
Disadvantages of indoor navigation via WLAN:
- Accuracy: Indoor WiFi navigation may be less accurate than other technologies. A building's coverage may be incomplete due to interference from walls or other obstacles.
- Dependency on WiFi connection: Some indoor navigation via WiFi only works if the user's device is connected to the WiFi network.
- Privacy and Security Concerns: Indoor navigation via Wi-Fi may pose privacy and security issues as there may be no assurance that data transmitted will be treated confidentially.
Overall, indoor navigation via WiFi is a powerful technology that offers ease of implementation and availability, but also raises accuracy issues and privacy concerns.
It is important to consider these factors when deciding on an indoor navigation system.
Supersonic
Indoor navigation via ultrasound uses ultrasonic waves to determine the user's position within a building. This is achieved through the use of ultrasonic sensors capable of measuring the distance to reflective surfaces. This distance data is used by the navigation app to determine the user's real-time location.
Advantages of indoor navigation via ultrasound:
- High Accuracy: Ultrasonic indoor navigation can achieve very high accuracy because ultrasonic waves are less affected by obstacles than other technologies such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
- Independence from external signals: Indoor navigation via ultrasound is not dependent on external signals such as WLAN or Bluetooth, which increases availability and reliability.
- Cost-effective: Ultrasonic sensors are usually more cost-effective than other technologies such as WLAN-based systems or Bluetooth beacons.
Disadvantages of indoor navigation via ultrasound:
- Sensitivity: Ultrasonic waves can be affected by surface materials, which can affect accuracy.
- Sensitivity to noise: Indoor navigation via ultrasound can be affected when it is in buildings with a lot of noise or vibration.
- Hardware requirements: Indoor navigation via ultrasound requires special hardware in the form of ultrasonic sensors, which can potentially be difficult to implement and manage.
Overall, indoor navigation via ultrasound is an advanced technology that offers high accuracy and independence from external signals, but can also be sensitive to materials and noise, and requires special hardware.
It is important to consider these factors when deciding on an indoor navigation system.
Modulated light
Indoor navigation using modulated light is also known as Light Fidelity (LiFi).
The method uses light sources that emit modulated signals to determine the user's position within a building.
This is achieved through the use of light sources such as LED lights or projectors that are able to change light intensity and/or color depending on time or other factors.
A smartphone or other device with a light sensor can receive and decode these modulated signals to determine the user's position in real time.
Advantages of indoor navigation via modulated light:
- High accuracy: indoor navigation via modulated light can achieve very high accuracy because light waves can be measured very precisely.
- Independence from external signals: Indoor navigation via modulated light is not dependent on external signals such as WLAN, Bluetooth or ultrasound, which increases availability and reliability.
- Cost-effective: Indoor navigation via modulated light can be implemented using existing light sources and sensors, which can be cost-effective.
Disadvantages of indoor navigation via modulated light:
- Line of sight dependency: LiFi signals can only be received when the receiving device is in line of sight of the transmitting device. This can affect navigation in areas of the building where the view is blocked by walls, corners, or furniture.
- Sensitivity to Light Interference: LiFi signals can be disturbed by natural or artificial light, especially in areas of the building with a lot of daylight or strong artificial light sources.
- Limited range: LiFi signals typically have a shorter range than other indoor navigation methods such as Wifi or Bluetooth.
- High cost: LiFi-based indoor navigation systems usually require special hardware and can therefore be more expensive than other methods.