'Blue Dot' Navigation, when photo navigation is no option

Why 'Blue Dot' Navigation?

Research acknowledges that Photo Landmark Navigation is the best option for any venue. In some occasions it is impossible to use Photo Landmark Navigation. Exhibitions and trade shows usually have a non-permanent set-up. Initial setups are mostly finished just a couple of hours before opening, which leaves hardly any time to build a photo landmark navigation system. Besides that, setups change in a visual sense very frequently and dramatically, which challenges the maintenance of the photo landmark navigation system.

For non permanent setups, we offer Blue Dot Navigation, only when the floor plan structure is simple. For example grid shaped floor plans offer a basic spatial level of orientation and together with the simplicity of the UI, visitors of exhibitions and trade shows manage to find their ways easily using Blue-Dot Navigation.

'Blue Dot' Navigation for non-complex indoors

There are also single floor venues, venues with a grid shaped floor plan, simple private outdoor terrains, etc. These venues or terrains will not necessarily need photo landmark navigation. Buildings with grid shaped floor plans like exhibitions, trade shows, etc, offer the user a basic level of spatial orientation. Map based mobile wayfinding using blue-dot navigation has proven to be a good interface in such environments.

For non-complex environments like trade shows or exhibitions, Eyedog offers 'Blue-Dot Indoor Navigation" using indoor maps as an interface. The fact that research acknowledges that many people have troubles interpreting maps for wayfinding purposes, it does not mean that blue-dot navigation can not add value to certain wayfinding cases.

'Blue Dot' Navigation and Indoor Positioning

During navigation, the user's position is monitored continuously and plotted (the "blue-dot") on the phone screen of the user.

Indoor positioning is achieved by installing additional external hardware or software for that specific venue. Eyedog does not provide indoor positioning systems but works with partners offering indoor positioning. Clients can either choose to install beacons or to install IndoorAtlas, an ambient magnetic field-based indoor location technology. We are able to dynamically locate the user in the building when he is lost. The technology relies on BTLE beacons to locate the visitor at entrances and the magnetic positioning system once they start moving. Indoor positioning using magnetic fields, is reliable, easy to implement, cost-effective and easy to maintain, in contrast to BTLE Beacons or Wifi stations.

Platform

Eyedog Blue Dot Navigation is available for Android and iOS.

Eyedog Indoor Navigation versions compared