'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
Photo Navigation |
Photo Navigation
+ geofence module |
Blue Dot Navigation |
||
Navigation
interface |
Photo's |
Photo's |
Indoor Maps |
|
Turn by
turn navigation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Physically
Impaired mode |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Internet
connection required during navigation |
No |
Yes | Yes |
|
Dynamic
routing |
Yes |
Yes | Yes |
|
Mobile Application |
iOS and
Android |
iOS and
Android |
iOS and Android | |
Content Management
System |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Multi Language (UK, FR, DE, NL, SE, DK, NO, IT, SP) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Positioning |
||||
During
navigation, external positioning hardware / software is
required |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Actively
warn users when taking wrong directions |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Manual selecting starting point | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Automatic
Positioning |
At
key spots only |
At
80-90% of walking area |
At
100% of the walking area |
|
When
lost, position is detected by |
QR codes |
Hybrid
solution Beacons and QR codes |
Hybrid
solution of Beacons and IndoorAtlas |
|
Estimated
implementation time |
4
weeks / 100.000 m2 |
15
weeks / 100.000 m2 |
25
weeks / 100.000 m2 |
|
Price |
+++ |
++ |
+ |
|
System
Maintenance |
||||
Relocating
POI's |
+++ |
+++ |
++ |
|
Building
reconstruction |
+++ |
+ |
o |
|
Building
maintenance (elevator, aisles, etc) |
+++ |
+++ |
+++ |
|
Recommended
for: |
||||
Hospitals |
+++ |
+++ |
+ |
|
Universities |
+++ |
+++ |
+ |
|
Malls |
+++ |
+++ |
++ |
|
Airports |
+++ |
+++ |
++ |
|
Museums |
+++ |
+++ |
+ |
|
Retail |
+ |
+ |
++ |
|
Exhibitions
/ Trade Shows |
- |
- |
+++ |