Beyond Bluetooth: The Next Frontier of Indoor Navigation

In the realm of indoor navigation systems and location technology, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons have garnered immense popularity. Countless articles on the internet extol the virtues of BLE beacon technology, positioning it as the frontrunner in a rapidly advancing sector. According to a 2021 report published on Globe Newswire, the sales of beacons, which serve as the foundation of Bluetooth indoor positioning systems, are projected to experience a substantial growth rate of 26.8%, culminating in a staggering $15.5 billion in revenue by 2025.

However, amidst this prevailing admiration, it is crucial to examine whether Bluetooth wayfinding technology truly lives up to its reputation. Is it truly as exceptional as it is widely portrayed?

In this Blog Post We’ll Examine:

• The underlying principles of beacon technology and its role in indoor navigation.
• The vast potential offered by Bluetooth positioning systems.
• The obstacles faced by BLE beacons, including both iBeacon and Eddystone technologies.
• A groundbreaking solution to these challenges presented by Mapsted’s pioneering advancements.

Bluetooth Indoor Positioning: Fundamentals, Possibilities, And Shortcomings

Bluetooth stands as one of the pioneering technologies that have revolutionized the wireless landscape, ushering in a myriad of possibilities. Individuals now effortlessly navigate, interact, and wirelessly initiate actions on smart devices powered by Bluetooth. While it is tempting to view Bluetooth solely as a means of augmenting the capabilities of wireless technologies and gadgets, it is not without its own set of challenges.

Ensuring the presence of reliable hardware, chipsets, power sources, and grappling with issues such as installation and signal interference are crucial considerations. Notably, a persistent issue with Bluetooth lies in the intricacies of establishing a functional system that operates seamlessly with Bluetooth technology. Particularly in the realm of navigation, integrating Bluetooth with GPS systems poses notable challenges in providing accurate positioning in indoor environments, as the interplay between these technologies can significantly impact accuracy.

The Transition from Outdoor to Indoor Positioning

In recent years, advancements in GPS technology have brought about radical changes in the field of wayfinding. Our navigation habits, whether it involves driving or walking, have experienced a transformative paradigm shift. The catalyst for this change can be traced back to mobile phones, which has paved the way for further developments. Notably, there is a visible shift in focus from outdoor navigation to indoor navigation, leading to the demand for indoor positioning systems that work flawlessly on mobile phones, powered by onboard geospatial sensor data.

Indoor positioning systems (IPS) represent a cutting-edge technology that enables precise localization within enclosed spaces where traditional GPS signals and Bluetooth are limited. These spaces encompass a wide range of environments, including stores, hospital wards, trade show booths, factory floors with mobile machinery and even individuals. Essentially, anything that individuals, businesses or organizations seek to locate and track within an indoor setting becomes the focal point of spatial intelligence technology today.

Today, in the indoor location technology market, various localization methods exist, with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons standing as the most recognized approach. These beacons can be classified into two categories: iBeacon, a proprietary technology pioneered by Apple, and Eddystone, an open-source protocol developed by Google. While they may vary in certain functional aspects, their overarching impact remains largely comparable.

Bluetooth Indoor Navigation: Fundamentals & Possibilities

Bluetooth indoor navigation comprises a network of transmitters, commonly referred to as beacons, strategically positioned within an interior space. Analogous to lighthouses guiding ships at sea, these beacons emit signals that serve as navigational cues. The signal transmission of a Bluetooth beacon is unidirectional, akin to a concise message proclaiming its presence: “Hey, I’m here!”

Nearby devices, primarily smartphones, receive these beacon transmissions, deciphering a brief packet of information similar to the beacon’s identifier. No device-to-device connection is established; rather, the signal is observed like a beam of light spanning across the sea, where the source of the signal is noted, concluding the interaction.

Upon reception, the incoming transmission triggers a predefined event, effortlessly customizable based on the specific location and purpose. The applications for such technology span a wide spectrum, encompassing settings such as malls, museums, trade shows, or train stations. For instance, these events could range from offering directions to a train platform through a downloaded application, to receiving notifications on your mobile device regarding special lunch offers in the mall’s food court.

Indoor wayfinding represents a remarkable technological advancement that empowers commuters, consumers, and visitors to optimize their time and enhance their experiences within various venues. This innovation provides a multitude of opportunities for the owners and administrators of these establishments, enabling them to achieve business growth and improve facility management. The potential benefits encompass a broad spectrum, including heightened sales figures and the enhancement of interior spaces for the well-being and satisfaction of all stakeholders involved.

Shortcomings of Bluetooth-Based Location Technology: The ABCs

Although beacon systems offer extensive possibilities and numerous advantages, it is essential to acknowledge their inherent limitations. Specifically, when addressing scenarios necessitating precise and real-time indoor localization, certain drawbacks become evident. These limitations predominantly revolve around aspects such as accuracy, battery life, and cost.

A – Accuracy

The signal emitted by a beacon operates on a radio frequency, subject to the same interferences encountered by any radio frequency. Various factors such as metal, concrete, water (which is predominantly present in human bodies), as well as materials like wood and plastic to a lesser extent, can obstruct the signal. Additionally, electrical noise originating from other equipment can also impede the transmission.

In the context of indoor navigation, the radio signal emitted by beacons does not serve the purpose of delivering music or entertainment. Instead, it functions as a measuring tool to determine the position of the recipient, employing signal strength as the measuring metric known as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

Since the calculation of position relies on signal strength, any obstruction or blockage of the signal can lead to inaccuracies in the calculation. Consequently, technology aids are required to enhance the accuracy of position determination when dealing with beacon data.

B – Battery Life

While Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons are renowned for their energy efficiency, it is important to note that these transmitters typically operate on batteries, which eventually deplete over time. Depending on factors such as signal power and transmission frequency, maintenance may be required every few years, ultimately becoming an obligatory task.

Certain beacon models possess the capability to transmit battery life status, alleviating the need for laborious inspection of individual units. However, the reality remains that battery replacement entails a significant investment of time and effort. When considering the cost of the coin batteries themselves, multiplied by the potentially large number of units involved, the expenses associated with beacon battery replacement can accumulate substantially.

On the other hand, as battery life diminishes, the beacon’s signal strength also weakens over time. Similar to the aging process experienced by humans, this gradual decline in signal strength can pose challenges for the optimal functioning of sophisticated software relying on accurate data inputs.

C – Cost

Depending on what objective you have for an indoor positioning system, beacons may or may not be an economical solution. Where precision is paramount or interiors immense, beacons can be expensive to set up and scale.

For example, when full coverage is necessary – for purposes such as accurate wayfinding inside a university campus, hospital, or airport – you’d likely need 1-5 beacons per square meter (approximately every 10 sq ft). Using an average bulk purchase cost of $10-$15 per unit, one sees that the cost can mount up pretty quickly.

In a retail setting, if your aim is proximity marketing (precisely identifying a customer’s location in order to send them a personalized marketing message, such as special offers or sales) the number of beacons needed and relative cost would be the same.

Mapsted Resolves The Challenges of Bluetooth Indoor Positioning: Easy as 1-2-3

Accuracy & Scalability

The issue of beacon inaccuracy is no longer an issue with Mapsted’s proprietary technology.

Our ever-evolving algorithm is a unique composite of elements that result in the precise pinpointing of a person’s location in any indoor space, accurate to within 1-3 meters (3-10 feet). It works in any environment and maintains precision when scaled.

To get a feel for our innovations, check out our current and pending patents.

Cost-Effectiveness & Straightforward Pricing

• With Mapsted, no external equipment is necessary. No beacons, no WIFI.
• The client software is cloud-based and multi-tenant, which reduces costs because all users access the same interface through the Internet.
• Instead of traditional licensing, the service is subscription-based, eliminating software fees.
• Our pricing is scaled according to square footage and the bands are quite wide, so you can grow to a certain degree while keeping costs the same.
• Get all the details about pricing.

A Complete, Easy-to-Manage Solution

• Continually updated technology: Cutting-edge advantage.
• Seamless, automatically-integrated software revisions: One less thing to keep up with.

The global indoor positioning market is experiencing a remarkable surge, positioning itself for extraordinary growth in the coming years. An abstract published on IEEE.org suggests that the industry is projected to reach a substantial valuation of $41 billion by the year 2022.

This promising momentum has sparked the emergence of numerous technologies, each aiming to overcome the challenges associated with Bluetooth beacon systems, as discussed earlier. In this landscape, Mapsted stands as a pioneering force, leveraging innovative sensor fusion technology to address the limitations prevalent in popular positioning systems. As a world leader in indoor mapping and navigation technology, we have developed a hardware-free and hassle-free solution that sets us apart in the industry.

To see if Mapsted is the right fit for your business or venue, please contact us.

If you found the content engaging, you may also find interest in exploring our article on Creating a Holistic Airport Customer Experience that Surpasses User Expectations.” Furthermore, we offer an informative video highlighting How To Increase Customer Engagement With Mapsted Geofencing Technology.