Indoor navigation is similar to its outdoor counterpart in a myriad of ways, but most importantly, both technologies are meant to aid in wayfinding. Since the buildings are becoming increasingly complex, it is quite easy to get lost, especially in an emergency. Indoor navigation technologies come with a vast array of benefits that include:
With the broad range of indoor navigation systems available, wayfinding will become easier for the blind. Blind people can install the GPS for indoors on the mobile phones and use these applications to transition from one room to another seamlessly. This system converts every barrier into a virtual wall while highlighting the openings with virtual beacons. With virtual beacons and the indoor positioning system, it is also possible to create easy routes from one room to another by adding some arrows that lead you from one point to another.With the onset of the modern outdoor and indoor navigation technologies, the visually impaired people can move easily and avoid the crowded areas since this system always provides alternative routes that are easy to maneuver. You can also get realistic maps of the amenities that you are looking for, especially in a restaurant. Just like the outdoor maps that highlight the key landmarks on the street, the indoor maps have plenty of attractions to offer, and by highlighting the main thoroughfares and corridors; it is quite easy to move around without getting lost.Indoor landmarks
When it comes to outdoor navigation, the best way to find your way is to identify the available landmarks. In the urban streets, there are plenty of ways to find your way by identifying with the local landmarks, streets, open spaces, and nodes. While the outdoor landmarks include intersections, fountains, parks, and sculptures, the indoor landmarks include shops, receptions, lobbies, halls, and bathrooms. With the onset of the modern GPS systems, it is possible to highlight these indoor landmarks in the maps to help in wayfinding.
How the blind can benefit from augmented reality
Surprisingly, it is possible to customize the indoor navigation software to your needs. For example, if you want to find a route that connects the rooms that you visit often, you can download several maps that highlight these areas. With the help of the augmented reality tools, you can also superimpose these images to create a single map. A map that presents your favorite zones in one image is also vital when it comes to providing alternative routes to the same destination.
Augmented reality is extremely beneficial in hospitals and airports or train terminals where the blind or disabled struggle to get from one point to another. Today, such maps are available in the form of braille for the sake of the visually impaired users.