New project opens the doors to indoor navigation10 February 2012The EU-funded 'i-GOing' project is designing, developing and demonstrating a precise indoor navigation service based on Galileo and advanced 'pseudolite' technologies.  Finding your way, inside. © Peter Gutierrez Location and navigation services based on current GNSS technologies, including GPS and EGNOS, are now widespread, across Europe and indeed around the world. But while such services are making huge inroads in terrestrial, maritime and aeronautical applications, indoor services, within important buildings such as airports, railway stations and shopping centres, remain limited. The problem is that today's GNSS signals not suitable for establishing indoor locations, as they are attenuated and scattered by roofs and walls. There are some indoor navigation services available, largely based on Wi-Fi triangulation. But despite technical improvements in Wi-Fi technologies, the accuracy of these solutions also remains imperfect, even with the deployment of heavy Wi-Fi infrastructure. Exploring the alternativesLed by Insiteo, a Toulouse-based start up and world leader indoor Wi-Fi-based navigation systems, the EU-funded 'i-GOing' project believes the recent launch of the first two operational European Galileo Satellites has opened the doors to a range of new potential answers. Organisers say the flexibility of the Galileo design will make it possible to considerably improve the use of indoor positioning using devices called 'pseudolites' (pseudo-satellites). Pseudolites are small transceivers that are used to create a local, ground-based GNSS alternative. Come insideIn practice, a user will locate him or herself while outdoors using GPS and Galileo signals, and then continue to receive accurate location signals in a seamless transition while moving into a building equipped with pseudolites. Better than one meter accuracy will boost new indoor applications allowing users, for instance, to reach departure gates more quickly and efficiently, reducing the significant cost consequences of the notorious 'lost passenger'. For businesses, in airports, train stations or shopping centres, it will mean commercial advertisements can be aimed at the 'right buyer' standing in front of the 'right shop'. Funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Research Framework Programme, i-GOing is the only project currently dealing with indoor positioning. Partners hope their work can help pioneer the extension of GNSS navigation into the indoor world, or anywhere that conventional GNSS signals can be blocked. More information: |