Navigating unfamiliar environments can often be a daunting and challenging task for visitors. Whether it’s a bustling airport, museum, or shopping center, the need for effective and user-friendly navigation solutions is becoming increasingly acute. For this reason, many companies are turning to the implementation of new technologies and systems. One such solution is indoor navigation with Bluetooth®. Its implementation can improve indoor orientation, save visitors time finding necessary items, and significantly enhance customer loyalty.
Possible difficulties encountered by visitors when visiting unfamiliar buildings
The problem of indoor navigation is becoming increasingly relevant. Modern buildings are increasing in size, acquiring a complex structure that can only be navigated by employees and regular visitors. Standard navigation methods, such as signs and pointers, can be confusing for newcomers, hindering their ability to swiftly arrive at the desired location.
Visitors often have to wander through halls for a long time to find a room. The situation can be exacerbated by confusion due to large crowds, congestion, and bottlenecks in the corridors. This forces people to waste time, experience stress, and reduce loyalty to a particular company. Indoor navigation based on Bluetooth® Low Energy beacons solves these problems. The system is universally applicable and can be implemented on virtually any object.
What is Bluetooth® Low Energy-based Indoor Navigation
Indoor navigation with beacons relies on determining the location of objects. The primary tool, apart from the software, is the Bluetooth® LE beacon, which works by transmitting radio signals. At certain intervals, it emits pulses with identifiers captured by reading devices and transmitted for processing to the server.
Beacons are installed inside buildings or on moving objects. Special software processes sensors’ signals and delivers the processed information to users’ smartphones or tablets. The data is displayed on a digital map and allows solving a wide range of tasks:
- Real-time object location determination;
- Easier navigation inside buildings in complex conditions;
- Routing short paths to points of interest;
- Sending targeted recommendations or advertising messages to users based on their location;
- Gathering information about company operations to optimize business processes.
The popularity of indoor navigation systems using beacons continues to grow steadily each year. According to statistical data, the global indoor navigation market was $1.28 billion in 2019. By 2030, the average annual growth rate will be 33.1%, and the total volume by the end of the forecast period will reach $30.2 billion.
Looking specifically at the Bluetooth® Low Energy market, its share was $9,523 million in 2023. Experts believe that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 12.5% in the next decade, and by 2033, its volume will be estimated at $31,015.5 million.
The system’s popularity is explained by its high energy efficiency and the ability to build infrastructure based on available equipment. The accuracy of object location determination when using Bluetooth® LE is up to 1 meter. Bluetooth® beacon technology is characterized by ease of implementation, the possibility of arbitrary sensor configuration, and the operation and management of the system, which do not require special skills or knowledge.
Application Areas of the System
Bluetooth® Low Energy navigation finds its application in many industries. It is widely used in shopping centers, museums, offices, and transportation hubs.
Airports
The navigation system in airports helps passengers navigate within terminal premises. Visitors can quickly locate check-in counters and customs points and easily find cafes, shops, or public toilets. The administration can utilize the technology to advertise or provide helpful information. For example, the system can provide data on boarding times or flight delays.
Subways and Train Stations
Introducing a navigation system with Bluetooth® beacons improves passenger navigation in transportation hubs. By installing a smartphone mobile application for the railway station, one can quickly find ticket counters, waiting areas, and food outlets. The system allows purchasing train tickets online, enhancing travel experiences on suburban and long-distance trains.
If necessary, the technology can be an excellent solution for navigation issues at subway stations. With its help, one can:
- receive information about train movements;
- monitor staff movements;
- build routes for movement within stations;
- analyze passenger flows.
Museums
With the implementation of an indoor navigation system based on Bluetooth® Low Energy, exhibition halls and museums have the opportunity to enhance visitor experience. Traditional text and audio guides have long become outdated, and new technologies are emerging to create mobile guides based on visitors’ locations. Using Bluetooth® LE, it becomes easy to locate specific halls and exhibits, navigate through complex exhibition spaces, and access exciting information about museum objects.
This system provides companies with more opportunities to attract visitors. After implementation, it can serve as a powerful monitoring tool, allowing analysis of visitor behavior and making informed decisions to optimize internal space. Additionally, the technology enables targeted push notifications for visitors, which may include information about upcoming events, videos, or exhibit details.
Shopping Malls
Convenient indoor navigation ensures the smooth operation of shopping malls. With its implementation, it is possible to avoid the formation of crowds and simplify the search for stores, boutiques, or specific items. The system provides the following opportunities:
- Step-by-step routing to points of interest within the mall.
- Detailed analytics of shopper behavior to optimize object placement.
- Sending push notifications about discounts, sales, and bonus offers.
- Targeted advertising.
This technology improves service quality and coordinates work processes. It enhances user experience and efficiently addresses any issues related to mall operations.
Business Centers and Offices
Bluetooth® Low Energy system is a simple and in-demand tool for managing business processes in offices and business centers. It facilitates navigation in large buildings, assists in quickly reaching offices, and maps routes to conference rooms. The system significantly simplifies booking meeting rooms and automates everyday work operations. This technology boosts employee satisfaction and creates a comfortable atmosphere conducive to increased productivity.
In conclusion, indoor navigation using Bluetooth® Low Energy sensors is one of the most influential and cost-efficient ways to improve service quality. Beacons are affordable, easy to install, and maintain, making this technology accessible to almost any company. Integrating the system into enterprise infrastructure helps optimize work processes, increase user satisfaction, attract new clients, and notably boost revenue.
About the Author
Margarita Vlasova
Solution Delivery Manager
Margarita proactively develops and cultivates valuable partnerships with key players in the Indoor Positioning market. With a focus on building a strong partner ecosystem, she actively seeks out collaborative opportunities and joint projects with partners, be it ICT integrators or hardware vendors.
