The Wayfinding 2.0 approach

The Wayfinding 2.0 application uses a sensor network (RFID-NFC communication) to provide a highly personal and dynamic campus navigation system. Users are guided from a point A to point B via a grid of nodes that contain dynamic visual queues (computer screens). Even if a user chooses an alternative route, the system will adapt and guide the user to the right destination.

We will test the sensor-based navigation approach in 2 configurations:

• The active sensors are embedded in the trajectory. In this scenario the user is provided with a passive tag. Whenever a user approaches an active node, the user will be shown the right contextual-information to reach the end-point.
• The user is equipped with an active sensor. Each user has a smartphone (with RFID/NFC reader). Throughout the trajectory nodes are equipped with a passive tag. When a user holds her phone near to a passive tag, the information to get to the next node is displayed on the user's smartphone's screen.

node kiezen

What is Wayfinding 2.0?

Wayfinding 2.0 is a sensor-based navigation experiment on the VUB-campus. It uses active nodes on the campus consisting of displays + RFID readers attached. People navigate the campus equipped with a passive RFID tag. Each node provides a visual queue & info on how to get to the next node. Dynamic trails (indoor-outdoor) can be created with minimal configuration effort.

Why sensor-based navigation?

In an indoor setting or in situations where a higher precision is required GPS based-navigation is not adequate. Hence navigation based on RFID tag-detection.

Partnership

The application uses the ALU Touchatag RFID solution for the demonstrator. A more intensive partnership relationship between Touchatag and the VUB Campus is currently being considered.