Indoor positioning on iOS with Core Location - not

Question

Using the sample code provided from WWDC, I've been trying to write a simple proof-of-concept app that performs indoor positioning in my office building. I have a floor plan image and replaced the standard image in the demo code. I've also done the requisite mapping of GPS coordinates to pixels for the two anchor points.

When I run the app in the simulator and specify static GPS coordinates, I see the position updated as expected in the simulator. When I run it on my phone, however, the experience isn't nearly as seamless as Apple advertised in the video. On my iPhone 5s, the positioning is all over the place, and rarely anywhere close to accurate. Even sitting next to a window with a clear line-of-sight to the sky I still get very inaccurate results.

I would assume that this might have something to do with our physical layout, WiFi topology, or other such parameters. However, I also noticed that Apple has a portal where you can register your facility for use with indoor positioning. Does this have something to do with the poor results in my app? I can't imagine how Apple would be able to help with such a scenario, but thought it might have something to do with it.

Are there other steps I should take to increase the accuracy of my app? Is there a way to leverage iBeacons for improved positioning indoors? I haven't found any documentation indicating so, but thought maybe someone here would know.

Answer 1

Why don't you try with the indoor SDK which can be integrated in iOS applications. Also try to give the accuracy level appropriately when you use location framework API.

Answer 2

Indoor Positioning does not work well without addional devices like iBeacons.

There is no useable GPS receivement in buildings, the reflected signal is often far worse than 50m . GPS might work indoors if it is a single floor building with a thin roof, but this is usually not the case in indoor buildings.

The only thing that works well, is to buy some iBeacons and mount them at various locations in the office.
You have to manage the location of that beacons: they only send you an id, and (maybe?) the distance to that iBeacon. (Please check wheter you get distance to beacon)

But ios LocationService will not use that iBeacons.

So either use iBeacons or forget your project. There is no well working solution for indoor positioning. Some use magnetic fields, there is even an App for that, but this needs measuring your whole office in detail.

Answer 3

You're right, Apple has the portal available at https://mapsconnect.apple.com

At this portal you can add your venue and Apple will guide you on setting it up. However, your venue must have all of the following attributes:

• Accessible to the general public
• Annual visitors in excess of 1 million per year
• Availability of complete, accurate, and scaled reference maps
• Wi-Fi throughout the area
• Associated app that's authorized by venue owner

If your venue has all the required attributes, then you also will need to answer these questions about your usage:

1. How are you planning to use indoor positioning? (Ads, Navigation, Delivering content)
2. How many venues would you like to enable with indoor positioning?
3. What type of venue do you have? (Airport, Hospital, Museum, Mall, Office)
4. What type of floor plans do you have? (CAD, BIM, GeoJSON, AI, PDF, PNG, etc)
5. Are the venues equipped with Wi-Fi and/or iBeacon?
6. Name of the largest venue
7. Address of the largest venue

Once you have completed the entire form and jumped through the last hoop, you will be brought to a page that confirms the details. Once done, it's all in their hands and they will contact you.