14 DAY TRIAL // We all wish, at times, we were able to find things more easily and way faster, don’t we? Of course, we already have such a device, called GPS, but it’s for outdoor use, which basically leaves all indoor areas “uncovered.”
Now, picture this: you are in a supermarket and, instead of having to walk six aisles to find that type of soda you really like, you can simply check your mobile, and find exactly where you are and where the can of soda is located. Doesn't it sound good? No more searching around, and just going straight to what you need. This is what indoor positioning will do for you.
If we understood well enough how the system would work, it would be something like this: you leave your car in the parking lot, take a picture of it, and then you're able to navigate your way back to it. However, this really poses some problems, one of them also being the fact that it is pretty hard to map an entire building. Then again, the answer might lay within the user community, it and its active involvement being essential in making the project successful. However, until now, the process has not been properly explained, so there is lots of room left for interpretation.
What is known is that Nokia apparently has 40 buildings worldwide set up with the trial system. Furthermore, word has it that it is currently operating a commercial trial with a mall in Helsinki, which might go live later this year, and give the Nokia guys the insight on how they could actually make this system into something really lucrative.
Considering the fact that we spend most of our time indoors, the idea of having an indoor positioning system doesn't sound all that bad, does it? All we have to do is to wait and see what happens in the near future. Who knows, this system might actually help you find those slippers that you misplaced long ago.