Students bring GPS-free indoor navigation to life

AI, augmented reality-powered app guides users to offices, rooms without internet or GPS

KARACHI:

A group of students from Institute of Business Management (IoBM) has developed an innovative augmented reality-based application that could transform the way people navigate inside large buildings, offering step-by-step guidance without relying on internet connectivity or GPS signals.

The app, named "PathVerse AR," was showcased at IoBM's annual technology event "TechNova," where students from more than 35 universities presented over 45 projects highlighting creativity, innovation and practical problem-solving skills.

Designed to address the challenges of indoor navigation, the application guides users from their current location to a selected destination - such as an office, classroom or department - by using augmented reality directions that lead them directly to the required door.

The app uses an offline mapping system to provide the shortest possible route without requiring internet or GPS. If a user takes a wrong turn, it automatically suggests a new route to reach the destination.

The application also provides information about departments, offices and other locations within a building, allowing users to select their desired destination before beginning navigation.

Students said they plan to expand the project's scope beyond universities and introduce it in hospitals, shopping malls, government offices and other large buildings. They added that the technology could prove particularly useful for people with disabilities who often face challenges navigating unfamiliar places.

The students said the project's main objectives are to reduce dependence on GPS for indoor navigation, save time for visitors and students, replace traditional maps and QR-based guidance systems, and make movement inside large buildings faster and more efficient.