“Deep Location” App Provides Indoor Location Services
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As part of a pilot program introduced by the United States Department of Homeland Security, a London based application is making its way to airports in Washington D.C.. The app is the latest navigation platform developed to direct people around airports.
Known as Pointr, the London based deep location application has already had a successful launch at London’s King’s Cross Station, Harrods, and Gatwick Airport. Now the app is crossing the pond over to the United States. Pointr has been awarded a six figure contract by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to provide indoor GPS location capabilities for Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) Airport and Washington Dulles International (IAD) Airport.
The application allows access for indoor GPS location services by utilizing deep location services. GPS works great for navigating outdoors, however GPS loses a lot of its accuracy when used indoors, Pointr’s deep location technology helps combat this loss.
The Pointr Deep Location platform provides users with indoor location based services for facilities such as airports. The platform gives users services such as maps of the facility, navigation routes throughout the facility, and location based marketing and analytics.
The application will also provide users with directions to their gate and a map showing restrooms, restaurants, and stores in the area. At Gatwick Airport, Pointr has installed about 2,000 beacons that improve the location services indoors, giving users a more accurate map and location capabilities.
Businesstravelerusa.com mentions that Pointr’s ultimate goal is to develop augmented reality wayfinding, which would help users navigate and view the map through their smartphone’s camera.
Its is likely that soon enough airports will begin to integrate their own versions of Pointr to help improve airport efficiency. Similar apps may one day be able to let travelers know if the airport is overcrowded and if there is a chance that they may risk running late to their flight, or give airport retailers extra tools to market their stores and bring in more customers. Such apps may even one day be integrated towards other facilities too, such as hospitals, shopping malls, or stadiums.
