Bluetooth-based Beacon technology for navigation in multi-story spaces: A case study of Pamukkale University Hospital

Abstract

People often have difficulty finding their way in large indoor such as shopping malls, hospitals, subways and parking lots. Since GNSS technology is insufficient in such indoors, the need for navigation is met with different technologies. One of these technologies is Bluetooth-based Beacon technology. In this study, an Android and iOS based mobile application was developed for Pamukkale University Hospital for navigation purposes using Beacon technology and it was published on mobile platforms and made available to people. In the study, a map of the hospital floors was created, and a Beacon network was established to determine the location of each floor. Floor maps of the hospital were obtained in ITRF datum and UTM projection. Beacons were grouped and placed on each floor according to the signal structure. The positioning of beacon devices was made according to the proximity algorithm at intervals varying between 7 and 12 meters, depending on the physical condition of the hospital. In practice, Dijkstra algorithm was chosen as the shortest path algorithm and navigation tests were carried out. 95% success was achieved in the navigation tests.