An Indoor Navigation Methodology for Mobile Devices by Integrating Augmented Reality and Semantic Web

Abstract

Indoor navigation systems incorporating augmented reality allow users to locate places within buildings and acquire more knowledge about their environment. However, although diverse works have been introduced with varied technologies, infrastructure, and functionalities, a standardization of the procedures for elaborating these systems has not been reached. Moreover, while systems usually handle contextual information of places in proprietary formats, a platform-independent model is desirable, which would encourage its access, updating, and management. This paper proposes a methodology for developing indoor navigation systems based on the integration of Augmented Reality and Semantic Web technologies to present navigation instructions and contextual information about the environment. It comprises four modules to define a spatial model, data management (supported by an ontology), positioning and navigation, and content visualization. A mobile application system was developed for testing the proposal in academic environments, modeling the structure, routes, and places of two buildings from independent institutions. The experiments cover distinct navigation tasks by participants in both scenarios, recording data such as navigation time, position tracking, system functionality, feedback (answering a survey), and a navigation comparison when the system is not used. The results demonstrate the system’s feasibility, where the participants show a positive interest in its functionalities.

A semantic web technology index

“…The two studies with a score of 10 are released in 2007 and 2020. The one 59 with a score of 3 is published in 2021. Therefore, the design of the studies in SW technology relies on the experience and preferences of different researchers regardless of when the studies are finished.…”

Indoor Navigation Application in Shopping Mall Based on Augmented Reality (AR)

“…According to the review of literatures and research related to the use of AR, it was found that AR is currently used in several aspects, i.e., navigation application development [18], [19] [20], [21], [22] for tourism [23], [24], education or learning [25], marketing [26], [10], product presentation, and product search [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]. The details of the review of related literatures and research are as follows.…”

A Web-Based Augmented Reality System

“…Web-based AR can help users navigate strange places [2,10,11]. Web AR overlays can offer visual directions, highlight points of interest, or display more information about the surroundings by utilising a mobile device's camera and GPS capabilities [1,12].…”