Development of a Novel Acoustic Indoor Positioning System

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Takemetuit (TMTI) is a Canadian company developing acoustic indoor positioning systems (IPS) for the retail industry that allow shoppers and employees to search, map and find specific products by an application on the user's cellphone or tablet. The technology exploits the known properties of acoustic wave propagation to enable a smartphone to determine its location within a controlled environment. Audible acoustic frequencies in the range of 200Hz to 20KHz are employed to allow the application to function effectively on a regular smartphone microphone without specialized hardware. A successful proof of concept for the system has been implemented in an NSERC Engage grant project in which SAIT participated with TMTI. The proposed research is focused on bringing the current state of the prototype system to the level of production prototype in which low level software routines are finalized and fitted into a hierarchical software structure to form a complete prototype user application. The project will be a critical step in TMTI's development of a leading IPS in Canada for retailers that will effectively improve employee productivity and reduce costs associated with inventory management. The IPS will also enhance shopping convenience for customers by helping them to easily find the items they seek.