There would be issues in places like hospitals, where cell phone RF
emissions could effect electronic equipment used for diagnosis and
treatment. And, as has already been said, the building construction
itself would effectively block access to the cell network.  This means
that any map data would need to be stored on the phone itself, rather
than having the phone access the data on a server that would have to be
accessed via the cell network.

Andy


-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ana G
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 2:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] navatar, another way to find your way indoors!

I agree that indoor navigation is as potentially useful for sighted
people as for the blind. I've been in lots of large facilities--like
airports, hospitals, college campuses, shopping centers, even office
buildings and apartment complexes--with sighted people, and they're as
lost and confused as I am, so I have no doubt many would be happy to
have a cell phone app that guides them to their destinations.

I wouldn't mind if the app didn't include a map of my building as long
as I could program my own location. This would make learning a new place
easier since I could add each new destination as I went.

Based on my experience with cell phones in general, however, I think the
real problem with this concept is that cell signals are often unreliable
indoors. My job involves going to lots of different places, and I often
send or receive calls or use other features/apps while I'm wherever I
am. I notice that I have lots of problems with the phone if I'm too
close to electronic equipment or if there's just a lot of wiring around.

Even things like photocopiers and cash registers can seriously get in
the way. Also, sometimes I have problems if walls are too thick or thin
or if I'm in the bend of a hallway within another bend of a hallway,
etc. I suspect an app like this will work better in some places than
others, and I suspect it'll work least well in the places we'd want it
to work the most.


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