Indoor positioning on iOS with Core Location - not accurate?

Question

Using the sample code provided from WWDC, I've been trying to write a simple proof-of-concept app that performs indoor positioning in my office building. I have a floor plan image and replaced the standard image in the demo code. I've also done the requisite mapping of GPS coordinates to pixels for the two anchor points.

When I run the app in the simulator and specify static GPS coordinates, I see the position updated as expected in the simulator. When I run it on my phone, however, the experience isn't nearly as seamless as Apple advertised in the video. On my iPhone 5s, the positioning is all over the place, and rarely anywhere close to accurate. Even sitting next to a window with a clear line-of-sight to the sky I still get very inaccurate results.

I would assume that this might have something to do with our physical layout, WiFi topology, or other such parameters. However, I also noticed that Apple has a portal where you can register your facility for use with indoor positioning. Does this have something to do with the poor results in my app? I can't imagine how Apple would be able to help with such a scenario, but thought it might have something to do with it.

Are there other steps I should take to increase the accuracy of my app? Is there a way to leverage iBeacons for improved positioning indoors? I haven't found any documentation indicating so, but thought maybe someone here would know.

Answer 1

You're right, Apple has the portal available at https://mapsconnect.apple.com

At this portal you can add your venue and Apple will guide you on setting it up. However, your venue must have all of the following attributes:

• Accessible to the general public
• Annual visitors in excess of 1 million per year
• Availability of complete, accurate, and scaled reference maps
• Wi-Fi throughout the area
• Associated app that's authorized by venue owner

If your venue has all the required attributes, then you also will need to answer these questions about your usage:

1. How are you planning to use indoor positioning? (Ads, Navigation, Delivering content)
2. How many venues would you like to enable with indoor positioning?
3. What type of venue do you have? (Airport, Hospital, Museum, Mall, Office)
4. What type of floor plans do you have? (CAD, BIM, GeoJSON, AI, PDF, PNG, etc)
5. Are the venues equipped with Wi-Fi and/or iBeacon?
6. Name of the largest venue
7. Address of the largest venue

Once you have completed the entire form and jumped through the last hoop, you will be brought to a page that confirms the details. Once done, it's all in their hands and they will contact you.