New navi works underground

Written by Writer on Thursday, November 13th, 2008

New ‘navi’ works underground

NAGOYA (Kyodo) Aichi Steel Corp. said Tuesday it has developed the first navigation system employing a geomagnetic sensor that can provide location information and directions in underground malls and other complexes.

The system — comprising a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor and a microprocessor — can display current location and directions even in underground shopping malls where radio waves for the satellite-based Global Positioning System cannot be received.

Aichi Steel, based in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, said it is the first company to develop pedestrian navigation technology that can be used in underground and complexes.

The firm, part of the Toyota Motor Corp. group, has begun selling a module incorporating the two sensors and the microprocessor, as well as associated underground navigation software, to cell phone manufacturers, adding it wants cell phone makers to debut the feature next fall.

The module measures 4.2 mm by 6.2 mm by 1.1 mm. Its geomagnetic sensor, which acts as an electronic compass, detects direction and movement by analyzing the vector of geomagnetism and gravitational pull.

The pedestrian navigation system was developed by combining the two sensors, map software and technology to measure distance by counting the number of steps taken.

The sensors can also detect tilt and so can operate regardless of how a user is holding a cell phone.

The Japan Times
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008