Indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) is a system that consists of network of devices, which helps in locating people and objects inside a building by using wireless communication. This system is generally used in finding places in multistorey buildings, alleys, parking garages, airports, hospitals, and underground locations. Indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) system is configured with sensors, magnetic positioning, Wi-Fi, ultra-wideband, and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology to track users precisely in indoor environment. Indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) has various applications such as location analytics, mapping, navigation, asset tracking, wayfinding, and other solutions.

Limitation of GPS system in tracking indoor environment is one of the major factors driving the Indoor Positioning and Indoor Navigation (IPIN) Market growth

GPS and other satellite technologies does not function properly or lack precision to locate position inside multistorey buildings, airports, parking garages, museums, and underground locations. This is one of the primary factors that increase demand for indoor positioning and indoor navigation system, and in turn, drives growth of the market. Indoor positioning systems use different technologies such as WiFi / LiFi access points, Bluetooth beacons, magnetic positioning, Ultra-wideband beacons, and dead reckoning, which offers position accuracy of around 2cm. These technologies help to actively locate tags and mobile devices to get sensed. For instance, in 2019, Racelogic announced the launch of a brand-new indoor positioning system, VIPS. VIPS is an advanced system, which helps in measuring real-time 3D position with an accuracy of ±2cm in areas where GPS is not available, making it an ideal tool for construction applications both indoors and in urban areas. However, operational challenges in the indoor environment and issues with the capital expenditure are expected to hamper the global Indoor Positioning and Indoor Navigation (IPIN) Market growth during the forecast period.

Global Indoor Positioning and Indoor Navigation (IPIN) Market: Regional Insights

On the basis of region, the global indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. North America accounted for the largest market share in the global indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) market in 2018 in terms of revenue and is expected to retain its dominance over the forecast period. The market growth in this region is due to increasing adoption of advanced wireless connectivity technologies such as 3D-based indoor positioning system across various industry verticals such as retail, airports, energy, healthcare, and utilities among others. Furthermore, the presence of leading players such as Apple Incorporation, Google, Microsoft, and Qualcomm in North America is driving the market growth. For instance, in 2019, Apple Incorporation, an American multinational technology company, launched a whole new feature for indoor navigation services. Apple’s indoor mapping service is available in 279 major cities across the globe, mainly in the U.S., the U.K., Spain, and Australia. Apple launched its indoor navigation system for all its iPhone users in 2017.

Furthermore, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in the market over the forecast period, owing to increasing penetration of smartphones across emerging economies such as China and India. For instance, according to a report from GSMA intelligence, in 2018, smartphone penetration in China was 58% and in India, it was 27.7%.

Global Indoor Positioning and Indoor Navigation (IPIN) Market: Competitive Background

Some of the major players operating in the global indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) market include Apple Incorporation, HERE Technologies, IndoorAtlas, Cisco Systems Inc., Broadcom, Ericsson, Microsoft, Qualcomm-Atheros, Google Inc., Motorola Solution Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Nokia Corporation, Stmicroelectronics, Siemens, Aisle, Nowon Technologies Pvt Ltd., Spirent Communications PLC, Senion AB, Sensewhere, SPREO, Nextome, Steerpath, indoo.rs, Pointr, AirFinder, and Insiteo among others.

Key players are focusing on adoption of inorganic growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, in order to expand their market presence and geographical reach. For instance, in 2018, Here Technologies, a mapping company, which was valued at around US$ 3 billion, acquired Micello, which operates a platform for creating, editing, and publishing indoor maps. This acquisition helped HERE Technologies to provide advanced location services and world-class mapping of both indoors and outdoors to its clients.

Global Indoor Positioning and Indoor Navigation (IPIN) Market: Taxonomy

On the basis of technology, the global indoor positioning and indoor navigation (IPIN) market is segmented into: