Does Google Maps Have Indoor Navigation?
Google Maps is a navigation platform that assists millions of users with their city and neighborhood route-finding needs. Now, consider the challenge of navigating a large healthcare facility. This is where indoor navigation becomes essential.
While some believe Google Maps offers complete indoor mapping features like its outdoor navigation, its capabilities for precise indoor route directions and navigating complex indoor spaces are limited.
What Exactly is Indoor Navigation?
Indoor navigation technology allows users to explore indoor spaces much like using GPS outdoors. Instead of relying on satellite signals, which can be weak or unavailable indoors, this
technology uses:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth beacons
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signals
- QR codes and RFID technology
- Augmented reality (AR) guidance
The mentioned technologies offer users real-time location tracking, making exploring complicated indoor areas such as hospitals easier.
Does Google Maps Have Indoor Navigation?
Google Maps provides indoor mapping solutions primarily for big public facilities such as hospitals and large buildings. These features include:
- Selected major sites within Google Maps provide users with indoor layouts through floor plans.
- Point-of-Interest Markers enable users to find stores, restaurants, and facilities within mapped buildings.
- Users can obtain brief navigation assistance through Google Maps inside mapped areas.
The features provided by Google Maps offer a generic indoor spatial representation, yet do not meet indoor navigation and direction delivery requirements, which are critical for hospitals.
Limitations of Google Maps for Indoor Navigation
Despite its widespread use, Google Maps has several limitations when it comes to indoor
wayfinding,
Lack of Real-time Positioning
- Google Maps does not track the user’s exact indoor location in real-time because GPS
does not work indoors. - Turn-by-turn directions are not provided
Limited Indoor Coverage
- The application provides indoor map functionality in specific designated areas.
- Several healthcare centers and large buildings are excluded from this platform.
No Customization for Specific Needs
- The level of customization that businesses and organizations can achieve through
Google Maps is restricted to their operational facilities. - The system also lacks the functionality to incorporate advanced features, including
accessibility routes, staff-only areas, and real-time updates.
No Seamless Transition Between Floors
- The multi-floor navigation system fails to work efficiently.
- Users need to perform floor changes manually.
Businesses and facilities that need precise indoor navigation must choose either a hospital wayfinding app developed or dedicated indoor positioning systems.
What are the Challenges of Navigating Hospitals?
Hospitals are among the most complex buildings to navigate. Patients, visitors, and staff often struggle to find the correct department, room, or facility. Challenges include:
- Multiple floors and departments
- Frequent layout changes
- Patients getting to their appointments on time
- Accessibility needs for disabled or elderly patients
A hospital wayfinding app addresses these issues by providing real-time navigation, turn-by- turn directions, and customized routes for patients, visitors, and staff.
What are the Benefits of a Hospital Wayfinding App?
Real-Time Indoor Navigation
- Tracks user positions through beacons, Wi-Fi, and UWB devices.
- Generates precise step-by-step directions for any department followed by room
destinations with service accessibility.
Multi-Floor and Accessibility Routing
- Provides automatic routing that directs users to use elevators, ramps, and other
accessibility-friendly navigation routes. - Seamless transition between floors.
Customization
- Admin can access the content management system to update and change maps.
- Admin determines which map content and routes are accessible to the public.
Enhanced Patient and Visitor Experience
- Guides patients and visitors to the correct parking location and entrance.
- Integrates with the health system’s EMR to direct patients to appointments.
Implementing indoor navigation technology enables hospitals to enhance visitor satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Choosing the Right Indoor Navigation Solution
While Google Maps provides some indoor mapping features, it lacks the accuracy and real-time functionality required for accurate indoor navigation. A specialized hospital wayfinding app is essential for hospitals and other extensive facilities to provide seamless indoor navigation and an improved visitor experience.
Cartogram has you covered if your business or facility needs an accurate and efficient indoor mapping feature. Our advanced MyChart Wayfinding and custom indoor mapping facility provides real-time positioning, turn-by-turn guidance, and seamless integration with your existing systems.
Don’t settle for a limited indoor mapping experience with the power of precise navigation with Cartogram. Contact us today and learn how our technology can transform how people navigate your space.
FAQ’s
Does Google Maps have indoor maps?
Google Maps offers limited indoor site layouts of large buildings. However, it does not offer real-time positioning or turn-by-turn directions inside buildings, which is essential for facilities like hospitals.
Can I use Google Maps as a hospital wayfinding app?
Google Maps functions differently from what hospitals need for efficient routing inside their facilities. Hospital layouts exist in Google Maps, but they do not offer complete route options and fail to provide accessibility-enhanced paths and live location services that hospitals demand.
How does a hospital wayfinding app improve patient experience?
A hospital wayfinding app helps patients and visitors easily locate departments, doctors’ offices, and emergency rooms without confusion. It also integrates with appointment scheduling and accessibility features to improve hospital efficiency and patient satisfaction.
What is the best alternative to Google Maps for indoor navigation?
Specialized indoor navigation solutions like Cartogram provide users with real-time positioning, customizable routing features, and full integration with facility systems. The platform represents a specialized solution designed specifically for indoor areas of hospitals and large buildings. Visit Cartogram to learn more!
