IIT Madras Develops Real-Time Indoor Mapping Tech for Smarter Navigation

Researchers at IIT Madras have developed a real-time indoor mapping technology aimed at enabling smarter and more efficient indoor navigation.

IIT Madras Develops Real-Time Indoor Mapping Tech

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has developed a cutting-edge real-time indoor mapping solution capable of generating highly accurate maps in any lighting or environmental conditions, with minimal reliance on existing infrastructure. This breakthrough holds significant promise for first responders, particularly during disaster relief operations, where conventional navigation systems often fail due to damaged or inaccessible infrastructure.

UbiqMap by IIT Madras Researchers

Called ‘UbiqMap’, this lightweight technology uses Radio Tomographic Imaging (RTI) and wearable transceivers to create real-time indoor maps without relying on pre-installed infrastructure. As rescue personnel move, the system tracks their positions and dynamically updates the floor layout for accurate navigation.

UbiqMap has the potential to revolutionise public safety and disaster response with its affordable, portable design, making advanced indoor mapping accessible to a broad range of users. It seamlessly integrates with existing tools like cameras and can be paired with advanced SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) techniques to boost performance. By enabling real-time, infrastructure-free indoor mapping in challenging environments, UbiqMap enhances both the efficiency and safety of search and rescue operations.

This Research was led by Dr. Ayon Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras. The Research Team also included Amartya Basu, an MS Student, IIT Madras, and Kush Jajal (M.Tech Student, at IIT Madras). An Indian Patent has been filed for this technology by the IIT Madras Research Team.

Elaborating on this technology, Dr. Ayon Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “Public safety incidents, particularly search and rescue operations, are often hindered by lack of accurate and up-to-date indoor building plans. Even when maps are available, they typically fail to capture real-time dynamics essential for effective mission planning during disasters. Our technology offers first responders a robust and portable tool to image indoor environments without dependence on visual line of sight or extensive computational resources, making it an invaluable asset in complex, time-critical scenarios.”

Throwing light on the current status of this technology and a tentative timeline for field implementation, Dr. Ayon Chakraborty said, “We have successfully tested the technology in a controlled setup within a few residential units at IITM campus. These trials allowed us to validate the system’s functionality, though the movement and localization of the transceivers were carefully managed during the tests. Additionally, we are integrating UbiqMap with visual modalities using sensor fusion. Currently, we are in the process of prototyping a wearable version of the technology to prepare for field trials in real-world scenarios.”

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