Tech
Indoor GPS Location Tracking Using AI-IMU
Sep 3, 2025
Simple Indoor Location Tracking with a Smartphone, AI-IMU
What is AI-IMU?
AI-IMU (Artificial Intelligence–Inertial Measurement Unit) is a next-generation location tracking solution that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional inertial measurement unit (IMU) technology. This system uses data from sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers that are already built into smartphones. The AI analyzes this data to determine the user’s exact location and movement path. A major feature of this technology is its ability to provide accurate indoor location tracking without requiring any additional hardware or infrastructure.
Due to these advantages, AI-IMU technology is being used across various industries. Applications include worker safety management in manufacturing, operational optimization in logistics centers, tracking movement of medical staff in hospitals, and safety monitoring at construction sites.
Indoor GPS Using Just a Smartphone
In indoor environments where GPS signals are blocked, location tracking using AI-IMU is receiving attention as a reliable solution. Sensors already embedded in a user’s smartphone allow the system to determine their position inside buildings, creating an experience similar to using GPS indoors.
AI-IMU does not require any extra infrastructure, can be used immediately with just a smartphone, and consumes very little power. The approach is simple and practical for indoor positioning.
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Understanding IMU Sensor Technology
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) is a sensor system that detects an object’s movement and orientation. The accelerometer senses activities such as walking, running, and climbing or descending stairs to identify changes in direction and speed. The gyroscope tracks changes in direction and rotation with precision.
IMU Key Components
Accelerometer: Detects linear acceleration along the X, Y, and Z axes
Gyroscope: Measures angular velocity to detect rotational movement
Magnetometer: Uses the Earth’s magnetic field to measure direction
IMU-based location tracking uses a method called ‘Dead Reckoning.’ This method begins from an initial position and calculates the current location by integrating sensor data. However, IMU data includes errors caused by sensor noise, bias, and temperature changes. These small errors accumulate over time, leading to drift, which reduces the accuracy of position estimates.
Sensor errors of less than 1% can lead to location errors of several tens of meters after one hour. For this reason, indoor location tracking technology that depends only on IMU data has difficulty achieving meter-level accuracy.
AI and IMU Fusion Technology
AI plays a key role in addressing the limitations of analyzing IMU data alone. The technology improves sensor fusion in the following ways:
Pattern Learning: Learns the user’s walking patterns and movement characteristics to predict location more accurately
Error Correction: Compares past data with current sensor values to correct system-level errors in real time
Environmental Adaptation: Learns sensor behavior in different indoor environments to respond to changes in surroundings
Currently available AI-IMU technology provides indoor location accuracy within 1 to 5 meters. This level of precision meets the requirements of most indoor location-based services and shows even higher accuracy in pedestrian tracking. Depending on the environment, sub-meter accuracy is also possible.
AI-IMU technology is used in smart factories, logistics centers, medical institutions, and large commercial facilities. This method is especially effective for asset tracking, personnel monitoring, and safety management. Future improvements are expected through integration with 5G networks, enhanced real-time processing using edge computing, and combination with other sensors such as cameras and LiDAR. These advancements are expected to support more accurate and stable indoor positioning services.
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