A Proposal for a Technological Solution to Improve user Experience in a Shopping Center based on Indoor Geolocation Services

Abstract

For shopping centers, mobile devices and their associated technologies represent great business opportunities and a way to improve the user experience within their facilities. These types of constructions are usually quite large, multi-story, and with a significant number of shops, services, where the visitors may find themselves having difficulties to have a complete and up-to-date list of the stores, determine which stores and services are those that meet the characteristics or specifications they seek, know the location of the shops or how to reach them. This research studies and contemplates different technologies, tools, and approaches for the development of a technological solution for shopping centers that offers in its functionality a geolocation system in the interior spaces of the buildings. Our technological solution includes a mobile application for the Android operating system implemented by using the native development approach, and a web application for managing data, where the contents and settings of the mobile application will be obtained following the client/server model through a private API. It is worth to mention that the already mentioned system of geolocation in interiors is implemented using WiFi technology and the different Access Points installed in the shopping center, through which users can obtain their position, locate the stores or services of their interest, and receive indications on how to reach them.

Sentient Spaces: Intelligent Totem Use Case in the ECSEL FRACTAL Project

“…Shopping malls are in general crowded and noisy environments, due to the presence of many shops. When looking for a specific shop, it can be difficult to locate and reach, especially when noise is loud and the space to move is limited by the presence of other people 743 [10][16] [28]. Another feature of those spaces is a good level of lighting.…”