Location matters: 3D positioning helps first responders achieve faster response times

SUNNYVALE, Calif – A breakthrough technology can now precisely locate a caller vertically within multi-story buildings. The addition of vertical-specific position to existing horizontal information enables first responders to determine the altitude of smartphone users who call 9-1-1, reducing response time. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that reducing response times by one minute has the potential to save up to ten thousand lives per year.

Bosch and NextNav LLC, a 3D geolocation service provider, collaborated on component specifications and system performance resulting in consistent, high accuracy Z-Axis capabilities indoors. This is accomplished by applying barometric pressure sensors in the phone, like the Bosch BMP390, and combining them with NextNav’s Metropolitan Beacon System (MBS) Z-Axis service to determine three-dimensional location and positioning.

The new method is used to determine a device’s vertical position (or z-axis) in addition to the x-y axis, allowing first responders to more precisely pinpoint the origin location of an emergency call on a standard cell phone – a process that is not possible using GPS on a standard cell phone. Currently, location detection services utilized by emergency responders can only plot the horizontal position (or x-y axis.)

“At Bosch, we continue to explore new and exciting ways to leverage sensor technology to enhance everyday life as part of our unwavering focus on creating solutions that are ‘Invented for Life,’” said Marcellino Gemelli, director of business development for Bosch Sensortec. “This technology is poised to deliver on that promise to end-users and is positioned to reduce emergency response times and—in turn—save lives.”

Mapping the future

According to a recent report by the FCC, wireless providers will soon be required to meet an increasingly stringent series of location accuracy benchmarks in accordance with a timetable, including providing the caller’s dispatchable location. The order adopts a z-axis location accuracy metric of ±3 meters relative to the handset for 80 percent of indoor wireless 9-1-1 calls.

The floor level technology has undergone numerous successful testing rounds in locations throughout the U.S. since the collaboration began in 2013. Bosch and NextNav are also actively exploring other potential applications for the technology including IoT devices and automated vehicles.

Altitude tracking in smartphones, hearables and wearables

Bosch Sensortec announces the BMP390, a barometric pressure sensor that delivers unmatched accuracy for altitude tracking in smartphones as well as wearable and hearable devices. The new sensor can measure height changes below 10 centimeters thanks to the improved resolution, and is 50 percent more accurate than its predecessor.

Not limited to emergency applications, the sensor will also improve indoor navigation in general, compensating for traditional localization technologies such as GPS that do not work efficiently in shielded environments. This will help users to save time and avoid the hassle of getting lost, for example when searching for their car in an underground garage.

Furthermore, the new BMP390 supports enhanced GPS applications and calorie expenditure estimation tasks. The use of advanced barometric pressure sensing can determine whether a user is walking up or down an incline, stairs or lifting weights during a fitness training session. This helps to increase the precision of calorie tracking by up to 15 percent2.Thanks to the improved accuracy of altitude measurements, fitness trackers are able to show exactly how far a user has run, walked or cycled.

The BMP390 provides a typical relative accuracy of ±0.03 hPa, which is superior to any other comparable product on the market today. Typical absolute accuracy is ±0.5 hPa.

Further info: Accurate indoor localization can save thousands of lives enabled by pressure sensing solution.