Better orientation with the latest version of the ETH app
The indoor navigation and mapping solution ‘PolyMaps’ is now part of the ETH app. Users can once again search not only for buildings but also for rooms. In addition, points of interest and the user's own location can now be displayed on the map.
The indoor map application PolyMaps is available in the ETH app under the ‘皇冠体育,皇冠体育app’ tab and, as a new feature, displays your current position within and between the buildings of ETH Zurich with a blue dot in real time. It also allows you to search for points of interest such as lecture halls, meeting rooms, restaurants or toilets. Mobility services such as eLink stops, bike-sharing stations and ramps for barrier-free building access are now also part of PolyMaps. This means that the room search and the display of detailed floor plans, which many users sorely missed after the last major update, are now part of the ETH app again in an even more comprehensive form.
Emergency information is available in the app
With the latest update to the official ETH app, users can now dial the most important emergency numbers directly from the app without having to search for them or enter them into their smartphone. An SOS icon on the home screen allows users to display the numbers in the event of an emergency. Most defibrillators are also marked as points of interest on the map.
Download the ETH app
Download the new version (7.0.0) of the ETH app now or update it to enjoy the benefits of the new map and search function:
This is what map integration looks like
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Better orientation: The blue dot indicates your position on the way to the lecture hall. -
Small symbols for cafeterias, lifts or exhibitions, such as here in the entrance hall of the main building, mark so-called ‘points of interest’. -
Special places such as Einstein's locker are also marked on the map.
How do I use PolyMaps?
The PolyMaps indoor navigation system is part of the ETH app and can be accessed via the ‘皇冠体育,皇冠体育app’ tab. An internet connection is required to initially load the map data. The position display or search are also possible in offline mode. Important: To use PolyMaps, Bluetooth and location services on your mobile device must be activated and enabled for the app. You can then display your location on the map via the ‘皇冠体育,皇冠体育app’ tab. The system currently covers most of the buildings and areas on the Centre and H?nggerberg campuses, the locations in Oerlikon (OAT, OCT and ONA) and the BSS in Basel.
The next stage of development is already underway
The integration of PolyMaps into the ETH app is an important first step. However, the team is already working on the next stage: an integrated navigation function will enable users to view routes within and between ETH buildings and, if desired, navigate from A to B. The routes will also be accessible, i.e. without stairs or steps. This also implements an important requirement from the ETH Zurich Accessibility Programme.
The blue dot display and, in future, the navigation option will be made possible by an indoor positioning system (IPS) consisting of 15,000 beacons. Beacons are small, inconspicuous devices that have been installed on the walls and ceilings of ETH buildings and emit Bluetooth signals. These signals are used to locate the position of the mobile device, even without an internet connection. PolyMaps can be used inside and between all ETH Zurich buildings – the only exceptions are currently the HIF and HPT buildings and buildings that are undergoing renovation.
The accuracy of the user's location is generally around five metres. This means that it is not quite as accurate as GPS positioning, but it can be used in areas without mobile phone or GPS reception. Inside ETH buildings, the blue dot is only displayed in so-called traffic areas. For example, if you are in a seminar room or in the large hall in the main building, the blue dot is displayed in the corridor in front of the room or at the edge of the hall.
Data protection guaranteed
PolyMaps takes the privacy and security of its users very seriously. The system does not collect, track or store any personal data, even temporarily. Position calculations are performed exclusively on the user's mobile device and are not transmitted to the server. PolyMaps cannot therefore be used to track users. More details about PolyMaps
Feedback is welcome
The team behind PolyMaps would be grateful for any information about errors in the map material or problems with its use. A link in the map settings of the ETH app refers to the email address provided for this purpose.
Further Informationen
- Information website about the PolyMaps project
- Indoor navigation for barrier-free guidance at ETH (IT Services blog in German)
- Technical innovations in the Barrier-Free Programme (internal news article)
- Barrier-free ETH: Launch of barrier-free navigation, alerting and evacuation systems (internal news article)
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