In a world-first development, University of Otago researchers have developed algorithms that can improve the precision of location tracking in smartwatches — to the centimetre.
Led by Otago School of Surveying visiting Google researcher Associate Prof Robert Odolinski, the research team demonstrated that a smartwatch could determine its location with centimetre-level precision over four hours with a stationary setup, by using the Google GnssLogger app and combining precise signals from several global navigation satellite systems.
Assoc Prof Odolinski said for decades, achieving centimetre-level positioning had required industries such as surveying, construction and engineering to invest in expensive GPS equipment.
"While the use of the so-called carrier-phase signals has long been known to improve the positioning performance, the specialised antenna and receivers needed for this have traditionally come at a cost far beyond the reach of many who would benefit from the technology."
He said GPS was introduced in a wearable watch in 1999, but hardware and power consumption limitations prevented it from tracking the carrier-phase signals needed for high-precision results.
Smartwatches are only accurate to within 10m, but recent advances now made centimetre-precision possible.
"This is just the beginning of what wearable high-precision positioning can potentially achieve.
"[The] general public usually use smartwatches for navigation and hiking, which sometimes does not require higher accuracy.
"If product development occurred from this type of research, there is then potential for precise centimetre-level surveying applications without the need of expensive equipment.
"For example, property owners could measure their own property boundaries, and it could also be used for precise athlete movement analysis, better rescue location services, and a range of other applications," he said.
