We do have a tutorial you can use to practice learning how to localize in a building! You will encounter this Tutorial the first time you download and open the app, but it can be used again at any time. Please check our article How to Access Tutorials.
How to Localize in a Map:
- Open the GoodMaps App.
- Check into the building you are located at.
- If you are not in a GoodMaps building, you will not be able to localize – you will only be able to Explore.
- Building will load onto your phone.
- Raise your phone, with the camera facing outwards and your screen facing you. We recommend lifting the phone about chest height.
- Slowly pan your phone to the left or right.
- Do not move your phone rapidly in both directions! Your phone is gathering information to help find where you are in the building.
- While you are panning your device – you will hear a small tone and feel a haptic.
- Once your location has been found you will hear a triumphant tone and the previous haptics and tones will stop playing.
- If your location has not been found, the app will tell you to move a few feet and repeat the panning procedure.
- The reason why it may ask you to move and repeat the panning procedure is because you could be facing a blank wall!
How to Localize Out of a Connection
When you are traveling between floors you will enter what GoodMaps calls a “Connection.”
A Connection can be stairs or a stairwell, escalators, an elevator.
- When you enter a connection the app will give you specific directions.
- When you exit the connection – you will want to raise your phone at chest level and pan slowly in order let the app find you.
- If you are on the correct floor – the app will give you the next steps to get to your destination
- If you are on the incorrect floor – the app will attempt to reroute you back into the connection (or the nearest one that makes sense) to get you back on track.
How to Localize when you are Rerouted
There will be times when we get off track from our given route. Sometimes we turn left instead of right, or take an elevator to the wrong floor – in a busy world it can be easy to miss a step – but GoodMaps wants to help you get back on track.
- If you get off track from your given route the app will give you a prompt to find your location again in order to get you back on track.
- If your phone is lowered- then you will be told “Raise phone to get directions”
- You will then stop moving, raise your phone to be at chest level, and pan your phone either left or right until a new direction is given to get you back on track.
- If your phone is raised – then you will be told “Keep phone raised an slowly pan to continue your route”
- You will then stop moving and pan your phone either left or right until a new direction is given to get you back on track.