Navigating complex environments like a university campus can be difficult. First-time visitors, students, and even long-time staff often find themselves slowed down by unclear signs, complicated building layouts, or uncertainty about which path is accessible.
In partnership with Mapxus, and with local support from ASID Ventures, we recently completed a Proof of Concept at the UNSW Kensington campus, Patricia O'Shane Building. The project combined Mapxus’s technology in indoor mapping and positioning (backed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries), harnessing existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, with footpath.ai’s AI-driven outdoor pedestrian micro-maps built from street-level imagery. The result is a solution that helps people move confidently from the street to the lecture hall, or from one study space to another, with clear and accessible routes every step of the way, seamlessly connecting outdoor and indoor environments.
The PoC demonstrated what can be achieved when indoor digital twins are integrated with detailed outdoor walking map data. Visitors could search for points of interest across the campus, discover accessible routes, and follow seamless navigation bridging both indoor and outdoor environments. Importantly, the system required no new hardware, showing that efficient and cost-effective deployment is possible using existing infrastructure.
By ensuring outdoor walking routes connect naturally with indoor environments, this collaboration helps reduce the friction and uncertainty that often come with navigating large, multi-level complex spaces.
Albert Lau, Smart City Specialist at Mapxus, reflected on the partnership: “This milestone brings us closer to our vision of contributing to Australia’s efforts to improve accessibility, leveraging Mapxus's international experience. At Mapxus, we believe barrier-free access for everyone on campus.”
From footpath.ai, CEO Meead Saberi explains that the project demonstrates “how seamless outdoor–indoor navigation and wayfinding can be done in complex environments and opens up new business opportunities.”
The proof of concept at UNSW is a step toward wider applications. The same approach can support wayfinding in transport hubs, hospitals, stadiums, and city centres, anywhere people face the challenge of navigating complex, unfamiliar, or multi-level environments. Combining detailed outdoor pedestrian maps with accurate indoor positioning makes it possible to move effortlessly between streets and buildings.