Geodienst develops navigation app for university buildings

Recently, RUG Maps was launched, a navigation app designed to guide students, staff, and visitors through nearly all buildings of the University of Groningen (UG). Until now, it has not always been easy to find the way around the extensive network of UG locations. “This can be improved”, thought the Geodienst staff at the Center for Information Technology (CIT).

It is a familiar problem at a large organization such as the University of Groningen, with multiple locations across the city: finding your way. Whether it is the room where a meeting is taking place, a reception desk, lecture hall, lift, or coffee corner, locating the right spot can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. With the arrival of RUG Maps, that is now a thing of the past. Lecture halls, offices, but also locations of facilities such as printers and toilets can be found in the app, as well as information about the accessibility of locations for people with additional support needs. It is also possible to map out a route between two points.

Google Maps for UG buildings

In his early years at the University of Groningen, Geodienst employee Govert Schoof regularly got lost in the complex university buildings on his way to appointments. His colleague Leon van der Meulen had the same experience, which led to the idea of using indoor navigation to improve the provision of information in the UG buildings. Together with AI developer Jelmer van der Linde, they examined all kinds of solutions, both commercial and open source. Ultimately, they decided to build the application themselves so that the data would remain within the University of Groningen. After several prototypes, tests, and pilots with the University Library, RUG Maps was finally created. It works just as easily as Google Maps, but is specifically designed for the University of Groningen buildings. In the app, you enter the room number or the building, and it shows you the way.  

User testing

From the beginning, extensive discussions were held with staff and students to understand their needs and challenges. Students with disabilities were specifically involved in the development of RUG Maps, to ensure that as many target groups as possible could be supported. Together with external user experience researchers and designers, a design was created and tested with users. User tests were conducted in the Harmonie building and the Kapteynborg, where students and staff were asked to find a specific room using the app. Based on the information gathered, the app was further developed.

Flexible and autonomous

RUG Maps uses existing maps and facility information from the University of Groningen. The data for the app is hosted within the CIT, as is the application itself. The application is built using existing components of the University of Groningen's geo-infrastructure, supplemented with open source components. Users are not asked for location data, so nothing is stored or shared with third parties. Van der Meulen: “It is an in-house developed application, entirely based on open source, which allows us to be flexibile and autonomous.”

Smart applications

RUG Maps is now part of the University of Groningen's Smart Buildings programme. This programme focuses on improving the use and functioning of buildings, including by developing tools for students and staff. By combining data from existing systems and sensors, ‘smart applications’ are made possible. RUG Maps will be further developed and expanded with even more functionalities and insights, for example about opening hours, facilities available in a room, and how busy the buildings are. Future feedback may also generate ideas that will be incorporated into further development.