When GPS Fails: Next-Generation Indoor Z-Axis Tracking, Navigation, and Safety

While tracking outdoors remains relatively solved, indoor environments present a unique challenge. Currently, accurate z-axis (vertical) tracking for emergency responders is a critical priority for public safety. This panel brings together leading voices from academia, commercial tech, and the federal government to explore the technologies bridging the indoor navigation gap. On the research side, we will investigate the foundational science and algorithms making next-generation Z-axis tracking possible. Some topic areas up for discussion include sensor fusion, machine learning models that correct environmental variables, and what the next decade of indoor spatial computing looks like in the lab. On the practical side, we will outline the realities of bringing Z-axis capabilities to market. This perspective focuses on hardware integration into smartphones, IoT wearables, and commercial infrastructure at scale. Testing these technologies to determine their accuracy is also a significant step. PSCR has created a testing facility to determine the accuracy of these indoor localization solutions and accelerate technological advancements.