iBeacons have revolutionized mobile communication by linking the physical and digital worlds, in real-time.
What are Bluetooth Beacons or iBeacon technology?
Bluetooth beacons are small wireless devices that use low-energy Bluetooth (BLE) signals to communicate with nearby smartphones or tablets. It doesn’t require an Internet connection and acts as a broadcaster within a short-range radius. The receiving device, such as a BLE-enabled smartphone, often acts as an intermediary device that uses the information from the beacon to transfer it somewhere or do something with it.¹
How are iBeacons or Bluetooth Beacons changing the world?
Here are my top 5 amazing examples of how iBeacons are changing the world.
Underground navigation
Have you ever used Google Maps or Waze to direct you to your location using GPS, and you lose signal underground? What do you do?
Earlier this month, Waze, SpotHero and the Chicago Department of Transportation teamed up to install 450 iBeacons along 5 miles of underground roadways in downtown Chicago. The system is allowing drivers who use the Waze app to find their way in an area where GPS signals generally go dark.
The benefits of seamless navigation can now be enjoyed underground.
Wrigley Stadium
While the number of iBeacons installed at Wrigley stadium remains a closely guarded secret, their use is not. Zac Brown’s Warrior’s To Summit show used iBeacons to encourage fans who opened the bands mobile app to pledge support for veterans and transitioning service members. This is an example of how technology can be used in the music industry to improve the fan experience while driving awareness for a great cause.
Niemann Foods
Retail provides a great opportunity for iBeacons to add value to the consumer experience. Niemann Foods has embraced the new technology, introducing them to all 45 stores in Illinois. By downloading their My County Market App, customers can receive personalised offers, aisle location options and the ability to create an in-app shopping list. The app has been downloaded thousands of times, proving that consumers are ready to adapt to new technologies. A new addition includes a loyalty card scheme, removing the frustration of forgetting your card for much needed loyalty points.
Chicago Lighthouse
iBeacon technology is giving those who are blind and visually impaired more freedom and Chicago’s Lighthouse was one of the first facilities to test it out. Beacons placed throughout the lighthouse are paired with an app. Users who are unsure of their surroundings need only touch the top right corner of the screen, and a notification will describe their surroundings including signs, and doors, as well as directions to the nearest rooms.
SEAtS Software
Student Retention is a major issue in Higher Education, with dropout rates rising each year. Student Attendance is the primary indicator as to whether a student will progress or not, and SEAtS Software uses iBeacons to make it easier to track attendance and identify struggling students.
iBeacons easily attach to any wall or ceiling, with battery life lasting 3 years. Simply attach and go! Students turn up to their scheduled class, open the SEAtS App, and record their attendance. The data is then sent to our early alert system along with hundreds of other data points like grades, library visits and extracurricular activity to measure student progress. If a student is falling behind, an alert is sent to both the student and faculty. If a student does not respond positively to initial requests, faculty will then be instructed to intervene. With thousands of students to track each year, SEAtS makes it easier to keep track of students and drive student success.
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more about iBeacons and how they can help your institution track and manage student attendance, please email us at sales@seatssoftware.com.
