What is a Visual Positioning System (VPS)?
VPS is a technology that allows a device such as a smartphone or drone to determine its position and orientation in the physical world using visual cues. VPS systems use computer vision algorithms to analyze images from a camera or other optical sensor and compare them to a database of known locations or features.
Google Maps uses a VPS to provide location and navigation services for AR “Live View” users. This feature uses the camera on the user’s smartphone to provide AR-enhanced navigation directions and real-time location information.
How does VPS work?
VPS determines the location of the device based on images rather than GPS signals. VPS first creates a map by taking a series of images that have a known location and analyzes them for key visual features, such as the outline of buildings or bridges, to create a large and quickly searchable index of these visual features.
To locate the device, the VPS compares the features in the phone images with those in the VPS index. However, the accuracy of localization via VPS is greatly affected by the quality of the images and the location associated with it.
Google has linked this with Street View imagery, which has been taken around the world for over 15 years and is the basis of VPS. Deep neural networks identify and describe parts of images that are likely to be recognizable over a long period of time.
These parts are then combined across tens of billions of images to compute a 3D point cloud of the global environment. This localization model consists of trillions of points and covers almost all countries with future coverage.
VPS VS GPS:
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is an ingenious navigation device. But how often have you asked yourself, “Am I going in the right direction when using a tool? “How often have you thought about the re-center button? If you’ve been scratching your head over both questions, we have good news for you.
Start training for more accurate guidance from the Visual Positioning System (VPS). Google Maps ID that uses the smartphone sensor and overlays the arrows on the map to make navigation perfect.
Advantage of VPS :
•VPS can help you get better business intelligence and help clients on foot.
• Provides the user with the benefits of local marketing.
• May be available for all modes of transport. It is an icon in the transport sector.
• Very useful in urban areas where GPS services are often distracted or blocked by skyscrapers.
• Usability in indoor and outdoor and GPS-rejected environments with guaranteed accuracy despite the size of the area.
• VPS can be a great aid for the visually impaired, as close-up visual assistance can help them orient themselves.
Disadvantages of VPS:
•If you are just starting out or on a tight budget, VPS Hosting can be a bit more expensive than shared hosting. If your website traffic is moderate to heavy, shared hosting may not be able to offer stable features.
• VPS hosting requires higher technical knowledge to manage itself. However, you can always opt for fully managed VPS hosting.
•In case you plan to manage your VPS hosting, you need to ensure proper configurations, otherwise your website may be exposed to a higher security risk.
Will VPS replace GPS?
London-based Scape Technologies recently raised $8 million in seed funding to further develop its “Visual Positioning Service.” With funding backed by Entrepreneur First, Fly Ventures, LocalGlobe and Mosaic Ventures, the tech startup is looking to bring artificial intelligence (AI) to camera devices to recognize their surroundings.
The technology provides centimeter-level location recognition from three-dimensional (3D) representations of the environment. Initially focused on augmented reality applications, the broader reach will include logistics and robotics.
Written By: Vaishali Verma
