A group of students from the Institute of Business Management has developed an augmented reality based application that could change how people navigate inside large buildings, offering step by step guidance without relying on internet connectivity or GPS signals. The app, named PathVerse AR, was showcased at IoBM’s annual technology event TechNova, where students from more than 35 universities presented over 45 projects highlighting creativity, innovation, and practical problem solving skills.
Designed to address the challenges of indoor navigation, the application guides users from their current location to a selected destination, such as an office, classroom, or department, using augmented reality directions that lead them directly to the required door. The app relies on an offline mapping system to provide the shortest possible route without requiring internet or GPS, and if a user takes a wrong turn, it automatically suggests a new route to reach the destination. The application also provides information about departments, offices, and other locations within a building, allowing users to select their desired destination before beginning navigation.
Students behind the project said they plan to expand its scope beyond universities and introduce it in hospitals, shopping malls, government offices, and other large buildings. They added that the technology could prove particularly useful for people with disabilities who often face challenges navigating unfamiliar places, positioning accessibility as a core use case alongside general convenience.
The students said the project’s main objectives are to reduce dependence on GPS for indoor navigation, save time for visitors and students, replace traditional maps and QR based guidance systems, and make movement inside large buildings faster and more efficient. The showcase at TechNova reflects a broader pattern of Pakistani universities using annual technology exhibitions to highlight student built solutions to practical, everyday problems, offering participants a platform to test and demonstrate their work beyond the classroom.
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