Indoor & Outdoor Localization Feasibility

Hello!

First off, I will state that I have absolutely no experience in Arduino or programming for that matter (I'm not tech savvy at all actually). With this in mind, I had an idea for a project but I wanted to ask you guys if it was feasible before I order all of parts.

For my project, I want to track a person's movement on a plane (x & y axis). To be exact, I want to track the person's foot placement, which means ultrasonic distance sensors will not be applicable. The maximum range I need to track is 35 feet (x) by 45 feet (y). I was looking into an active (or semi active) RFID tag but was unsure if accurate distances can be determined (by possible time of flight?) but I recognize there are many, many variables that can interfere with this signal. Additionally, this person will be moving extensively so there will need to be a high scan rate (ruling out gps). Would RFID be possible with this? Do you have any other ideas that may work, or is this simply not feasible?

Thank you in advance for your consideration and patience dealing with my lack of knowledge on this subject.

Tom

Would RFID be possible with this?

No.

This is an almost imposable task. You can get close with a mesh network of Zigbee radios, but it is expensive and not always accurate.

Google for this document:-
Locating ZigBee nodes using TI’s C2431 location engine and the Daintree Networks Sensor Network Analyzer
Application Note AN016

I appreciate your timely response! I looked at the Daintree Network and that appears to be exactly what I am looking for except it is substantially more expensive than what I was looking for. Could trilateration with RF signals work accurately within a foot or so while on the move? That is really my last hope for this project.. :frowning:

** This will be in an open plane with very little obstructions (Regardless of indoor or outdoor)

Perhaps Sebastian Madgwick's foot (gait) tracking project will be of interest to you. Gait tracking with x-IMU – x-io Technologies

Perfect! Thank you very much! :slight_smile: