Indoor mapping and wayfinding for greeting robot and electronic badges - ON-1200

Project type: Innovation
Desired discipline(s): Engineering - computer / electrical, Engineering, Computer science, Mathematical Sciences
Company: iVenuto.com
Project Length: 4 to 6 months
Preferred start date: 06/01/2026
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Waterloo, ON, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Master'sPhD
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

iVenuto.com Corporation is a pioneering developer of visitor management technology and the creator of “ZAP IN,” the first iPad-based visitor management platform introduced more than a decade ago. Launched at a time when most reception processes were still paper-based or reliant on desktop systems, ZAP IN redefined front-desk operations by delivering a modern, tablet-driven sign-in experience. Built on a best-in-class, web-based technology stack, the platform combines reliability, security, and scalability with an intuitive user interface designed for both administrators and guests.
Over the years, ZAP IN has evolved into a feature-rich solution supporting streamlined visitor registration, badge printing, host notifications, compliance tracking, and real-time reporting. Its robust architecture ensures consistent performance across single-location offices and multi-site enterprises alike. With more than 36,000 app downloads and over 18 million visitor sign-ins processed worldwide, ZAP IN has demonstrated proven adoption and operational impact across corporate, healthcare, education, and government environments.
Through continuous innovation and a focus on usability, iVenuto.com Corporation has established ZAP IN as a trusted, industry-leading platform that enhances security, improves operational efficiency, and elevates the overall visitor experience.

Describe the project.: 

Innovation Project: Integrated Real-Time Visitor Tracking and Robotic Wayfinding Platform
Project Overview
This innovation initiative aims to develop an advanced site security and visitor engagement platform that integrates electronic smart badges with GPS and indoor positioning capabilities to provide real-time visibility of visitor location. The system will combine outdoor GPS data with precise indoor tracking technologies—such as BLE beacons, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi RTT, or hybrid sensor fusion—to deliver continuous, location-aware monitoring across an entire facility footprint.
Beyond security enhancement, the location data architecture will serve as the foundational intelligence layer for autonomous greeting and escort robots. By leveraging live positional data, robots will be able to identify, approach, greet, and guide visitors to designated destinations using dynamic wayfinding algorithms and facility mapping.

Stage 1: Feasibility, Requirements, and Architecture Definition
• Conduct a technical and commercial assessment of indoor positioning technologies (BLE, UWB, RFID, Wi-Fi RTT, LiDAR-assisted mapping).
• Evaluate accuracy thresholds, infrastructure cost, scalability, battery performance, and deployment complexity.
• Define system requirements, including tracking precision (e.g., sub-meter vs. room-level), latency tolerances, privacy controls, cybersecurity standards, and data retention policies.
• Develop overall system architecture, including cloud infrastructure, API framework, mobile interfaces, and robotics integration endpoints.

Stage 2: Robotics Platform Acquisition and Systems Integration
• Acquire a commercially viable robotic platform suitable for indoor navigation and human interaction.
• Integrate real-time location data feeds into robotic navigation and dispatch systems.
• Implement SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) alignment with facility mapping data.
• Conduct pilot testing in controlled environments to validate tracking accuracy and robot-guided escort functionality.

Stage 3: Software Development and User Interface Engineering
• Design and develop administrative dashboards for security teams, including live mapping, geofencing alerts, movement history, and compliance reporting.
• Build intuitive user interfaces for wayfinding configuration, robot dispatch management, and visitor flow optimization.
• Implement interactive mapping systems supporting real-time visualization and automated route generation.
• Perform system validation, user acceptance testing, and deployment readiness assessment.

Required expertise/skills: 

Programming /Coding, Software Engineering -Typescript, Node, React Native, Postgres DB and Prisma ORM.
Optional Knowledge Assets :
• LIDAR mapping principles and software
• GPS trancievers and chips
• Bluetooth and WIFI triangulation principles
• Mobile Phones knowledge at the operating system and service level.
• Experience in working with ROS (robotic operating system)