Freegrow, a new map that makes complex spaces smarter

In large shopping malls, airports, and exhibition halls, finding your way can be a real challenge. Freegrow’s indoor navigation solution ‘Growmaps’ is gaining attention for solving exactly this problem. CEO Kim Young-sik said, “Our goal is to provide users with optimized route guidance through AI-based map creation and data analysis.” He added that Growmaps is showcasing its technological prowess through the Trade Center Testbed demonstration project.

Growmaps: Freegrow’s Indoor Navigation Solution

Freegrow’s Growmaps utilizes GeoJSON data maps instead of the traditional image-based method. This provides a lightweight operating environment and accurate route guidance. It also includes various functions such as location recognition through QR codes, interfloor movement guidance, and store information display. These features make it easy to use even in complex commercial facilities.

Hyundai Duty Free Trade Center Testbed

In this testbed, Freegrow collaborated with Hyundai Duty Free. Growmaps was applied to the Hyundai Duty Free Trade Center branch and Incheon International Airport T1 & T2 branches. This allows visitors to receive indoor route guidance and various benefit information by scanning QR codes.

Growmaps also improves user experience by providing real-time route updates and event information. CEO Kim said Freegrow aims to develop an integrated indoor/outdoor navigation that goes beyond a purely indoor solution. This includes optimal indoor/outdoor routes and various information for users. It also analyzes user behavior data, which provides useful insights to operators. In particular, exhibition navigation users can save companies of interest and manage notes about them, enabling business-specific functions.

In the Hyundai Duty Free Testbed conducted at the Trade Center Testbed 2024, customized navigation functions for each zone attracted attention. Freegrow easily provides users with customized benefits and store information for each zone through QR codes. This can also be utilized as a marketing function for commercial spaces. CEO Kim said, “Through the testbed, we confirmed that Growmaps can contribute to improving user convenience and indoor space operation efficiency.” He added that Freegrow plans to expand and apply it to various domestic and international spaces in the future.

Growmaps Dashboard and Future Expansion

In addition to indoor navigation for users, Freegrow also provides a dashboard with useful data-based insights for operators. Growmaps’ dashboard analyzes visitors’ movements, store visit frequency, and congestion by time zone in real time. This helps operators improve space efficiency and establish marketing strategies. CEO Kim emphasized its potential as a solution for making space operations smarter, saying, “Operators can grasp the flow of space in real time through the dashboard and provide more sophisticated, customized customer services.”

After proving its domestic performance through the testbed, Freegrow plans to expand Growmaps to large commercial facilities, public institutions, exhibitions, etc. CEO Kim said, “Our goal is to provide an intuitive and convenient mobility experience by establishing Growmaps in all spaces that require indoor navigation.” He expressed his vision to grow into a partner that accelerates digital transformation. See our shopping mall Growmaps case study for another live deployment, or read the USGS overview of the GeoJSON format that powers Growmaps’ lightweight maps.