Smart Navigation at AIIMS Bhopal Through Mobile App and QR Codes

Bhopal: If you are visiting the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhopal for the first time, reaching your destination within the campus can be quite challenging. The AIIMS Bhopal campus is geographically vast. Since the internal layout of the hospital and academic buildings appears similar at many places, patients, their attendants, and visitors often face difficulties in locating the correct department, ward, or room. At times, people feel uncomfortable due to confusion about directions and may even hesitate to visit the institution.

To enhance the convenience of patients and visitors, AIIMS Bhopal has taken a new initiative by introducing a smart navigation system based on a mobile application and QR codes. Developed in collaboration with the ‘Drishti’ team of IIT Indore, this system will provide accurate and step-by-step directions to various departments, wards, and rooms across the expansive hospital campus.

The smart navigation system is being designed in two formats to address these challenges. In the first phase, QR codes will be installed at major entry gates and key locations across the campus. Visitors will be able to scan these QR codes using their mobile phones, which will open an interactive map on their screens. The map will guide them clearly and systematically from their current location to their desired department or room.

In the second phase, a dedicated mobile application will be introduced. Users will be able to download the app and receive navigation assistance throughout the campus. GPS technology will be used for movement between different buildings. Inside hospital and college buildings—where GPS accuracy is limited—relay devices will be installed approximately every 15 meters. These devices will ensure more precise navigation, enabling patients and visitors to reach their destinations without any difficulty.

The project will initially be implemented as a one-month pilot phase. During this period, its feasibility, user experience, and operational effectiveness will be evaluated. If successful, the system will be expanded across the entire campus. This initiative is considered a significant step toward digital innovation and patient-centric services. It is expected to save time, streamline movement within the campus, and substantially reduce the hesitation people often feel while navigating a large hospital complex.

Mobile App and QR Codes