Nabijheidsbeacons

Nabijheidsbeacons, also known as proximity beacons, are small wireless transmitters that periodically broadcast short identifiers over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). They enable mobile devices to detect when they are near a beacon and to trigger context-aware actions in apps without requiring pairing. They do not provide precise geolocation; proximity is inferred from signal strength and beacon calibration.

Operation and standards: A device running a compatible app listens for beacons; when a known identifier is detected, the app can fetch additional data from a backend and present content or perform an action. Dominant ecosystems include Apple's iBeacon and Google's Eddystone, with various vendors offering open or proprietary formats. Beacons typically broadcast only an identifier, not user data, so data processing occurs in the app and backend rather than on the beacon itself.

Applications: Proximity beacons are used in retail to present offers, in museums for location-aware guides, in airports or stations for wayfinding, in events for attendee engagement, and in warehouses or hospitals for asset and people tracking. They support indoor navigation and context-specific interactions without requiring network connectivity at the beacon.

Deployment considerations: Beacons are usually battery-powered or USB-powered and placed at strategic points. Battery life depends on broadcast interval and power usage. Effective deployment requires planning for coverage, avoiding interference, and regular maintenance. Management platforms can remotely configure identifiers, transmission parameters, and rotation schedules.

Privacy and security: Since beacons broadcast identifiers publicly, devices determine whether to respond. Privacy protections include rotating IDs, opt-in user consent, and transparent data practices by apps. Limitations include RSSI-based proximity inaccuracies due to environment and device variation, necessitating careful calibration and user experience design.