Navizon

Miami Beach-based Navizon recently introduced technology that tracks people indoors strictly through the wi-fi signals emitted by their mobile devices. With the ability to accurately pinpoint a device’s location to within a particular room, the system has raised some privacy concerns. But its uses include malls tracking customer traffic, companies making sure devices don’t leave the building, hospitals tracking medical equipment and staff — and locating your cell phone in your house. Founded in January 2005, Navizon is a pioneer in the geolocation field. Its system of adding the location of nearby cell phone towers and wi-fi access points to satellite-based GPS coordinates made it possible to find a mobile device indoors, in urban environments and when GPS signals are weak or blocked. Microsoft tapped the firm’s technology in 2010 for its geolocation services. Other clients include AT&T and 3M.