By Laura Fenton

 The cliché excuse for tardiness at the University of Memphis — “I got lost” — won’t hold ground after August. A computer, smartphone or tablet will give users access to precise directions and maps for campus right down to the exact room with indoor mapping from Google Maps.

“Just like any other map, I think directions like this will help you figure out where you're going a lot quicker,” said Carol Ann Walker, U of M graduate student in the Public Administration program. “It would also probably make you a little less stressed out on your first day of class.”

The U of M is one of the early adopters in the state to integrate the indoor mapping feature. This newest facet of Google Maps, soon available for all public buildings across the U of M, is visible through both the Google Maps website and the official Google Maps app.

Last fall, Google representatives walked the pathways of campus with a device to trace pedestrian-friendly routes for Google Maps.

Google employees will return this summer to fully integrate the indoor mapping of U of M public buildings. Residence halls, administrative offices and other private spaces will not be listed.

“The Google staff will walk around buildings on campus to help determine the wayfinding for the maps,” said U of M webmaster Allecia Powell. “After that, students will be able to navigate from building to building and from area to area within a building using Google Maps on their smartphones.”          

Google launched indoor maps in November 2011 and began reaching out to universities the following February.

“College students are usually the most tech savvy, so we know they’re going to be using something like this to get around campus,” said Jacqui Erwin, partner operations specialist at Google in Chicago. “Plus, this is a great way to market your university as being on the cutting edge of technology.”

On any type of computer, the University Center’s first floor is the only interior map readily available through the Google Maps website. There are not step-by-step direction capabilities on a web browser, although there will be at some point.

By zooming in on campus buildings like the University Center, Google Maps indoor floor plans show details that make finding your exact destination easier. During the summer, floor plans for all public buildings on campus will be uploaded for general use.

Android product users have access to the display of all three levels of the University Center through the Google Maps app and step-by-step directions once inside a building with uploaded floor plans. Apple product users have access to one feature right now; display of the first level of the University Center through a web browser only.

These indoor maps may also become integrated with the U of M mobile app. As buildings change, the new building plans will be updated online.

To view the detailed floor plans, zoom in to the desired building. A blue dot serves as your starting point, and moves with you to determine your current location. If you move up a level, the map will refresh to the next floor. The step-by-step directions provide specifics of the interior distances to walk.

“It tells you where to go, down to where to take the stairs and that the room will be on your left,” Erwin said.

Walker, who moved to Memphis less than two year ago from Jackson, Miss., still uses GPS devices occasionally when driving around town.

“I'm still learning my way around Memphis,” she said. “I have a decent sense of direction, but for somewhat large buildings like the UC, a map would probably be more helpful than someone's verbal directions.”            

Google Maps initially partnered with some of the largest retailers, airports and transit stations in the U.S. and Japan for the indoor mapping component.