Navigating pre-recorded off-road routes using a mobile device

Most navigation systems, during calculation of user's route, use a directed graph whose edges represent streets and roads. Using shortest path algorithms they find an adequate route. But as most bicycle paths, macadam roads and forgotten old paths are not digitally mapped, these algorithms become useless. In this paper we present a solution for tracking user's route while driving through the unmarked area as well as navigating the user through one of the recorded routes from the repository of a stored routes. During tracking, user can mark the route by adding navigational cues. Upon completion of the tracking, previously marked route can be modified and shared with others by uploading and publishing in a shared repository. To successfully navigate user through the selected route, we developed a position determination algorithm and user-friendly interface for mobile devices. Navigation part of the solution is responsible for visual and voice instructions about the upcoming navigational cues at the right time. The software is intended primarily to cyclists but can be used, for example, by hikers and mountaineers for safe exploration of nature.