Have you ever found yourself lost in the maze of halls and escalators that is the Philippine shopping mall? Worry no more because a new app is now in store to help you navigate through any local mall with no worries.
Duon Wayfinding is an indoor wayfinding app that helps users navigate high-traffic establishments like shopping malls, making for an easier trip around these colossal establishments.
The idea first formed in 2018, when Gab Angeles found it a regular occurrence to get lost inside SM Megamall—one of the largest malls in the country. The problem was prevalent due to the difficulties of Google mapping within buildings, mall guards not knowing which directions to give, and mall directories having limited availability. With the nagging problem at the back of his mind, Angeles thought of a way to cut through mall navigation difficulties by developing his own app.
Inspired by the phrase “doon po,” which is often a response by mall guards who are also unsure of exact locations in the mall, Duon Wayfinding was founded in 2023. Angeles and his partner/co-founder Miyuki Usui trained themselves in multiple business development disciplines, continuing to build the idea into a startup that could change the game for indoor navigation.
Duon started its pilot program in September 2023 at SM North EDSA. Being the second-largest mall in the country, the response in user engagement was positive. Built on the frustration of personal experiences, the app brought a remedy to mall-goers looking to find their way without getting lost.
The app is easy to use and divides mall stores into different categories for easy navigation, such as cafes, accessories, bookshops, and more. The app automatically pinpoints the establishment you are in, and will share the store information to help you identify where to go.
Duon is currently available on Google Play and was recently launched on iOS this November. The team continues to expand their selection of mall maps, starting from SM North EDSA, and now expanding to SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia, just in time for the holidays. The team is also looking to expand their services to other major establishments such as hotels, airports, universities, museums, event venues, and even theme parks.
Where would you use the Duon wayfinding app? Let us know in the comments!