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Your platform needs certified wireless. We engineer and ship it.

needCode is the embedded wireless partner for automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. CCC Digital Key, secure UWB ranging, in-cabin radar, and SDV over-the-air updates - production-grade firmware engineered to pass certification and ship on the program timeline, not after it.
needCode IoT

We work with Industry Leaders

In the Software Defined Vehicle, wireless became a safety- and security-critical subsystem.

Connectivity used to be a comfort feature. In the SDV it sits on the safety and security path. The phone became the key. In-cabin sensing became a rating line. Keyless entry became a liability question. Each of these is a wireless engineering problem - UWB ranging, BLE 6.0, secure distance bounding - and each carries a certification gate that a program cannot miss.

Most platform teams do not staff that capability in-house, and cannot ramp it inside the six-to-nine-month window a program allows. needCode supplies it as an integrated, silicon-aware team that ships production firmware against your milestones - not a reference demo that still needs a year of hardening.

The key is now a phone

CCC Digital Key Release 3.0 / 4.0 makes UWB + BLE secure ranging table stakes for hands-free passive entry.

The cabin is now sensed

Euro NCAP rewards direct in-cabin detection. UWB radar turns a child-presence rating requirement into a shipped feature.

The lock is attackable

Keyless entry without distance bounding is a documented exposure. BLE Channel Sounding and UWB time-of-flight close it.

Four wireless workstreams.
One vehicle platform.

An automotive wireless program is rarely one project. It is four, running concurrently across the zonal architecture. We staff all four as a single team, so the stacks are designed to coexist instead of colliding at integration.

CCC Digital Key (UWB + BLE)

Phone- and card-as-key passive entry built to Car Connectivity Consortium Digital Key Release 3.0 and 4.0. UWB delivers the secure, centimetre-grade ranging that authorises hands-free access; BLE handles discovery, wake-up, and the owner-pairing flow. We integrate the FiRa/CCC stack on your target silicon and own it through certification - a shippable subsystem, not a slide.

Secure Ranging & Relay-Attack Resistance

BLE-only keyless entry is vulnerable to relay attacks - a demonstrated, repeatable exposure. We close it with distance bounding: BLE 6.0 Channel Sounding phase-based ranging and UWB time-of-flight, so a credential only authorises when the device is physically present. Security designed into the ranging layer, not bolted on above it.

In-Cabin Radar & Child Presence Detection

UWB radar perceives the cabin: occupancy, child-presence detection, seatbelt-reminder logic, and intrusion sensing from a single node. Aligned to Euro NCAP's direct-sensing assessment, where radar-grade detection scores where indirect methods do not. One radio, multiple safety functions, fewer parts on the BOM.

SDV Connectivity & OTA

The Software Defined Vehicle needs reliable connectivity across its life, not just at the line. In-cabin BLE for device and infotainment pairing, WiFi for high-throughput OTA and cloud offload, and disciplined multi-radio coexistence so the stacks do not fight for spectrum. Atomic, signed, rollback-safe updates - the difference between a feature push and a fleet recall.

Your platform program needs a wireless team?

Book a discovery call with our CEO

Why automotive platform teams bring in needCode

Chipset-level depth, not datasheet-level

Certified Qorvo partner with 5+ years on QM33, QM35, and legacy DW1000 / DW3000 silicon — the UWB families behind automotive digital key. Privileged roadmap access and direct vendor channels mean your bring-up starts ahead of the public SDK, not behind it.

We sit where the specs are written

Active across FiRa, the UWB Alliance, Omlox, the Bluetooth SIG, and IEEE 802.15.4ab. Your stack is built to the standard by people shaping it — which is what keeps a platform interoperable across model years, key fobs, and suppliers.

The security posture an automotive audit expects

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015 certified, with secure boot, signed dual-slot OTA, and CRA-grade discipline as defaults — not retrofits. The compliance bar a program assessment will hold you to.

Diagnostic tooling the silicon vendors don't ship

Our UWB Protocol Sniffer captures and decodes IEEE 802.15.4a/z frames with FiRa and CCC decoders — a capability NXP, ST, and Infineon do not offer. It turns interop debugging from guesswork into evidence and de-risks the integration weeks that quietly sink program timelines.

Four ways to bring needCode into the program

From a pre-program feasibility study to a multi-year embedded team. We match the engagement to where the platform is in its lifecycle.

01

Feasibility & Architecture

  • Duration:
    2–4 weeks
  • Best for:
    De-risking a wireless workstream before the program commits
  • Deliverable:
    Architecture, risk map, certification path, leadership readout

02

Stack Bring-Up & SDK

  • Duration:
    Phased
  • Best for:
    Getting the CCC/FiRa or BLE stack running on target silicon
  • Deliverable:
    Integrated stack, demo applications, test harness, release ownership

03

Productization & Certification

  • Duration:
    Phased
  • Best for:
    Taking a working prototype to production-certified firmware
  • Deliverable:
    Hardened firmware, FiRa / BT SIG / FCC / CE conformity support, BOM and supply-chain input

04

Embedded Team Extension

  • Duration:
    Multi-year, retainer-based
  • Best for:
    OEMs and Tier 1s who want needCode integrated with the platform release process
  • Deliverable:
    A dedicated squad inside your cadence — the model behind the 30-FTE Qorvo program

What we ship on

No religious wars. We pick the silicon, stack, and toolchain that match your platform and its lifecycle.

Silicon

Qorvo QM33
Qorvo QM35
NXP Trimension
Nordic nRF54
STMicroelectronics
Infineon
legacy DW1000 / DW3000

Standards

CCC Digital Key 3.0 / 4.0
FiRa
Omlox
Bluetooth SIG
IEEE 802.15.4z
IEEE 802.15.4ab

RTOS & integration

Zephyr
FreeRTOS
ThreadX
bare metal
Integration with your platform middleware

Security & OTA

Secure boot
signed dual-slot OTA
TF-M
PSA Crypto API
mbedTLS

Case studies

Proof from adjacent, high-reliability programs. We don't publish the automotive logos under NDA. What we can show is the capability those programs are built on - UWB silicon depth, BLE standards pedigree, and production delivery under deadline.

Qorvo: RF Leadership

Context: Rapid scaling for new chipset bring-up.
  • Scale: Grew from <10 to 30 FTEs.
  • Output: Supported bring-up of 9 new hardware platforms (SDKs, Drivers, Stacks).
  • Retention: Zero-churn core team retained for 5+ years.
Dedicated Development Center for RF Solutions
Bluetooth Mesh Smart Lighting Control System

Smart Lighting: Core R&D Extension

Context: Client needed deep, specialized expertise to pivot from proprietary tech to a new global standard.
  • Service: Deployed a dedicated squad of embedded engineers to function as the client's core R&D team.
  • Output: Co-authored official Bluetooth SIG protocols and delivered the world’s first certified BLE Mesh stack.
  • Value: Enabled the client to secure Series A funding and defined the industry standard for smart buildings.

Creative Werks: Innovation rescue

Context: Hardware obsolescence threatened production shutdown.
  • Action: Full-stack takeover (PCB redesign + Firmware + Mobile App).
  • ROI: 1230% ($1.6M value generated).
  • Speed: Payback period of 2–3 months.
NeedCode-case study - IoT Solution for Boat Lift Modernization - cover2s
needcode-powerpolen-case-study-cover2s

PowerPollen: AgTech automation

Context: Lack of internal expertise stalled a critical automation project.
  • Action: Re-architected system using unified MCU and ISOBUS standards.
  • ROI: 13.8x ($2.9M value generated).
  • Impact: Enabled $1.9M increase in harvester value.

Strategic Partnership

needCode is an official business partner of Qorvo, bringing over 8 years of proven expertise and trusted service to the technology sector.
qorvo-logo-banner
UWB-Alliance-logo-banner

Members of the UWB Alliance

In 2025 we became a member of the UWB Alliance. This strategic step reinforces our commitment to pioneering Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.

Proudly Certified for Excellence and Security

needCode is officially certified for:
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information Security
ISO certifications reflect our focus on delivering reliable IoT solutions, smart product development, and secure technology services.
ISO 9001_2015ISO - IEC 27001_2022

Testimonials

“I think the key takeaway from needCode is their ability to adapt and understand the customer's requirements. That took away probably a large portion of what could have been a lot of development time and expense for both companies.”
Bob Folkestad
Bob Folkestad
President at Creative Werks
“One aspect that truly sets needCode apart is its profound expertise in firmware development. Their proficiency in various programming languages, embedded systems and hardware architecture is truly impressive. When faced with difficult problems, their strong problem-solving skills and analytical mindset shine through, allowing them to overcome obstacles with remarkable ease.”
avatar Semeh Sarhan
Semeh Sarhan
CEO at Xtrava
“I worked with needCode while leading the NWTN-Berlin team in 2018. A big chunk for our FW development has been outsourced to them and they had proven to iterate very quickly, following specs and deliver on time. It was great working with them. I recommend working with needCode’s team on any Embedded SW development.”
avatar Marco Salvioli Mariani
Marco Salvioli Mariani
CTO at NWTN Berlin GmbH
“needCode Team proved to be one of the best engineers I have ever met. The part I like the most about the team is the more difficult an obstacle seems to be, the more motivated they were to find a solution and a way forward.”
A Testimonial picture
Szymon Słupik
CTO at Silvair
“needCode is an outstanding partner. Their quick follow-up, scalability, and extensive professional network set them apart. Their expertise in wireless technologies has been valuable, supporting us from low-level drivers to architecture discussions.”
avatar Tim Allemeersch
Tim Allemeersch
Director at Qorvo, Inc.
“needCode did a great job improving the firmware of the Vai Kai connected toys and developing new features, surpassing our expectations multiple times. I would definitely recommend hiring Bartek and needCode for the embedded software projects!”
avatar Matas Petrikas
Matas Petrikas
CEO & Co-founder
at Vai Kai UG

Insights

FAQ

needCode implements CCC Digital Key - Car Connectivity Consortium Release 3.0 and 4.0 - as production firmware for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, combining UWB secure ranging with BLE discovery and pairing. We integrate the FiRa/CCC stack on your target silicon (Qorvo QM33/QM35, NXP Trimension, and others) and own it through certification, not as a reference demo. As a certified Qorvo partner active in FiRa, we build to the standard rather than around it.

Relay attacks are prevented with distance bounding - confirming the key device is physically close, not merely reachable by radio. needCode implements this with UWB time-of-flight ranging and BLE 6.0 Channel Sounding phase-based ranging, so a credential only unlocks the vehicle when the phone or fob is genuinely in range. Because the check lives in the ranging layer, it resists the relay and replay methods that defeat signal-strength-only BLE systems.

Yes - UWB radar detects occupancy and child presence by sensing micro-movements such as breathing from a single in-cabin node. This is direct sensing, which scores under Euro NCAP's child-presence assessment where indirect methods like door logic or weight mats do not. The same node can also serve seatbelt-reminder and intrusion-detection functions, reducing BOM part count.

needCode is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security) and ISO 9001:2015 (quality), and applies secure-boot, signed-OTA, and CRA-grade discipline as standard. For functional-safety-rated work we scope the safety case together with your program's ISO 26262 process owners.

needCode supports the silicon used across automotive digital-key and ranging programs, including Qorvo QM33 and QM35, NXP Trimension, and legacy Decawave DW1000/DW3000, plus BLE platforms from Nordic, Texas Instruments, Silicon Labs, and Espressif. With 9 hardware-platform bring-ups behind us, we start from chipset-level knowledge, not the public datasheet. We also provide a dedicated UWB protocol sniffer for interop debugging that the silicon vendors themselves do not offer.

UWB measures distance by time-of-flight and gives centimetre-grade, NLOS-resilient ranging, which is why CCC Digital Key uses it for secure hands-free entry; BLE 6.0 Channel Sounding measures distance by phase and round-trip time and brings ranging to lower-cost, lower-power BLE-only designs. In practice they are complementary - UWB for the highest-assurance passive entry, Channel Sounding for cost-sensitive tiers or as a second factor. needCode implements both and helps you choose per vehicle tier.

A focused feasibility and architecture engagement runs 2-4 weeks and delivers the architecture, risk map, and certification path before the program commits. Full bring-up is then phased against your milestones, with needCode owning the release cycle. Timelines depend on silicon maturity and certification scope, which we size in the feasibility phase rather than promising blind.

Both - needCode engages as a fixed-scope feasibility study, a phased bring-up and productization project, or a dedicated embedded team integrated with your release process. The team-extension model is how we ran a 30-engineer program for Qorvo with a zero-churn core retained 5+ years. Commercial models (staff augmentation, time and materials, fixed price) are matched to the program, not led with.

needCode designs OTA for the Software Defined Vehicle as an atomic, signed, rollback-safe pipeline - stage, verify, commit, rollback - so a failed update never bricks a unit in the field. We pair WiFi for high-throughput download and cloud offload with BLE for in-cabin pairing, and manage multi-radio coexistence across the zonal architecture. Secure boot and signed firmware are designed in from the first generation, not retrofitted.

needCode works across FiRa, the Car Connectivity Consortium, Omlox, the Bluetooth SIG, and IEEE 802.15.4z/4ab, and supports FCC and CE conformity for production firmware. The company is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015. Because we participate in the bodies that write these specifications, a platform stays interoperable across model years and suppliers.

Let's work on your next project together

Book a demo and discovery call with our CEO
to get a look at:
Strategic Expertise
End-to-End Solutions
Advanced Technology
Custom Hardware Devices
Bartek Kling
Bartek Kling / CEO
© 2026 needCode. All rights reserved.

Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing machines are typically equipped with IoT sensors that capture performance data. AIoT technology analyzes this sensor data, and based on vibration patterns, the AI predicts the machine's behavior and recommends actions to maintain optimal performance. This approach is highly effective for predictive maintenance, promoting safer working environments, continuous operation, longer equipment lifespan, and less downtime. Additionally, AIoT enhances quality control on production lines.

For example, Sentinel, a monitoring system used in pharmaceutical production by IMA Pharma, employs AI to evaluate sensor data along the production line. The AI detects and improves underperforming components, ensuring efficient machine operation and maintaining high standards in drug manufacturing.

Logistics & supply chain

IoT devices - from fleet vehicles and autonomous warehouse robots to scanners and beacons - generate large amounts of data in this industry. When combined with AI, this data can be leveraged for tracking, analytics, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, and more, offering greater visibility into logistics operations and enhancing vendor partnerships.

Example: Amazon employs over 750,000 autonomous mobile robots to assist warehouse staff with heavy lifting, delivery, and package handling tasks. Other examples include AI-powered IoT devices such as cameras, RFID sensors, and beacons that help monitor goods' movement and track products within warehouses and during transportation. AI algorithms can also estimate arrival times and forecast delays by analyzing traffic conditions.

Retail

IoT sensors monitor movement and customer flow within a building, while AI algorithms analyze this data to offer insights into traffic patterns and product preferences. This information enhances understanding of customer behavior, helps prevent stockouts, and improves customer analytics to drive sales. Furthermore, AIoT enables retailers to deliver personalized shopping experiences by leveraging geographical data and individual shopping preferences.

For instance, IoT sensors track movement and customer flow, and AI algorithms process this information to reveal insights into traffic patterns and product preferences. This ultimately leads to better customer understanding, stockout prevention, and enhanced sales analytics.

Agriculture

Recent research by Continental reveals that over 27% of surveyed farmers utilize drones for aerial land analysis. These devices capture images of crops as they are and transmit them to a dashboard for further assessment. However, AI can enhance this process even further.

For example, AIoT-powered drones can photograph crops at various growth stages, assess plant health, detect diseases, and recommend optimal harvesting strategies to maximize yield. Additionally, these drones can be employed for targeted crop treatments, irrigation monitoring and management, soil health analysis, and more.

Smart Cities

Smart cities represent another domain where AIoT applications can enhance citizens' well-being, facilitate urban infrastructure planning, and guide future city development. In addition to traffic management, IoT devices equipped with AI can monitor energy consumption patterns, forecast demand fluctuations, and dynamically optimize energy distribution. AI-powered surveillance cameras and sensors can identify suspicious activities, monitor crowd density, and alert authorities to potential security threats in real-time, improving public safety and security.

For example, an AIoT solution has been implemented in Barcelona to manage water and energy sustainably. The city has installed IoT sensors across its water supply system to gather water pressure, flow rate, and quality data. AI algorithms analyze this information to identify leaks and optimize water usage. Similarly, smart grids have been introduced to leverage AI to predict demand and distribute energy efficiently, minimizing waste and emissions. As a result, these initiatives have enabled the city to reduce water waste by 25%, increase renewable energy usage by 17%, and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 19%.

Healthcare

Integrating AI and IoT in healthcare enables hospitals to deliver remote patient care more efficiently while reducing the burden on facilities. Additionally, AI can be used in clinical trials to preprocess data collected from sensors across extensive target and control groups.

For example, intelligent wearable technologies enable doctors to monitor patients remotely. In real-time, sensors collect vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. AI algorithms then analyze this data, assisting doctors in detecting issues early, developing personalized treatment plans, and enhancing patient outcomes.

Smart Homes

The smart home ecosystem encompasses smart thermostats, locks, security cameras, energy management systems, heating, lighting, and entertainment systems. AI algorithms analyze data from these devices to deliver context-specific recommendations tailored to each user. This enables homeowners to use utilities more efficiently, create a personalized living space, and achieve sustainability goals.

For example, LifeSmart offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered IoT tools for smart homes, connecting new and existing intelligent appliances and allowing customers to manage them via their smartphones. Additionally, they provide an AI builder framework for deploying AI on smart devices, edge gateways, and the cloud, enabling AI algorithms to process data and user behavior autonomously.

Maintenance (Post-Release Support)

When your product is successfully launched and available on the market we provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure your product remains competitive and reliable. This includes prompt resolution of any reported issues through bug fixes and updates.

We continuously enhance product features based on user feedback and market insights, optimizing performance and user experience.

Our team monitors product performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and proactively addresses potential issues. This phase aims to sustain product competitiveness, ensure customer satisfaction, and support long-term success in the market.

Commercialization (From MVP to Product

Our software team focuses on completing the full product feature range, enhancing the user interface and experience, and handling all corner cases. We prepare product software across the whole lifecycle by providing all necessary procedures, such as manufacturing support and firmware upgrade.

We also finalize the product's hardware design to ensure robustness, scalability and cost-effectiveness.

This includes rigorous testing procedures to validate product performance, reliability, and security. We manage all necessary certifications and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure the product meets industry standards and legal obligations.

By the end of this phase, your product is fully prepared for mass production and commercial deployment, with all documentation and certifications in place.

Prototyping (From POC to MVP)

Our development team focuses on implementing core product features and use cases to create a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP). We advance to refining the hardware design, moving from initial concepts to detailed PCB design allowing us to assemble first prototypes. Updated documentation from the Design phase ensures alignment with current project status. A basic test framework is established to conduct preliminary validation tests.

This prepares the product for real-world demonstrations to stakeholders, customers, and potential investors.

This phase is critical for validating market readiness and functionality before proceeding to full-scale production.

Design (From Idea to POC)

We meticulously select the optimal technology stack and hardware components based on your smart product idea with detailed use cases and feature requirements (Market Requirements Document / Business Requirements Document). Our team conducts thorough assessments of costs, performance metrics, power consumption, and resource requirements.

Deliverables include a comprehensive Product Requirements Document (PRD), detailed Software Architecture plans, an Initial Test Plan outlining validation strategies, Regulatory Compliance Analysis to ensure adherence to relevant standards, and a Proof of Concept (POC) prototype implemented on breakout boards.

This phase aims to validate the technical feasibility of your concept and establish a solid foundation for further development.

If you lack a validated idea and MRD/BRD, consider utilizing our IoT Strategic Roadmap service to gain insights into target markets, user needs, and desired functionality. Having a structured plan in the form of an IoT Strategic Roadmap before development begins is crucial to mitigate complications in subsequent product development phases.