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Ship once, update for years - without bricking the flee

needCode builds over-the-air update systems for connected products - signed and verified firmware, atomic A/B updates with automatic rollback, and staged rollout across thousands of devices. The capability that keeps a product secure and improvable for its whole life, engineered so an update can't brick a device or open an attack surface - including network-wide OTA across a BLE mesh, proven at 1,000 nodes.
needCode IoT

We work with Industry Leaders

A product you can't update in the field is frozen the day it ships

A connected product without robust OTA can't be patched when a vulnerability appears, can't be fixed when a bug surfaces, and can't gain a feature after launch - it's frozen at v1 while the threats around it keep moving. But OTA done wrong is worse than none: an unsigned update channel is a remote-code path into the whole fleet, and a non-atomic update interrupted by a dropped connection or a flat battery can brick a device already in a customer's hands. OTA quality is effectively binary - it works invisibly, or it's a recall.

needCode builds the version that works invisibly. Signed, verified, encrypted delivery on top of secure boot; atomic A/B updates that roll back on failure; and staged, monitored rollout that scales - including network-wide OTA across a BLE mesh without taking the network down, proven at 1,000 nodes.

Secure by construction

Signed, verified, encrypted firmware on secure boot - an update channel that isn't an attack surface.

Atomic and recoverable

A/B updates with automatic rollback, so an interrupted update can never brick a device.

Proven at scale

Staged, monitored rollout across thousands of devices - including network-wide OTA over a 1,000-node mesh.

What a production OTA system takes

Reliable field updates are four engineering problems, not a feature. needCode builds all four.

Secure Delivery

Signed and verified firmware delivered over an encrypted channel, anchored in secure boot so only authentic images ever run. An OTA path is a direct route into the fleet, so needCode treats its security as the first requirement, not a later hardening pass.

Atomic & Recoverable Updates

A/B (dual-bank) updates that apply atomically and roll back automatically if an image fails to boot or verify. It's the engineering that lets a device survive a dropped connection or a power cut mid-update instead of bricking in the field.

Staged Rollout & Monitoring

Phased rollout - canary first, then waves - with telemetry on success, failure, and version state across the fleet. Pushing to everything at once turns one bad image into a fleet-wide outage, so needCode rolls out in stages you can halt.

Constrained & Mesh Networks

OTA engineered for the real network - low-bandwidth links, intermittent connectivity, and BLE mesh, where updates have to cross thousands of nodes without taking the network offline. needCode has shipped network-wide mesh OTA at 1,000 nodes, the hardest version of the problem.

Building OTA into a connected product?

Book a discovery call with our CEO

Where it applies

Every connected product needs OTA, but the constraints differ sharply by sector. needCode tunes the system to each.

Automotive & SDV

Over-the-air updates are the heart of a software-defined vehicle - security patches, feature delivery, and ECU updates across a car's long life. needCode brings the secure, recoverable OTA an automotive programme's safety and security bar demands.

Industrial IoT

Updating deployed sensor and gateway fleets across a facility without sending a technician to each node. needCode's mesh and constrained-network OTA fits the scale and connectivity reality of an industrial site.

Smart Home & Connected Devices

Keeping consumer devices secure and improvable once they're in the home, where a failed update means a support call or a returned product. needCode builds OTA reliable enough that the customer never notices it happened.

Medical & Wearable

Field updates for devices where reliability and security are non-negotiable and a bricked unit is a serious failure. needCode's atomic, verified OTA suits products that simply can't afford a bad update.

Why teams build OTA with needCode

OTA at the hardest scale

needCode has shipped network-wide OTA across a 1,000-node BLE mesh without downtime - the version of OTA that breaks most teams. If it works across a mesh that size, a simpler fleet is well within reach.

Security from the silicon up

needCode anchors OTA in secure boot, signed firmware, and the PSA / TF-M crypto foundation, so the update channel strengthens the device's security rather than undermining it. The provisioning and OTA layers share that same root of trust.

Bootloader and platform depth

With nine platform bring-ups behind it, needCode builds the bootloader and A/B partitioning OTA actually runs on, not just the cloud side. That low-level depth is what makes an update genuinely atomic and recoverable.

End to end, device to fleet

needCode builds the whole OTA path - bootloader, on-device agent, secure delivery, and rollout management - as one coherent system. There are no seams between parts that someone else has to stitch together.

Four ways to bring needCode in

From an architecture review to a fleet-wide rollout. We match the engagement to where the product is.

01

OTA Architecture & Audit

  • Duration:
    2–4 weeks
  • Best for:
    Designing an OTA approach, or auditing an existing one for security and reliability gaps
  • Deliverable:
    OTA architecture / audit, risk list, leadership readout

02

OTA System Design & Build

  • Duration: 
    Phased
  • Best for:
    Building the bootloader, on-device agent, secure delivery, and rollout management
  • Deliverable:
    A working OTA system on target hardware

03

Mesh / Fleet OTA Rollout

  • Duration: 
    Phased
  • Best for:
    Taking OTA to a large or constrained fleet, including BLE mesh
  • Deliverable:
    Staged rollout, monitoring, network-wide OTA

04

Long-Term / Embedded Team

  • Duration: 
    Multi-year, retainer-based
  • Best for:
    Owning OTA across the product's life and releases
  • Deliverable:
    An embedded team maintaining and extending the update system

What we ship on

We pick the security, update mechanics, and networks that match your product and fleet

Security

Secure boot
signed firmware
TF-M
PSA Crypto API
mbedTLS
encrypted delivery

Update mechanics

A/B (dual-bank)
delta updates
automatic rollback
MCUboot

Networks

BLE
BLE mesh
WiFi
cellular
constrained / intermittent links

Silicon & RTOS

Nordic
NXP
STMicroelectronics
Qorvo
Zephyr
FreeRTOS

Fleet

Staged rollout
telemetry
version management
cloud integration

Case studies

The proof for an OTA system is a fleet updated reliably, securely, and at scale.

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

An OTA (over-the-air) update system is what lets a deployed product receive new firmware remotely - securely delivered, safely applied, and rolled out across a fleet without physical access. It is the capability that keeps a connected product patchable, fixable, and improvable for its whole life. needCode builds the secure delivery, the atomic on-device update, and the staged rollout as one system.

needCode secures OTA by delivering only signed and verified firmware over an encrypted channel, anchored in secure boot so a device runs only authentic images. The update path is a direct route into the fleet, so its security is treated as the first requirement rather than a later hardening pass. It shares a root of trust with secure device provisioning.

needCode uses atomic A/B (dual-bank) updates with automatic rollback, so a device that loses power or connectivity mid-update - or receives a bad image - falls back to the known-good version instead of bricking. The update only commits once the new image boots and verifies. This is the engineering that lets OTA be safe on a device already in the field.

Yes - needCode has shipped network-wide OTA across a 1,000-node BLE mesh without taking the network offline, as part of the world's first certified BLE Mesh stack. Updating a mesh at that scale is the hardest version of the OTA problem. A simpler fleet of direct-connected devices is well within the same capability.

Yes - needCode rolls updates out in stages, canary first and then waves, with telemetry on success, failure, and version state across the fleet. Staged rollout means a bad image is caught on a small group and halted, instead of becoming a fleet-wide outage. Monitoring gives a clear picture of what version is where.

Yes - needCode can design and retrofit an OTA system into an existing product, including the bootloader, A/B partitioning, secure delivery, and rollout management. The work usually starts with an architecture audit to find the security and reliability gaps. Retrofitting OTA safely is a common reason teams bring needCode in.

needCode engineers OTA for the real network, using delta updates to minimise transfer, and handling intermittent connectivity and low-bandwidth links, including BLE mesh. The update has to complete reliably over the network the product actually uses, not an ideal one. Mesh and constrained-network OTA is a demonstrated capability.

Yes - over-the-air updates are central to a software-defined vehicle, covering security patches, feature delivery, and ECU updates across the vehicle's long life. needCode brings the secure, atomic, recoverable OTA an automotive programme's safety and security requirements demand. It is one of the highest-stakes applications of the capability.

Provisioning is the secure birth of a device - its identity and keys - and OTA is its secure life, and the two share the same root of trust. needCode builds both, so the keys established at provisioning are the keys that authenticate every update. Treating them as one lifecycle is what keeps a fleet trustworthy end to end.

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.