Centimetre-level indoor positioning for robots – without building an RF team

Q: Can needCode provide centimetre-level indoor positioning for our robot?

Yes - needCode designs UWB real-time location systems with centimetre-level accuracy, including anchor infrastructure and TDOA/AoA/TWR ranging, for humanoid and autonomous robots that need precise location where GPS is unavailable. The system is NLOS-resilient and GPS-denied capable, and we tune achievable accuracy to your actual environment rather than a datasheet figure. As the largest dedicated UWB team in Central Europe and a certified Qorvo partner, positioning is our core discipline.

Q: How does UWB positioning work indoors where GPS doesn't?

UWB measures distance by time-of-flight between tags and fixed anchors, which gives centimetre-grade ranging that works indoors where satellite signals cannot reach. needCode builds the full system - anchor placement, TDOA/AoA/TWR algorithms, and NLOS handling - so a robot has reliable location inside warehouses, factories, and hospitals. Because UWB uses precise timing rather than signal strength, it resists the multipath and interference that defeat other indoor methods.

Q: Do you do sensor fusion (UWB + IMU + LiDAR) for robot navigation?

Yes - needCode fuses UWB ranging with IMU and LiDAR odometry to produce robust pose estimation, because no single sensor is reliable on its own. UWB anchors absolute position, the IMU bridges short gaps and fast motion, and LiDAR odometry adds local structure, with edge inference for on-robot decisions. This is the difference between an occasional position fix and navigation you can act on.

Q: We have no UWB or RF team - can needCode be that team?

Yes - that is exactly the gap needCode fills for robotics companies. Most robotics teams are world-class at ML and mechatronics but have never staffed RF and positioning, and building that bench in-house takes months better spent on the robot. We supply it as a feasibility study, a full RTLS and sensor-fusion build, or a dedicated embedded wireless team integrated with your program.

Q: Does your positioning work in warehouses and factories with metal and interference?

Yes - needCode has deployed UWB reliably in environments with heavy machinery, metallic structures, and significant RF interference, the conditions where most wireless positioning fails. UWB's time-of-flight approach and our NLOS handling are designed for exactly these spaces, which is where autonomous robots typically operate. We validate achievable accuracy on-site before committing to numbers.

Q: Can you support multi-robot or fleet coordination?

Yes - needCode designs BLE and BLE Mesh networks for multi-robot coordination. The mesh engineering behind it is proven at 1,000 nodes with 99.9% delivery in commercial building deployments - our team co-authored Bluetooth SIG mesh specifications and delivered the world's first certified BLE Mesh stack - and the same discipline applies directly to robot fleets. The same positioning infrastructure supports fleet-wide location and coordination at scale.

Q: How do you handle cloud AI offload and on-robot edge AI?

needCode uses WiFi 6E/7 for high-throughput offload of perception and model inference to the cloud, and on-robot edge ML where latency or connectivity demands local processing. We design the multi-radio coexistence so positioning, human-robot comms, and cloud offload do not interfere with each other. Edge inference platforms such as Ambiq Apollo and Google Coral/Astra are part of the toolkit.

Q: Do you integrate with ROS / ROS 2?

needCode delivers the wireless and positioning layer and integrates it with your robotics middleware, including ROS 2, exposing position and sensor data into your stack rather than replacing it. Our depth is in the UWB, sensor-fusion, and connectivity layers beneath autonomy.

Q: Which UWB chipsets do you support for robotics?

needCode supports the UWB silicon used for precision robot positioning, including Qorvo QM33 and QM35 and legacy Decawave DW1000/DW3000, alongside platforms from Nordic, NXP, ST, and Infineon. As a certified Qorvo partner with 9 hardware-platform bring-ups completed, we start from chipset-level knowledge. We also provide a dedicated UWB protocol sniffer for interop debugging that the silicon vendors do not offer.

Q: How accurate is UWB positioning for a moving robot, really?

Static accuracy is at the centimetre level, and real-world accuracy for a moving robot depends on anchor density, environment, and update rate - which is why we run an on-site study before quoting numbers. Sensor fusion with IMU and LiDAR odometry maintains pose between UWB updates and through brief NLOS conditions. We give realistic figures for your deployment rather than best-case lab numbers.

needCode is the wireless and positioning partner for humanoid and autonomous robotics companies. When a robot needs centimetre-grade location where GPS fails, sensor fusion to navigate, and connectivity to talk to people and the cloud - but the team is built for ML and mechatronics, not RF - we are the UWB and wireless bench you don't have to hire. Centimetre-level UWB RTLS, UWB + IMU + LiDAR fusion, NLOS-resilient, GPS-denied.

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See the robotics wireless stack

We work with Industry Leaders

A robot that can't locate itself indoors can't act autonomously

Humanoid and autonomous robots are extraordinary at perception and control — and almost universally weak at one thing: knowing precisely where they are once GPS is gone. Inside a warehouse, a factory, or a hospital, the positioning problem becomes an RF problem: UWB ranging, anchor infrastructure, sensor fusion, NLOS resilience. That is a discipline most robotics teams have never staffed, and cannot ramp without pulling focus off the robot itself.

needCode is that discipline as a team. We have brought up UWB across 9 hardware platforms, built centimetre-level RTLS, and fused UWB with IMU and LiDAR odometry for navigation — so your engineers stay on autonomy while we own the wireless layer beneath it.

Positioning

GPS stops at the door. UWB delivers centimetre-level, NLOS-resilient location indoors — the layer autonomy is built on.

Fusion

No single sensor is enough. UWB + IMU + LiDAR odometry holds pose where any one source drifts or drops out.

The team gap

World-class at ML, no RF bench. Standing up a UWB team in-house is months you'd rather spend on the robot.

Four wireless layers under an autonomous robot

Autonomy rides on a wireless stack most robotics teams don't build. We own all four, so yours doesn't have to.

UWB Indoor Positioning (RTLS)

End-to-end real-time location: anchor infrastructure, TDOA/AoA/TWR algorithms, centimetre-level accuracy, NLOS-resilient and GPS-denied.

Indoor Positioning (RTLS)

Ultra-Wideband

UWB RTLS Design & Deployment

Sensor Fusion & Navigation

UWB fused with IMU and LiDAR odometry for robust pose estimation where any single source drifts, with edge inference for on-robot decisions. The difference between a position fix and reliable navigation.

Sensor Fusion & Navigation

BLE Human-Robot & Fleet Comms

BLE for human-robot interaction, proximity, and short-range control; BLE Mesh as the coordination layer for robot fleets - built on mesh engineering we proved at 1,000 nodes and 99.9% delivery in commercial building networks. The layer where robots talk to people and to each other.

BLE Mesh at Scale

BLE

WiFi Cloud & Edge AI Offload

WiFi 6E / 7 for high-throughput offload of perception and model inference to the cloud, with on-robot edge ML where latency demands it. Multi-radio coexistence so positioning, comms, and offload don't fight for spectrum.

WiFi

Multi-Protocol / Coexistence

Building a robot but not an RF team?

Book a discovery call with our CEO

Book a discovery call

Why robotics teams bring in needCode

The largest dedicated UWB team in Central Europe

Positioning is our core discipline, not a side capability. We understand both the reach and the limits of UWB, so you get a realistic accuracy figure for your environment — not a datasheet number that evaporates on the floor.

Proven in the environments robots actually work in

We've deployed UWB where heavy machinery, metallic structures, and RF interference defeat other systems. Robots live in exactly those spaces, and that is where most positioning approaches quietly fail.

Fusion, not just ranging

We combine UWB with IMU and LiDAR odometry and edge ML, because robust robot pose comes from fused sources, not a single radio. Ranging gets you a number; fusion gets you navigation.

Certified Qorvo partner

Direct access to the UWB silicon (QM33 / QM35) and the roadmap behind robotics positioning, so your bring-up starts ahead of the public SDK, not behind it.

Four ways to bring needCode in

From a site survey to a standing wireless squad.

We match the engagement to where the robot is in its journey.

01 Positioning Feasibility & Site Study

Duration:
2–4 weeks
Best for:
Validating achievable accuracy and an anchor plan in your real environment before committing
Deliverable:
Accuracy assessment, anchor/site plan, integration path, leadership readout

02 RTLS Design & Sensor-Fusion Build

Duration:
Phased
Best for:
Taking positioning from concept to working navigation on target hardware
Deliverable:
Anchor infrastructure, ranging algorithms, UWB + IMU + LiDAR fusion, test results

03 Productization & Fleet Scale-Up

Duration:
Phased
Best for:
Moving from a single robot to a coordinated fleet
Deliverable:
Multi-robot coordination, OTA, reliability hardening, certification support

04 Embedded Wireless Team

Duration:
Multi-year, retainer-based
Best for:
Robotics companies who want a dedicated positioning/RF squad inside their program
Deliverable:
An embedded wireless team in your cadence — the model behind the 30-FTE Qorvo programme

What we ship on

We pick the silicon, sensors, and stack that match your robot and its environment.

Fusion & edge AI

IMU

LiDAR odometry

sensor fusion

embedded ML

Ambiq Apollo

Google Coral / Astra

Silicon

Qorvo QM33 / QM35

Nordic

NXP

STMicroelectronics

Infineon

legacy DW1000 / DW3000

Positioning

UWB (IEEE 802.15.4z / 4ab)

TDOA

AoA

TWR

FiRa

Connectivity & integration

BLE 5.4 / 6.0

BLE Mesh

WiFi 6E / 7

multi-radio coexistence

Zephyr

FreeRTOS

integration with your robotics middleware (e.g. ROS 2)

Case studies

needCode doesn't publish robotics logos. What we can show is the UWB and sensor-fusion capability robot positioning is built on.

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

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.

Check our performance

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.

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

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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!”

Matas Petrikas

CEO & Co-founder at Vai Kai UG

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FAQ

Yes - nneedCode designs UWB real-time location systems with centimetre-level accuracy, including anchor infrastructure and TDOA/AoA/TWR ranging, for humanoid and autonomous robots that need precise location where GPS is unavailable. The system is NLOS-resilient and GPS-denied capable, and we tune achievable accuracy to your actual environment rather than a datasheet figure. As the largest dedicated UWB team in Central Europe and a certified Qorvo partner, positioning is our core discipline.