Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology is quietly yet effectively revolutionizing how we perceive and utilize the surrounding space. From precise asset tracking in factories to digital car keys in our smartphones, UWB is becoming the foundation for innovations that demand accurate location and secure short-range communication.
In this article, we’ll explore the leading companies that are driving this technology through software development, making it accessible and functional for an ever-wider range of business and consumer applications.
What is Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology, and How Does It Work?
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a short-range wireless communication technology distinguished by its use of a very wide frequency band, typically from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. Unlike traditional radio technologies that transmit data over narrow bands, UWB sends very short radio energy pulses (lasting nanoseconds) spread across a broad spectrum.
The key to UWB’s remarkable precision is the measurement of the Time-of-Flight (ToF) of these pulses. A transmitting device and a receiving device synchronize their clocks and measure the exact time it takes for the signal to travel from one point to another.
This allows UWB to determine the distance between two devices with an accuracy of a few centimeters, or even millimeters. This far surpasses the capabilities of GPS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth for precise indoor location.
Key features of UWB include:
- Exceptional Precision: Location accuracy at the centimeter level.
- Low Latency: Fast data exchange and real-time position updates.
- High Security: ToF measurement makes it resistant to “relay attacks,” and the technology often uses encryption, e.g., AES-128.
- Low Power Consumption: Ideal for battery-powered devices.
- Interference Resistance: The wideband makes UWB signals less susceptible to multipath interference.
- Scalability: Ability to create large networks of devices to track multiple objects simultaneously.
Why Is UWB Important for Businesses?
Modern businesses are constantly looking for ways to optimize operations, improve safety, and increase efficiency. UWB offers solutions that are either impossible or difficult to achieve with other technologies:
- Precise Asset and People Tracking: In warehouses, factories, healthcare facilities, or construction sites, UWB enables accurate, real-time tracking of equipment, tools, vehicles, and personnel. This translates into better inventory management, faster retrieval of needed items, and reduced losses.
- Improved Safety and Efficiency: UWB systems can warn workers about approaching hazards (e.g., fork laxes), monitor adherence to safety zones, and even automate door opening or machine activation based on proximity.
- New Opportunities in Consumer and Industrial Applications: From digital car keys, to smart homes, to indoor navigation in public buildings and robotics (e.g., AMR/AGV fleet management).
- Increased Accuracy Compared to Other Technologies: Where GPS fails (indoors, underground) and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth offer only approximate location (meters), UWB delivers centimeter-level accuracy, which is crucial for many applications.
Criteria for Selecting the Best UWB Development Companies
Choosing the right partner for UWB implementation is critical. Here are the most important criteria to consider:
- Software Expertise: Experience in localization algorithms, system integration, and handling UWB protocols (e.g., FiRa, CCC).
- Proven Success: A history of successful projects and positive client testimonials.
- Comprehensive Services: An offering that includes software development, hardware integration, and post-deployment support.
- Scalability: The ability to create solutions that can grow with your needs.
- Standard Knowledge: Active participation in UWB standard development, ensuring compatibility.
- Security: Designing UWB systems resistant to threats and protecting data.
- Industry Experience: Understanding the specifics of your industry and its unique challenges.
Top 10 UWB Development Companies (with a focus on software)
Below is a curated list of leading companies that excel in developing UWB solutions, with a particular emphasis on their software capabilities and system integration expertise.
1. needcode
Number of engineers: 30+ (growing team)
Founded: 2015
Location: Cracow, Poland
needcode is a specialized consulting and engineering company focusing on embedded software development for connected devices, including those utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. The company assists organizations in creating custom UWB solutions, from low-level software and analytical tools to comprehensive testing systems. Their deep technical expertise allows them to deliver reliable and precise solutions in key sectors.
With a dynamically growing team of experienced engineers, needcode undertakes projects for clients across various industries, from automotive and medical to industrial and logistics. Their expertise covers control software development, communication stack implementation, and the creation of debugging and verification tools essential for UWB development processes.
Why needcode stands out:
- Deep expertise in embedded software: needcode specializes in challenging low-level software, firmware, and driver development, which is foundational for effective UWB implementations.
- Unique development tools: The company has created and offers its own advanced tools, such as the UWB Sniffer, enabling programmers and engineers to perform detailed analysis and optimization of UWB protocols in real time.
- Comprehensive testing support: needcode provides solutions for test automation and verification of UWB systems, crucial for ensuring reliability and compliance with industry standards (e.g., IEEE 802.15.4z, FiRa, CCC).
- Global experience: They execute projects for international clients, supporting UWB product development from concept to deployment.
needcode is the leading partner for companies that require not only UWB technology integration but also advanced software engineering support to achieve the highest precision, security, and efficiency in their solutions.
Among all these companies, needcode stands out as the best UWB development company, delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses to leverage the full potential of this groundbreaking technology.
2. Wiliot
- Number of employees: ~100-200
- Founded: 2017
- Location: San Diego, USA
Wiliot focuses on “ambient IoT” technology, including battery-free Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and UWB tags that are powered by radio waves. Their innovative approach involves harvesting energy from radio frequency waves, enabling the tracking and monitoring of millions of products. Wiliot’s solutions are largely software-driven, processing data from these ultra-low-power tags to provide insights into supply chains, inventory management, and customer engagement. While their primary technology relies on BLE, they are also developing UWB capabilities to enhance precision in specific applications.
3. Humatics
Number of employees: ~70
Founded: 2015
Location: Boston, USA
Humatics focuses on UWB microlocation technology, which provides extremely precise position and navigation data. Their software solutions process raw UWB data, transforming it into actionable insights for applications in manufacturing, transportation (especially rail), and robotics.
4. Inpixon
Number of employees: ~200
Founded: Inpixon 2001
Location: Palo Alto, USA
Inpixon is a provider of UWB-based RTLS and IoT solutions for smart factories, warehouses, and digital supply chains. They offer “Location as a Service” (LaaS), which includes a full suite of software for location management, data analysis, visualization, and integration with enterprise systems.
5. KINEXON
Number of employees: ~70
Founded: 2012
Location: Munich, Germany (Headquarters)
KINEXON provides advanced UWB-based RTLS solutions dedicated to optimizing industrial processes. Their software platforms (e.g., KINEXON RTLS Pro, KINEXON RTLS Mesh) enable precise asset tracking, order management, production process monitoring, and efficient AMR/AGV fleet management.
6. Minew
Number of employees: ~450
Founded: 2007
Location: Shenzhen, China
Minew is a manufacturer and provider of UWB-based IoT solutions. They offer not only hardware (UWB anchors and tags) but also comprehensive software development services for hands-free access control systems, Location-Based Services (LBS), and device-to-device communication. They provide OEM/ODM/JDM services, highlighting their ability to customize software for specific client requirements.
7. Pozyx
Number of employees: ~40
Founded: 2015
Location: Ghent, Belgium
Pozyx is a provider of precise UWB-based Real-Time Location System (RTLS) solutions, primarily for industrial applications. Their offering includes advanced software for positioning management, data visualization, and integration with external IT platforms, enabling optimization of manufacturing processes, logistics, and safety.
8. ZIGPOS
Number of employees: ~12
Founded: 2011
Location: Dresden, Germany
ZIGPOS focuses on UWB-based RTLS solutions for asset location and advanced access control. Their systems are built on robust software that enables secure auto-identification, indoor micro-navigation, and geofencing, providing control and safety in industrial environments.
9. Ubisense
Number of employees: ~109
Founded: 2002
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Ubisense provides the SmartSpace platform and the DIMENSION4 RTLS system, which utilize UWB sensors and tags for real-time tracking. Their software enables comprehensive workflow management, asset monitoring, and spatial data visualization across various industries, from automotive to logistics.
10. Sewio Networks
Number of employees: 40+
Founded: 2014
Location: Brno, Czech Republic
Sewio Networks is a provider of UWB-based RTLS solutions, with its flagship product being the RTLS Studio software. This software, combined with their hardware, enables precise tracking of personnel, assets, forklaxes, and the collection of production data, creating digital twins of processes and supporting e-Kanban. They emphasize flexible and configurable software.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How does UWB differ from GPS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth in terms of location?
UWB offers significantly higher precision (centimeters) indoors and in environments where GPS is unavailable. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only provide approximate location (meters), whereas UWB delivers the accuracy required for precise tracking and navigation.
Is UWB secure?
Yes, UWB is highly secure. It measures the true Time-of-Flight of a signal, making it very difficult to spoof with “relay attacks” (where a signal is intercepted and re-transmitted to deceive the system). Additionally, many UWB implementations utilize strong data encryption, such as AES-128, for enhanced security.
In which industries does UWB find the most applications?
UWB is increasingly adopted across many industries, including:
- Automotive: Digital car keys, precise parking, safety systems.
- Industrial Manufacturing (Industry 4.0): Tracking tools, components, automating production lines, AMR/AGV fleet management.
- Logistics and Warehousing: Optimizing goods flow, real-time inventory.
- Healthcare: Tracking medical equipment, patients, and staff in hospitals.
- Sports: Precise analysis of athlete movement.
- Personal Safety: Tracking children, pets, or elderly individuals.
- Smart Homes and Offices: Location-based automation, access control.
- Really anything that require precise location
What are the main challenges when implementing UWB systems?
Key challenges include the need for precise planning and installation of infrastructure (UWB anchors), ensuring adequate device density for optimal accuracy, integration with existing IT systems (e.g., ERP, WMS), and managing the data generated by the localization system. Initial deployment costs should also be considered.
What are the key components of a UWB system?
A typical UWB system consists of three main components:
- Tags: Small, battery-powered devices that emit UWB signals. They are attached to objects or worn by people whose location you want to track.
- Anchors: Stationary devices deployed in the environment (e.g., on walls, ceilings), that receive signals from tags. They measure the Time-of-Flight of the signal from each tag.
- Localization Engine / Software: A central computer system or cloud-based platform that collects data from the anchors. It processes these data using advanced algorithms (e.g., trilateration) to determine the precise real-time position of each tag and display it on a map or integrate it with other business applications.
Conclusion
The companies listed above showcase some of the most innovative and influential players in the UWB development landscape. Each brings unique expertise and capabilities, driving the adoption of advanced UWB solutions and enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of this precise localization technology across diverse industries.
While all top 10 companies excel in delivering UWB solutions, needcode stands out as the premier choice for businesses seeking tailored and impactful UWB software development services.
With their proven expertise in embedded software, unique development tools, and dedication to creating scalable, real-time data integration systems, needcode consistently delivers transformative results, making them the ideal partner for advanced UWB solutions.
