Ultra Wideband
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a short-range wireless radio technology using very wide bandwidths, typically 500 MHz or more per channel, to deliver real-time location systems with centimeter-level accuracy in indoor, GPS-denied industrial environments. In supply chain and manufacturing, UWB tags on pallets, tools, forklifts, and personnel provide continuous automatic location visibility, enabling precise material tracking, replenishment, and worker safety without deliberate scanning.
In a typical manufacturing plant, UWB anchors are mounted along receiving docks, storage aisles, production cells, and staging zones. Tags attached to pallets, totes, tools, raw-material carts, forklifts, and high-value work-in-process continuously emit position pulses, so supervisors see live locations on a floor map. Before a job starts, the system verifies that the right kit and raw material are at the correct station, preventing machine starvation. During production, WIP movement updates give a timestamped path from receiving through quarantine, putaway, and issue to the line. If a container drifts into the wrong zone or sits too long, the system flags it. In warehouses, UWB supports dynamic slotting and reduces search time by locating exact rack positions in dense or obstructed storage. The same infrastructure also coordinates AGVs and AMRs and supports geofenced safety alerts around forklift paths, which makes the environment more predictable and responsive.
Is UWB mainly for tracking or communication?
In industrial supply chain deployments, UWB is primarily used for tracking and positioning through real-time location systems, rather than for high-throughput data transfer. It remains a radio technology, but the value proposition is continuous automatic location visibility for assets, material flow, and worker safety.
Why use UWB instead of RFID or barcode?
UWB provides continuous automatic location updates without requiring a deliberate scan event. This is critical in high-SKU warehouses, for moving assets such as forklifts and AGVs, and for personnel safety use cases, where waiting for a manual scan would create latency and blind spots.
What operational metrics does UWB improve?
Reported improvements include faster asset search time, higher inventory accuracy, fewer stock discrepancies, faster order fulfillment, and better safety response in warehouse environments. When integrated with WMS/MES/ERP, UWB also supports dynamic slotting and line-side replenishment decisions.