Fast Facts
- PHY Wireless and Ubiik unite private LTE/5G communications with precise positioning.
- Meter-level, on-device location uses existing networks—no separate positioning infrastructure.
- Low-power design can cut device consumption up to 10×.
- The platform supports asset tracking, workforce safety, automation and Physical AI.
One network, two jobs
PHY Wireless and Ubiik are combining private LTE and 5G networks with location technology. The aim is a single system for wireless communication and positioning, rather than separate networks for each task.
The companies say the platform can locate equipment, vehicles and workers with meter-level accuracy. It uses established 3GPP standards, which may help organizations add location services to existing network investments.
Location at the edge
GPS and Wi-Fi can struggle inside warehouses, factories and shipping containers. PHY Wireless’ system calculates location on the device, rather than relying on cloud processing. As a result, devices can request updates when needed, potentially reducing power use and network traffic. The companies say the approach can use up to 10 times less power than alternatives.
That could support inventory checks, safer workplaces and faster responses to misplaced equipment. It may also help robots and other automated systems interpret what is happening around them — a step toward “Physical AI,” in which software interacts with the real world.
Promise, with practical limits
Using existing LTE and 5G infrastructure could reduce costs and simplify deployments. Still, results will depend on the site, network design and device performance. Organizations will also need clear safeguards for location data, especially when tracking workers.
For everyday users, better visibility could mean fewer delays in hospitals, utilities and logistics. For researchers and industry, the partnership points to a broader shift: wireless networks may do more than carry data. They may also help systems sense and respond to the places where people work and live.
Continue Your Tech Journey
Stay informed on the revolutionary breakthroughs in Quantum Computing research.
Explore groundbreaking research and scientific advancements at the National Science Foundation (NSF).
IoTV1
