Blog Industry Technology

UWB Instead of Mobile Apps: This Is Why Companies Have One Big Advantage Over Governments

Martin Lawitzky is the Head of Product Management at KINEXON. With his team, he was deeply involved in the development of KINEXON SafeZone. His comparison of different technologies shows that when it comes to tech-based protection against infections, companies have an option that the public sector does not.

MunichJun 03, 2020

In the fight against COVID-19, the time has come for long-term solutions that are highly efficient. Signs and adhesive tape to avoid critical contact with others can no longer be categorized as sufficient protective measures. 

The observance of distance regulations and the tracing of infection chains (“exposure management”) must be solved digitally. That’s why countries all over the world are currently working on apps to trace chains of infection. 

The two questions that are being discussed on all levels at the moment:

  • How can we regulate the proposed physical distance — and thus reduce infection risks? 
  • How can critical contacts involving those infected with COVID-19 be identified quickly and unambiguously?

While governments around the world are collaborating with Apple and Google for apps that can provide digital answers to both questions, companies have a decisive advantage that most of them are not aware of: 

Companies can create areas that offer a level of security that no other non-private areas can — a safe zone” so to speak. The reason for this is that companies are able to rely on a technology that can only be implemented in limited areas. A nationwide deployment would not be possible for logistical reasons. I’m talking about the use of ultra-wideband technology.

With KINEXON SafeZone, we have developed and launched a UWB-based wearable, which offers companies of all kinds a concrete answer to these questions mentioned above. 

People wear small, 15 g light so-called SafeTags”, which immediately alert as soon as the distance to another person is too close. If there is a case of infection, an optional software extension allows companies to trace back the contact chain of the infected person (“contact tracing”) — 100 % compliant with data protection.

See in this video how precisely KINEXON SafeZone works:

Tracing Apps lack data protection, commitment and acceptance

Exposure management is what governments — and companies, too — want to realize with a mobile app (“tracing app”). However, the search for a reliable solution is complicated by two challenges: 

  • Data protection: Users (naturally) want to be sure that they cannot be tracked
  • Reliability: Contacts must be unambiguous and precisely identified

Even if such an app overcomes these challenges, it must be installed by every single person. In Singapore, where such an app is already in use, only about 20% of the population did so. The chance to really recognize a contact via smartphone drops to only 4%! It is safe to assume that the number of employees in a company choosing to install an app would be around the same number. 

What speaks for the app, speaks against it

It is obvious that governments think of mobile apps when they are looking for a digital solution. Nearly every citizen owns a smartphone. An app can be installed quickly and free of charge. Open source creates the confidence that confidential data is handled cleanly. The infrastructure for deployment is also excellent.

Even in companies where every employee already has a smartphone and is allowed to use it frequently at work (“Bring your own device”), still poses a challenge. This is precisely where one major weakness lies: private devices are private. They should remain private. A comparison of the available potential technologies for a distance warning and contact tracing solution shows that they all have significant weaknesses in overcoming the challenges of data protection and reliability:

Bluetooth is not reliable enough

Most of the app solutions that are currently being discussed are based on contact tracing via Bluetooth, as this is integrated in every smartphone anyway. As the inventors Jaap Haartsen and Sven Mattisson themselves point out, Bluetooth is not accurate enough. Deviations of up to 10 meters are possible due to attenuation or deflection of the radio waves by the surroundings.

Another problem is the dependence on operating systems: Apple’s iOS doesn’t allow Bluetooth to be used in the background, and in some Android versions Bluetooth is only usable when GPS is turned on and location data is being transmitted to Google. This is exactly what users refuse. Last but not least, parallel Bluetooth connections affect the contact stability of such an app.

GPS works (conditionally) only outdoors


GPS determines distances between people and contacts. However, the signal exchange with satellites requires users to be outside. Even if they are outside, surrounding tall buildings can distract the signal in such a way that inaccuracies of up to 100 meters can result. Plus, on average we spend more than 75% of our waking hours indoors.

WLAN works indoors, but eats battery and network


The alternative for the indoor stay could be WLAN tracking. After all, WLAN is available in (almost) every building and is similarly accurate to Bluetooth. The problem is different: WLAN tracking is a real battery eater. In addition, the network is under increased load.

Cell localization is useless when used nationwide


User positions can also be determined based on the mobile network and the use of text and telephone data. Although there are various technological options, only one of the simplest is available in all smartphones. These can even be miles off!

NFC reacts too late


NFC, or Near Field Communication, is much more accurate, even to the centimeter — but in the current version it can only measure distances in the centimeter range. Longer distances like 6 feet (1.8 meters) are possible, but not realiable enough for real-time warning or exposure management.

Audio signals are a solution — if there is no noise


Distances could also be determined accurately and reliably enough by means of high-frequency sounds and their reflection. Smartphones do not have this installed by default, but apps can retrofit. Its disadvantage: If the surrounding is too loud or sounds occur in the same spectrum, the measurement is distorted and useless.

UWB does not have these disadvantages — but needs sensors


One industry-proven technology that does not have all these weaknesses is ultra-wideband localization. This technology might not be a realistic option for public use. The simple reason: UWB sensors are not integrated in all smartphones. Only some of the latest smartphone models are equipped with them.

Not every UWB solution is the same!

UWB sensors alone are not enough. Ultra-wideband technology is only reliable and accurate when its data processing is as well. This requires many years of experience and compliance with an industry standard. 

At KINEXON, a leading supplier in this field, we filter all raw position data generated by our sensors in our own developed Real-Time-IoT software. This software detects disturbances in real time.

In short: The more position data is processed and the more intensively these algorithms are developed, the more accurate the distance warning and exposure management. 

With KINEXON, we offer the most intelligent UWB-based real-time solutions for various applications. Due to our long-time industrial experience, KINEXON algorithms are advanced on a level that our software is even used to correct third-party location data.

Our big plus: UWB wins in reliability AND data protection

To reliably protect employees, operational processes and create an acceptance for a digital solution among the workforce all at the same time, there is no better technology then ultra-wideband. Moreover, a very decisive point is often forgotten:

The UWB-based solution KINEXON SafeZone realizes contact tracing without tracking because it does not record any position or movement data. It only contacts with other sensors. If these need to be analyzed, the explicit consent of the sensor carrier is required.

(Author: Martin Lawitzky)

Learn more about KINEXON SafeZone

More stories

The University of Wyoming uses sports anlaytics from KINEXON to help provide their coaches and players with insights into their performance each week.
KINEXON Football Analytics Helping to Decrease Injuries at the University of Wyoming

Author: Dave Grendzynski

Eric Donoval, the Director of Sports Performance for the University of Wyoming football team, offers a unique perspective on how KINEXON football analytics are reshaping his program’s training methods.

How Mesh Locating Technology Boosts Asset Tracking and Management, Saving Production Time and Costs

With the innovative KINEXON Mesh locating system, we empower our customers to streamline their search efforts and effortlessly track and manage all assets. This comprehensive system offers a near real-time overview of assets, resulting in reduced costs caused by over and underutilization. By optimizing resource allocation, businesses can enhance production efficiency, making operations more cost-effective and resource efficient.

There are two people walking through a factory with a tablet an helmets on.
KINEXON Mesh: The Reasons Why Industrial Asset Tracking and Optimization Just Got Better

At KINEXON, we strive to provide our customers with the best solutions tailored to their needs and goals. Our latest innovation, KINEXON Mesh, is a game-changing technology in the world of IIoT. With Mesh, companies of any size can now more effectively track the location and connect industrial assets, optimizing shopfloor and warehouse operations like never before.

European handball player Cristina Neagu is the subject of a documentary that uses scientists from the sports analytics company KINEXON to try to figure out what makes her shot so hard to stop.
Sports Science Reveals the Secret Behind Cristina Neagu's Unstoppable Handball Shot

Is Cristina Neagu really the best handball player in the world? Red Bull put together a team, that included a sports scientist from KINEXON, to help answer this question. Here’s what they discovered.

The University of Louisiana football team practices while using player tracking devices that record data and provide analytics in football for the team.
How Football Analytics Rejuvenated the University of Louisiana's Training Regimen

Author: Dave Grendzynski

Coach Connor Neighbors, the University of Louisiana’s Director of Athletic Performance for Football, offers insights into how the Ragin’ Cajuns” partnership with KINEXON’s football analytics is transforming their training approach.

Basketball analytics are becoming a big part of the game plan for many coaches who are looking for an edge.
What Is Basketball Shot Load and Why Is It Important to Track?

Author: Gregory Bernstein

It’s a make-or-miss league.” This commonly heard phrase, repeated by coaches, players, and analysts worldwide, encapsulates the simple truth about basketball: if your shots go in, your team wins, and if they don’t, you lose. After countless hours of scouting, scheming, and statistical analysis, all the hard work only pays off if the ball goes through the basket. 

With KINEXON’s new shot tracking solution, we’re here to optimize your shooting drills and routines, ensuring your players are physically prepared to execute in the moments the game will be decided.

Volleyball analytics are becoming a large part of the decision-making process coaches go through with players and game strategy.
KINEXON Volleyball Analytics: A Revolution in Sports Data

In the age of digitization, volleyball is experiencing a shift. While instinct and intuition still play a vital role in team management and strategy, there’s an ever-increasing emphasis on analytics. 

But what kind of data can you pull? And what type of information can coaches glean from it? Let’s find out.

Display of the smart football with the KINEXON Tracking technology.
Sports Data Campus, KINEXON, and Sevilla FC Team Up to Improve Football Analytics

Author: Dr. Guilherme de Sousa Pinheiro

Sports technology is redefining many of the games we all love, including football. Analytics software is being studied and is ushering in a new era of sports. Thanks, in large part, to the Sports Data Campus, Sevilla FC, and ball tracking technology.

Basketball analytics software can be used to track a number of metrics from shooting percentage to a brand new data point called shot load.
How Shot Tracking Can Increase Success During Practice and In-Game

In the dynamic world of basketball, the margins between victory and defeat are razor-thin. As athletes strive for excellence, the significance of data-driven insights cannot be overstated. Shot statistics, generated by basketball analytics software, are a powerful tool that is revolutionizing how players, coaches, and trainers approach the game. 

This article explores the advantages of shot statistics, highlighting four key areas: the objective distribution and patterns of shots, the examination of shot choices, the pinpointing of strengths and weaknesses, and in-depth tactical analysis.

Sports performance analysis software is being used in many men's and women's sports to compile detailed information about players and teams.
The Advantages Sports Performance Analysis Software Provide for Coaches and Athletic Trainers

In the modern sports era, the ability to dissect every moment of a game or training session is no longer a luxury but a necessity. With the advancement of technology, sports performance analysis software has emerged as a vital tool for coaches and athletic trainers to refine strategies and optimize athlete performance. 

But what advantages can it offer players, coaches, and athletic trainers?

Video recordings are the newest way coaches are getting basketball analytics from practice or games.
COMPETE Vision: How KINEXON is Transforming Camera Tracking Technology and Basketball Analytics

Author: Jonas Bohner

As a basketball coach, you already know how vital the stat sheet is for you, your athletes, and the coaching staff. This might include box score stats such as rebounds, assists, and fouls. But most importantly, everyone is traditionally tracking shot statistics – points scored, 2‑point vs. 3‑point shots, makes vs. misses. Considering how shot statistics are tracked, what if you could capture and analyze the data without needing a wearable device or recording by hand?

Sports performance tracking technology is now being used to determine the maximum speed for football players in America and in Europe.
How Sports Performance Tracking Technology Can Improve Max Speed in Football

Football is a game of inches and can be the difference between victory and defeat; coaches and athletes are constantly seeking innovative ways to gain an edge. One of the most crucial aspects of the game is speed — the ability to cover ground quickly, change direction on a dime, and execute plays with precision. This is where the combination of sports performance coaches and cutting-edge technology come into play.

Woman in factory using Tool Control in Smarter Manufacturing
Why KINEXON is the Future of Tool Control in Smarter Manufacturing

In today’s rapidly evolving automotive industry, manufacturers must maintain a competitive edge by maintaining a critical balance between global customers’ demands and local governmental regulations on a single assembly line. Maintaining high production quality for premium automotive brands — with tremendously high flexibility — is a real challenge.

worker in manufactury with tools
How to Boost Manufacturing Quality and Accelerate Assembly Processes with KINEXON Assembly Tool Control

In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, maintaining production speed and quality is more crucial than ever to stay ahead of the competition. Each week brings news of innovative electric vehicle (EV) pioneers, raising the bar for established automotive manufacturers to deliver cutting-edge products within shorter production cycles. To meet this increasing market demand, production planners must maximize assembly speed while minimizing time-consuming and costly rework operations.

Team handball is an exciting sport but very hard on the body and can result in many injuries for players.
Sports Analytics: A Game-Changer for Injury Prevention in Team Handball

Team handball is a dynamic sport that requires agility, strength, and endurance. However, like any physical activity, it comes with the risk of injuries.

Fortunately, modern sports science, particularly sports analytics, is opening new avenues for injury prevention. Let’s explore how this data-driven approach is making handball safer for athletes.