Recent advancements in precise location technologies have taken significant strides recently, particularly through key partnerships and innovative products promising to revolutionize various industries. One notable collaboration involves Swift Navigation, renowned for its precise GNSS technology, and Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global frontrunner in IoT solutions. Together, they aim to deliver centimeter-level accuracy at competitive price points through the integration of Swift’s Skylark Precise Positioning Service with Quectel’s high-precision GNSS modules.
The Skylark service, which improves GNSS accuracy from several meters to just centimeters, utilizes advanced atmospheric modeling and operates over a carrier-grade network. This technological advancement offers reliable, scalable, and high-integrity precision suitable for diverse applications, including autonomous vehicles and intelligent driving systems. The impressive footprint of Skylark has already penetrated the market, with programs initiated to enable precise location for more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles worldwide. Swift Navigation has rolled out three different versions of Skylark—Skylark Cx, Skylark Nx RTK, and Skylark Dx—to cater to specific industry needs.
Quectel’s involvement brings forth its suite of high-performance GNSS modules, which enhances the functionalities of Skylark. These modules serve industries such as automotive and outdoor robotics, where precision is key. For example, the LG69T module, deployed with Skylark Cx, can deliver lane-level accuracy, contributing significantly to the safety and reliability of autonomous navigation. Similarly, the LG290P module combined with Skylark Nx RTK ensures robots, including those used for lawn mowing, can navigate dynamic environments with unprecedented precision.
Additional applications of these technologies extend to micromobility solutions, where customer safety and tracking accuracy are amplified using Quectel’s LC29H module. Designed with dead-reckoning capabilities, it achieves decimeter-level accuracy for tracking e-bikes and scooters, even within densely populated urban settings. Also catering to the drone industry, the LG290P module’s rapid update rate bolsters accurate navigation for fast-moving applications.
While the Swift-Quectel collaboration undoubtedly pushes boundaries, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has unveiled another exciting advancement—the G+D Smart Label. This ultra-thin tracking solution promises to transform any parcel or product packaging with IoT capabilities, allowing for cost-effective and versatile tracking across multiple applications, from parcel delivery to fleet management. Collaborative efforts with hardware partner Sensos have led to this innovative development, ensuring the product can meet diverse customer needs.
Weighing just slightly more than a credit card, the G+D Smart Label is equipped with motion sensors and GPS for accurate tracking, tested to provide sub-10m precision under ideal conditions. The solution is marketed as user-friendly, integrating hardware, IoT connectivity, and management software to simplify deployment for businesses. It also features customizable reporting frequencies and cloud-based configurations, giving users the comfort of monitoring their assets’ integrity at any time during the shipment process.
G+D has championed this technology’s versatility, offering practical applications ranging from tracking high-value luxury goods to managing fleet operations, where visibility and security are of utmost importance. One of the early adopters of this technology, Track & Pay, has innovatively integrated it with its B2B payment solutions. They've paired shipment tracking with payment processing, demonstrating the Smart Label's capacity to trigger payments automatically upon delivery—streamlining financial transactions and enhancing accountability.
Notably, G+D is committed to ensuring its solutions stand the test of time and market demand. Sharath Muddaiah, Head of Portfolio Strategy for IoT Solutions at G+D, asserts, "G+D has been dedicated to designing... and is the market leader of solar-powered trackers with over 180,000 connected devices." This testimony not only highlights G+D's ambition to lead but also emphasizes their established credibility within the industry.
Looking forward, the trend of combining precise location technologies with IoT applications shows immense potential. With the ability to offer groundbreaking solutions across several industries—ranging from agriculture and automotive to franchise logistics—these advancements not only support operational efficiencies but also herald the next wave of technology poised for mass-market adoption. The partnership between Swift Navigation and Quectel, along with G+D's Smart Label, signifies significant progress and innovation, setting the stage for enhanced capabilities and widespread usage of precise position technologies.