Real-time locating systems (RTLS) in future factories: technology review, morphology and application potentials

Abstract

Real-time location systems (RTLS) allow a spatial and time related tracking of objects in their environment. An increasing number of technologies and providers are available nowadays. Besides applications in e.g. healthcare and general logistics, RTLS bear also interesting potentials in context of factories. Some manufacturing related use cases can already be found in research and industrial practice. While overcoming an isolated perspective on single solutions, this paper aims at providing a structured overview and common understanding on technological potentials and challenges. Based on that, a systematic design of RTLS based solutions is enabled.

Topics & Concepts