IoT and Wifi Link-up Enables New Container Location Service

Here Technologies and Sigfox have partnered to deploy a global location service that they say will open new opportunities for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly in supply chain and logistics.

By integrating global coverage of wifi hotspots from Here Technologies with the Sigfox worldwide network and geolocation engine, industry and consumers will be able to locate their assets everywhere, both indoors (including inside factories warehouses and other buildings) and outdoors, without any additional infrastructure, regardless of the size and quantity of assets.

The use of IoT asset tracking solutions in the global supply chain and logistics sector could create $1.9 trillion of economic value, according to Cisco and DHL, the world’s largest logistics provider. However, Current Real Time Location Services (RTLS) solutions are not always viable due to high costs and short battery life constraints. The new partnership expands asset tracking opportunities for companies that could not previously afford geolocation services, says Here Technologies and Sigfox. 

The system is currently live for locating shipping containers as well as applications including air transport, luggage/trolley management, location of stolen/missing cars and industrial asset management.

Christophe Hamaide, Senior Account Executive at Here Technologies, said: “The Here Location Suite references billions of wifi hotspots, and through this joint initiative, we will be able to pinpoint the location of millions of connected objects all around the world in the coming years.”