IoT service provider UnaBiz has launched the beta release of Sigfox Atlas Sparks, an addition to its geolocation suite designed to enhance asset tracking in the supply chain and logistics sector.

This service builds on the success of Sigfox Atlas Wifi ML.

Sigfox Atlas Sparks is a geolocation service that enhances UnaBiz’s location-based service capabilities with patented machine-learning algorithms. This service targets large fleets of asset trackers by improving the accuracy of Sigfox-only low-cost trackers through integration with a small fleet of smart wifi trackers.

With Atlas Sparks (www.sigfox.com/services/atlas), logistics players can enhance the accuracy of their entire fleet of trackers by equipping a fifth of them with smart WiFi trackers and the rest with simple, Sigfox-only low-cost trackers, without built-in geolocation capabilities. As data from both types of trackers are aggregated in the cloud, the machine-learning algorithms analyse their communication patterns. The simpler low-cost trackers are then clustered with the smarter wifi trackers based on their 0G radio signatures.

When 0G-only trackers are deployed, they begin transmitting data with their radio signatures. UnaBiz’s geolocation system matches these radio signatures with known patterns to locate simple low-cost trackers accurately. This approach ensures that even if only 20% of the assets are smart, users can still locate a mixed fleet of devices with a level of accuracy equivalent to previous implementations using 100% of smart trackers, enhancing data accuracy and optimising the entire fleet of trackers without incurring exorbitant costs.

This empowers asset owners to extend their reach and collect data from lower-cost assets including pallets, crates and parcels, using Sigfox-only low-cost trackers.

The service is compatible with existing options such as SeeGale Card, a reusable card-type device capable of detecting the location and opening status of products during transportation developed by Kyocera, and Alps Alpine’s Geri tracker, ensuring quick implementation with existing systems.

“We’re excited to be one of the first compatible with Sigfox Atlas Sparks,” said Yoshiaki Nagai, deputy general manager at Kyocera (www.kccs.co.jp). “UnaBiz’s continuous innovation in the Sigfox 0G technology, as well as geolocation AI, brings new value and confidence to our customers in the logistics and supply chain sector, enhancing our ability to deliver precise yet cost-effective asset tracking.”

Oliver Diezemann, senior product manager at Alps Alpine (www.alpsalpine.com), added: “We have experienced the success of the Sigfox Atlas Wifi ML and are looking forward to the next generation of Sigfox geolocation service. By leveraging AI and focusing on what is fundamentally essential, UnaBiz has reduced the TCO of large fleets by balancing low-cost Sigfox-only trackers with smart wifi trackers.”

And Alexis Susset, chief technology officer at Singapore-based UnaBiz (www.unabiz.com), said: “Sigfox Atlas Sparks demonstrates the transformative power of AI and machine learning, further advancing our world-leading suite of geolocation services. This innovation is unique to our global Sigfox 0G network; as we leverage its scale we gain access to high-quality datasets used to train geolocation AI models. Not only does this allow our logistics and supply chain customers to optimise their operations while greatly reducing costs, but it also enables them to do so while continuing to reduce environmental impact.”