Precision Tracking for Hazard Zones: New Tech Pushes Construction Safety to Sub-Meter Accuracy
15.06.2026 - 15:34:58 | boerse-global.de
Explosion-prone work environments in petrochemical plants, mines, and energy facilities are getting a new layer of digital protection. Serbian-IoT specialist Litum has launched its ATEX-certified product family for real-time location in Zones 1 and 2 — areas where even a small spark can be deadly. The system combines ultra-wideband (UWB) with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to pinpoint workers and equipment to within less than one meter.
“The systems close transparency gaps and improve emergency readiness,” said CEO Ozgur Ulku. The solution is designed to give site managers a live overview of who and what is in a dangerous area, cutting response times if something goes wrong.
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The announcement comes as the broader construction sector undergoes a quiet digital overhaul. In mid-June, the app PinMy was released for site managers and BIM coordinators. It lets them pin voice notes, photos, and videos directly onto digital plans or 3D models. Voice control works through work gloves, and the app automatically generates daily reports while recognizing text in photos. Developers say it is GDPR-compliant and already in use internationally.
Radio communication on site remains essential but is often neglected. An industry guide published in mid-June warns against cheap walkie-talkies. The critical factors are voice clarity when wearing hearing protection and resistance to interference from steel and concrete. Experts recommend choosing systems based on the specific job, not the price tag, and stress that headset integration and ease of use with protective gear determine whether workers actually adopt them.
Machinery is also becoming a data source. Zeppelin Rental expanded its fleet in mid-June with machines equipped with modern assistance systems and data standards. A mobile excavator comes pre-fitted for the MiC 4.0 standard, enabling communication between the machine and its attachment. Personnel hoists now include an IoT box that controls access via RFID and allows remote monitoring of load data. New wheel dumpers feature a rotating seat for ergonomics and safety, and they are compatible with HVO fuels.
Meanwhile, research is pushing into robotics for emergency response. The Technical University of Graz is developing a four-legged robot that firefighters can remotely steer into hazardous zones to take pollutant measurements, adding another layer of remote sensing to dangerous environments.
Tighter regulation accompanies the tech push. In the state of Saxony, construction site inspectors are desperately looking for staff. Authorities are focusing on projects with elevated risk and checking compliance with the Working Hours Act, as well as investigating the causes of serious workplace accidents. The combination of advanced location systems and stronger enforcement underscores a growing emphasis on prevention — not just reaction — in high-risk construction and industrial settings.
