Apple recently announced AirTags, which they describe as:
AirTag is a supereasy way to keep track of your stuff. Attach one to your keys, slip another in your backpack. And just like that, they’re on your radar in the Find My app, where you can also track down your Apple devices and keep up with friends and family.
These use a wireless communications technology called ultra wideband, or UWB.
Like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, ultra-wideband is a short-range, wireless communication protocol.
But unlike its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it operates at very high frequencies and can be used to very quickly (nanoseconds) capture highly accurate spatial and directional data.
The way it works is once UWB enabled objects are near each other, they start "ranging" - sending short pulses (two nanoseconds) back and forth between each object.
This pulsing provides highly accurate tracking information, including motion and relative position, including height (z-axis).
So you can think of UWB as a very accurate (within 1/2 inch) short-range GPS that works both indoors and outside.
CNET's Apple AirTags rely on UWB. Here's how ultra wideband will make your life easier covers a range of potential future applications, so we won't bother repeating their work.
But it's clear UWB could enable a wide range of new and interesting consumer and business applications and services.
But one application they didn't cover is UWB provides the speed, accuracy and motion detection capabilities to enable doors to open and close like they do in Star Trek.
We wouldn't consider that a world changing application, but it would be fun.
