LOCATE | Localisation technologies for industry

Making industrial localisation accessible and reliable

With the rise of Industry 4.0, the need for accurate localisation of assets and products is rapidly increasing. However, adoption remains limited due to uncertainty around technology selection, implementation costs and return on investment. 
LOCATE aims to overcome these barriers by making localisation technologies more accessible through practical tools, demonstrators and knowledge sharing.
 

Target group

The project primarily targets three groups:

• Manufacturing companies
  Aiming to further automate operations and requiring reliable localisation in complex environments (robot cells, warehouses) 
  Seeking better visibility on product and material flows but lacking the knowledge to select and deploy a localisation system
• Integrators
  Companies implementing localisation systems, looking to improve accuracy, robustness and deployment efficiency
• Technology providers
  Suppliers of localisation sensors and systems aiming to better align their solutions with industrial needs

Context

Many companies hesitate to adopt localisation technologies due to uncertainty around technology choice, cost and ROI, especially when lacking in-house expertise.

Technical challenges further complicate adoption: complex environments (metal, occlusions, narrow aisles) reduce performance, while deploying and calibrating infrastructure remains costly and time-consuming.

At the same time, requirements vary widely, from high-precision tracking in robotic cells to portable systems with fast calibration, making it difficult for companies and integrators to identify and implement the right solution.
 

Objectives & results

LOCATE aims to accelerate the adoption of localisation technologies in industry by simplifying their understanding, selection and deployment.

Key expected results:

• A casebook with practical use cases and ROI insights
• A localisation technology selection tool
• More robust, flexible and industry-ready localisation solutions
• Accessible demonstrators for testing and validation
• Broad knowledge transfer through workshops, training and practical content
   

Approach

LOCATE follows a structured and application-driven approach, combining technology evaluation, experimentation and knowledge transfer.

The project starts by analysing industrial use cases to identify requirements and constraints across different environments. Based on these insights, relevant localisation technologies are evaluated and compared.

Practical tools and demonstrators are then developed to test solutions in real conditions and assess their performance, robustness and scalability.

Finally, the results are translated into actionable guidelines, selection tools and training activities, enabling companies and integrators to make informed decisions and accelerate the deployment of localisation solutions.
 

Funding

• Funding agency: VLAIO
• Project type: COOCK+
• Contract number: VLAIO HBC.2025.0631
• Funding level:  100% funded