A platform for high accuracy real-time tracking of dynamic multi-objects using auto-positioning and artificial intelligence to increase safety in construction sites

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Construction has one of the highest rates of injuries and fatalities among all industries in Canada. Real-time locating systems (RTLS) have proven to be able to alleviate safety issues by increasing situational awareness of workers. Ultrawide Band (UWB) tracking systems have shown a high potential for precise tracking of dynamic objects in indoor environments due to their high accuracy, high signal penetration properties, and low power consumption. However, due to the requirement for onerous measurements at installation, the need for cable connectivity, and high cost, their widespread use for precision tracking in workplace environments has been a long-standing challenge. The objective of the proposed study is to develop an accurate, lithe, inexpensive, and easy-to-deploy platform for precise real time tracking of moving objects in indoor environments. The platform will use inexpensive, off-the-shelf two-way ranging UWB radios which drastically reduce the cost of tracking. The two-way ranging eliminates the need for cable connectivity. Auto-positioning algorithms are used to eliminate the need for onerous calibration at installation. A newly developed filtering algorithm will be used to enhance the accuracy of auto-positioning to the similar or better accuracy that is achieved with calibration. Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques will be used to overcome the impact of time latency error that is important in tracking moving objects. The functionality and accuracy of the proposed location estimation platform will be measured in the lab environment, and it will be iteratively calibrated to achieve high accuracy. While the immediate end-user for the platform is the construction industry, there is a strong potential and demand for precise real-time tracking of moving multi-objects in other industries where real-time situational awareness of dynamic resources (e.g. people or equipment) can enhance safety, security and productivity; e.g. tracking valuable moving resources in healthcare facilities, tracking patients in senior citizen facilities, or tracking equipment on manufacturing floors. The platform can offer a competitive edge to various Canadian industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and robotics.