X-UWB™ – Extended UWB Automotive Platform
Scalable Architecture for Access, Interior and Exterior Sensing
X-UWB™ – Beyond Ultra-wideband
One UWB Sensor Infrastructure.
X-UWB™ introduces a platform approach for the next generation of automotive UWB systems. It builds on the UWB infrastructure already entering vehicles for secure car access and extends its role beyond opening and locking the vehicle. With radar-capable UWB chipsets, interleaved operation and the right software layer, the same vehicle nodes can evolve from dedicated access hardware into a shared sensing and communication foundation. The graphic below shows how this existing infrastructure can be reused and expanded step by step, from established UWB-based secure access toward a broader X-UWB™ platform for software-defined vehicle functions.
Multiple Vehicle Functions.
X-UWB™ enables the same UWB sensor infrastructure to support multiple application domains: in-cabin sensing (including child-presence detection, intrusion detection system and occupant detection system), exterior sensing (including obstacle recognition, kick trunk-opener and parking assistant) and car-to-infrastructure (including EV-charging infrastructure, automated gates and parking garage applications). For OEMs, suppliers and UWB chipset partners, this creates a scalable path to unlock new features, consolidate dedicated sensors and differentiate future vehicle architectures. Additional potential benefits include lower system complexity, BOM, mounting, testing, wiring and ECU-related effort.
The Current Evolution of UWB
UWB is already in the car.
X-UWB™ unlocks what comes next.
State of the Art – UWB in Vehicles
Keyless access systems made vehicle entry more convenient – but traditional proximity-based systems also introduced a major security challenge: relay attacks. In these attacks, the signal between the vehicle and the legitimate key is extended, making the car believe the key is nearby even when it is not physically present → car stolen.
Secure Car Access: UWB changed this security model since approximately 2020. Instead of estimating proximity based on signal strength, UWB can measure true physical distance using time-of-flight. This makes it possible to verify whether a keyfob or smartphone is actually within the defined access zone → no relay attacks anymore. As a result, UWB has become a key technology for secure vehicle access and is now a required component in modern vehicles.
Next Level – X-UWB™ unlocks new Sensing features
UWB Radar: Since 2024/2025, new generations of UWB chipsets have introduced radar-based sensing capabilities, meaning UWB is no longer limited to localization and distance measurement, also known as UWB ranging.
Interleaved mode: UWB Ranging and UWB Radar can run simultaneously on the same existing UWB nodes, using the already deployed vehicle infrastructure for both secure localization and radar-based sensing. This significantly expands the range of vehicle sensing applications without requiring additional dedicated sensors. The opportunity is clear: UWB can do more than secure access. X-UWB™ is the platform approach that makes this potential usable across vehicle architectures.
X-UWB™ – new sensing features: With the help of algorithms UWB radar can be turned into sensing functions. Radar-capable UWB nodes create new signal data, but the real system value comes from how this data is processed and interpreted. X-UWB™ adds the software layer, algorithms and vehicle-specific signal processing needed to turn UWB radar information into functional automotive features. This enables one shared UWB infrastructure to support multiple sensing applications, including Child Presence Detection, seat occupancy, vital signs monitoring, intrusion detection, kick gesture recognition and exterior awareness. Instead of adding a dedicated sensor for every new function, X-UWB™ extracts more value from the nodes already installed in the vehicle. The result is a scalable feature set that connects secure access, localization and sensing within one extended UWB platform.
X-UWB™ – Extended UWB Automotive Platform
One Platform. Scalable Functions. SDV-Ready.
1. Architecture – Unified UWB Platform. X-UWB™ transforms Ultra-Wideband from a single-function technology into a vehicle-wide platform. By combining localization, sensing and future UWB-based applications on a common architecture, it establishes a shared foundation for scalable vehicle functions and software-defined feature deployment.
2. Hardware – One UWB Foundation. Built on distributed UWB nodes integrated via ECU or domain controllers, X-UWB™ establishes a common hardware infrastructure across the vehicle. The same hardware layer can be reused across multiple functions, reducing dedicated sensor deployments and enabling efficient platform integration.
3. Software – Fusion-Ready Algorithm Layer. A comprehensive software layer integrating ranging, localization, tracking, occupancy sensing, gesture recognition, vital sign monitoring and radar perception algorithms. These reusable software building blocks enable multiple vehicle functions on a shared platform, delivering strong algorithmic perception performance, context awareness and system robustness. Additionally, sensor fusion with complementary sensing technologies can further enhance these capabilities.
4. Deployment – Software-Defined & Scalable. UWB ranging and UWB radar operate on the same infrastructure and can be configured through software logic, enabling flexible feature activation and scalable deployment across vehicle platforms, sensor configurations and trim levels.
X-UWB™ – Antenna Mounting Topologies
Classic topology (established vehicle baseline): The Figure shows six UWB nodes positioned around the vehicle, which represents the A: Classic setup as the proven foundation in current vehicles for secure access (keyfob/phone-as-key localization, orange dottet lines). X-UWB™ builds on this existing UWB sensor infrastructure by enabling the recently available UWB radar mode (red circles around the same UWB nodes). This extends its functional scope beyond access-oriented use cases, such as in-cabin (child presence detection, intrusion detection or seat occupancy detection) or exterior sensing (kick gesture or obstacle detection).
A: Classic Setup
Flexible X-UWB™ antenna topologies: In addition to the A: Classic Setup, X-UWB™ provides alternative antenna topologies to optimize UWB node mounting positions and utilize the radar field of view as effectively as possible (e.g. D: Advanced Setup, with interior and exterior coverage enabled by B-pillar mounting). At the same time, sensor reduction can lower BOM cost (e.g. B: Minimal Setup, reduced to three UWB nodes). The system also supports sensor-fusion options to optimize overall vehicle perception (e.g. C: Minimal + Fusion Setup and E: Classic + Fusion Setup, with camera sensor fusion). Further topologies with more or fewer UWB nodes are possible where they provide OEM packaging advantages or enable dedicated UWB sensing features.
B: Minimal Setup
C: Advanced Setup
D: Minimal + Fusion Setup
E: Classic + Fusion Setup
Business Case – X-UWB™ reduces BOM
Fewer Dedicated Sensors. Lower Cost. More Functions.
Traditional Sensor Setup – Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly sensor-heavy. New comfort, safety and access functions often require additional dedicated sensor modules, interfaces, wiring, packaging space and validation effort. While each individual sensor may solve a specific function, the overall vehicle architecture becomes more fragmented.
X-UWB™ Platform – X-UWB™ addresses this challenge with a platform based approach. Instead of adding a separate sensor system for every new function, X-UWB™ consolidates multiple access, sensing and localization capabilities onto a shared UWB backbone. The platform can reuse already planned or installed UWB infrastructure and extend its role through radar-based sensing, software-defined feature logic and topology-specific configuration.
Business Value – For OEMs and suppliers, this creates value on several levels: reduced sensor diversity, lower integration complexity, scalable feature packaging and a clearer path to reuse across vehicle lines. Depending on vehicle topology, feature scope and integration strategy, X-UWB™ can contribute to lower system complexity and configuration-dependent cost potential.
X-UWB™ – 4 Application Domains
X-UWB™ connects multiple vehicle-related application areas through one shared UWB platform approach. While the Hero visual introduces the overall X-UWB™ landscape, this section explains the main application domains and guides visitors toward more technical deep dives. The key idea is not that every vehicle needs every feature from day one. Instead, X-UWB™ enables OEMs, suppliers and UWB chipset partners to evaluate which access, sensing and localization functions make sense for a specific vehicle platform, trim level or roadmap.
Secure Access
with UWB RangingUWB ranging enables precise, position-aware access for keyfobs and mobile devices – supporting secure unlock, phone-as-key concepts and zone-based localization around the vehicle.
UWB ranging enables precise, position-aware access for keyfobs and mobile devices – supporting secure unlock, phone-as-key concepts and zone-based localization around the vehicle.
In-Cabin Sensing
with UWB RadarUWB radar can support cabin-related sensing functions by detecting presence, movement and vital-sign-related micro-movements inside the vehicle.
UWB radar can support cabin-related sensing functions by detecting presence, movement and vital-sign-related micro-movements inside the vehicle.
Exterior Sensing
with UWB RadarUWB radar can support exterior near-field sensing around the vehicle – enabling gesture-based interaction, movement detection and comfort functions such as hands-free trunk opening.
UWB radar can support exterior near-field sensing around the vehicle – enabling gesture-based interaction, movement detection and comfort functions such as hands-free trunk opening.
Car-to-Infrastructure
with UWB RangingUWB ranging can support precise localization between vehicles and infrastructure – for applications such as EV charging alignment, smart garages, automated gates and parking environments.
UWB ranging can support precise localization between vehicles and infrastructure – for applications such as EV charging alignment, smart garages, automated gates and parking environments.
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