X-UWB™ – Extendend Automotive UWB Platform
Scalable Architecture for Access, Interior and Exterior Sensing
X-UWB™ – Beyond Ultra-wideband
One UWB Sensor Infrastructure. Multiple Vehicle Functions.
X-UWB™ extends current automotive UWB-based (A) secure car access into a multifunctional sensing platform. Enabled by the new UWB radar mode, it expands beyond secure access into additional application domains: (B) in-cabin sensing, (C) exterior sensing and (D) car-to-infrastructure applications.
Designed for OEMs, suppliers and UWB chipset partners, X-UWB™ helps transform existing UWB infrastructure into a scalable platform for software-defined vehicle functions, sensor consolidation and future feature differentiation.
The Current Evolution of UWB
UWB is already in the car.
X-UWB™ unlocks what comes next.
No Relay Attacks Anymore – Why UWB Has Become Mandatory
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.
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 mandatory component in modern vehicles.
From Secure Access to Scalable Sensing
Since 2024/2025, new generations of UWB chipsets introduce an additional capability: UWB Radar. UWB is no longer limited to localization and distance measurement (UWB Ranging). The same sensors can also perform radar-based sensing functions.
UWB Ranging and UWB Radar operate in interleaved mode, meaning both functions run simultaneously on the same hardware. This significantly expands the range of vehicle sensing applications built on existing UWB infrastructure. 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.
UWB Can Do Radar Now
New UWB chipsets (2024/2025) introduce radar capabilities in addition to localization and distance measurement.
New UWB chipsets (2024/2025) introduce radar capabilities in addition to localization and distance measurement.
Interleaved Mode
UWB Ranging and UWB Radar run simultaneously on the same sensor, enabling sensing and localization in parallel on one sensor hardware.
UWB Ranging and UWB Radar run simultaneously on the same sensor, enabling sensing and localization in parallel on one sensor hardware.
New Possibilities
On the already installed UWB sensors, now additional sensing functions can be supported.
Examples: occupant detection, kick sensing, child presence detection, etc.
On the already installed UWB sensors, now additional sensing functions can be supported.
Examples: occupant detection, kick sensing, child presence detection, etc.
X-UWB™ Platform
Existing UWB infrastructure is transformed into a scalable sensing platform for multiple vehicle applications (Car Access, In-Cabin & Exterior Sesning, Car2Infrastructure).
Existing UWB infrastructure is transformed into a scalable sensing platform for multiple vehicle applications (Car Access, In-Cabin & Exterior Sesning, Car2Infrastructure).
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.
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 & Localization
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.
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
UWB radar can support cabin-related sensing functions by detecting presence, movement and vital-sign-related micro-movements inside the vehicle.
Explore UWB In-Cabin Sensing (Link zu UWB – In-Cabin Sensing subpage)
UWB radar can support cabin-related sensing functions by detecting presence, movement and vital-sign-related micro-movements inside the vehicle.
Explore UWB In-Cabin Sensing (Link zu UWB – In-Cabin Sensing subpage)
Exterior Sensing & Gesture Recognition
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.
Explore UWB – Gesture Control (Link zu UWB – Gesture Contro subpage)
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.
Explore UWB – Gesture Control (Link zu UWB – Gesture Contro subpage)
Car-to-Infrastructure Localization
UWB 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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