Lightbug, the UK-based GPS and IoT manufacturer, has launched what it claims is the first fully autonomous real-time kinematic system capable of delivering centimetre-level positioning without human intervention.
The technology, called Unattended RTK, was released alongside the RH2, a new hardware platform designed specifically to operate with the system. Lightbug says the combination offers a plug-and-play alternative to traditional RTK set-ups, which typically require manual calibration, on-site base stations, and continuous oversight.
Unattended RTK automates the full workflow, including establishing virtual base stations, managing rover corrections, logging and transferring data, and handling SIM roaming. The company argues that this reduces both operational complexity and cost, potentially widening the use of high-precision positioning across sectors that have struggled to adopt RTK at scale.
The RH2 device pairs Lightbug’s hardware with RTK correction services from Swift Navigation. According to the company, the system can deliver accuracy of 1 cm in open-sky conditions and under 30 cm in more challenging environments. The device supports multiple radio technologies — including LoRa, Wi-Fi 6, UWB, LTE, and Bluetooth 5.3 — and offers more than 50 hours of battery life for multi-day deployments. Dual processors allow customers to run their own on-device applications.
Lightbug says the technology has already been tested in several commercial environments. In rail, the RH2 is reported to meet Network Rail’s 300 mm accuracy requirement, a threshold relevant for worker safety inside live corridors. In professional sports, the same positioning stack underpins PGA Tour fan-engagement features that track golf shots in real time.
The company argues that removing the need for human oversight could expand RTK into areas where the technology has previously been impractical, from mining and logistics to sports arbitration and large-scale asset monitoring.
“Unattended RTK sets a new standard for IoT location technology,” said Chris Guest, Lightbug’s Chief Executive. “Organisations will soon achieve unmatched precision without investing in complex infrastructure, or human oversight.”
Founded more than two decades ago, Lightbug has evolved from building GPS devices for law enforcement and industrial security to supplying tracking solutions across more than 60 countries. Its portfolio now spans worker safety, aviation, logistics, and energy applications, with a focus on long battery life and ruggedised performance.
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