FORT Robotics adds long-range Bluetooth low energy to safe control systems

Provider of safe control systems for robots and mobile machines FORT Robotics recently announced the launch of its new long-range Bluetooth capability.

This feature is immediately available for FORT's newest Safe Remote Control Pro and Endpoint Controller products, providing customers with enhanced operational safety, enabling them to achieve reliable wireless safety over longer distances and use their machines globally without complex radio certifications.

FORT's new capability uses globally-compatible Bluetooth low energy (BLE) 5.2 wireless communication in a highly-specialized industrial implementation. By leveraging a transmission power that is 10 times higher than typical BLE modules (+17 dBm), FORT said its devices can reliably communicate over significantly longer ranges.

Higher-power Bluetooth transmissions for dense deployments

As autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and humanoids increasingly operate alongside human workers in crowded environments, the need for universal, reliable wireless safety communication has become critical. While traditional radio technologies often struggle with interference or are restricted by regional frequency licenses, FORT’s system is globally available.

"For our customers scaling into new territories, radio certification is often the single biggest hurdle that delays their international expansion," said Nathan Bivans, FORT Robotics CTO. "By utilizing the universally accepted BLE 5.2 standard, we are eliminating a major friction point. This allows machine builders to dramatically simplify their compliance processes and rapidly deploy their technology across all major international markets, ensuring their fleet is both productive and globally compliant."

This advanced design, which incorporates isochronous channels to transmit time-sensitive safety data, can deliver three core benefits for industrial users:

• Extended range - Customers can control machines over longer distances with an estimated wireless range of 325 to 985 feet (100 to 300 meters), surpassing typical BLE ranges.
• Denser deployments - The technology is engineered for high-density environments like busy warehouses and manufacturing floors, allowing customers to operate multiple remote machine systems in close proximity with minimal risk of wireless interference.
• Global compliance - Bluetooth operation facilitates seamless international use, enabling FORT customers to simplify certification and deployment in key markets.