A collaboration between the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork (UCC) and Maynooth University’s medtech SME Reivr Fusion has developed a next‑generation real‑time location system (RTLS) to track and manage critical medical equipment. Supported by Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Partnership Programme, the project produced an integrated sensor‑fusion platform combining ultra‑wideband (UWB) radio technology with AI‑enabled vision sensing.
Hospitals frequently struggle to locate mobile equipment, 80 per cent of which is shared across departments. Existing RTLS solutions rely on radio‑only tracking and often have difficult‑to‑use interfaces. This project set out to develop a simple, accurate and deployable system that would enable staff to instantly locate essential equipment and improve clinical workflow efficiency.
Led by Dr Miomir Todorovic, a team at Tyndall National Institute optimised the UWB architecture, evaluating chipsets and power consumption, to design compact hardware capable of one‑year battery life. The team worked on the UWB anchor node and UWB tag with secure ranging, an ePaper display, tactile inputs, and contactless charging. Reivr Fusion complemented this work by integrating a state‑of‑the‑art AI vision module, enabling spatial interpretation of equipment movement. The resulting Reivr Fusion Node merges visual and radio data to produce highly reliable, real‑time location information, with accuracy approaching 10 cm.
Pre-commercialisation
The collaboration produced a manufacturable RTLS demonstrator which is now ready for pre‑commercialisation. A hospital pilot is planned, involving installation of fixed sensors, tagging of up to 100 devices, and evaluation of improvements in operational efficiency. The project concluded with a technology licence agreement enabling Reivr Fusion to commercialise the Tyndall‑developed IP and bring the solution to market.
Recently, Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced a major expansion of Tyndall National Institute, which will double Tyndall’s footprint.
The Government has approved exchequer funding of more than €100 million to support the expansion and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has given approval for UCC to enter into a contract with the preferred contractor to deliver the development. The project is set to be delivered by the end of 2028.
The project will more than double the physical size and footprint of Tyndall National Institute through the construction of a new 17,500 square metre state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the existing institute in Cork.
The new development will include advanced laboratories, specialist research facilities, collaborative innovation spaces and enhanced facilities to support engagement with industry partners, start-ups and enterprise clients.
Making the announcement, the Taoiseach said: “Tyndall National Institute is a nationally significant asset that plays a critical role in connecting world-class research with industry and enterprise. This expansion will strengthen Ireland’s position in strategically important sectors, including semiconductors, and support economic growth and job creation for years to come.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, said: “Tyndall has built an outstanding reputation for translating research excellence into real-world impact through strong partnerships with industry and academia. This investment will build on that success, supporting new collaborations, developing talent and creating opportunities for innovation that will benefit our economy and society for years to come.”
Established in 2004 as a partnership between the Irish Government and University College Cork, Tyndall National Institute is Ireland’s largest dedicated research institute and one of Europe’s leading centres for information and communications technology research.
The expansion project has been developed in response to growing demand for Tyndall’s facilities and expertise. Capacity constraints at the existing site have increasingly limited opportunities for growth and expansion, particularly as Ireland seeks to build on its strengths in semiconductors and other deep-tech sectors.
Professor William Scanlon, CEO of the Institute, said: “This investment marks a major milestone for Tyndall and for Ireland’s wider research and innovation landscape. It reflects the Government’s strong commitment to ensuring Ireland remains globally competitive in strategically important areas such as semiconductors and advanced technologies.
“Tyndall’s campus expansion is a key pillar of our Tyndall 2030 strategy and underpins our ambition to strengthen Europe’s leadership in light of the proposed EU tech sovereignty package, including Chips Act 2.0. By significantly expanding our capacity, this new facility will support future growth, deepen our engagement with industry and enterprise, and strengthen Ireland’s ability to develop the talent and research excellence needed to drive economic impact and long-term resilience.”
