Currently, the process of tracking moving objects and determining their indoor location is considered to be one of the most attractive applications that have begun to see widespread use, especially after the adoption of this technology in some smartphone applications. The great developments in electronics and communications systems have provided the basis for tracking and location systems inside buildings, so-called indoor positioning systems (IPSs). The ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is one of the important emerging solutions for IPSs. This radio communications technology provides important characteristics that distinguish it from other solutions, such as secure and robust communications, wide bandwidth, high data rate, and low transmission power. In this paper, we review the implementation of the most important real-time indoor positioning and tracking systems that use ultra-wideband technology for tracking and localizing moving objects. This paper reviews the newest in-market UWB modules and solutions, discussing several types of algorithms that are used by the real-time UWB-based systems to determine the location with high accuracy, along with a detailed comparison that saves the reader a lot of time and effort in choosing the appropriate UWB-module/method/algorithm for real-time implementation.

The leakage of gases and chemical vapors is a common accident in laboratory processes that requires a rapid response to avoid harmful effects if humans and instruments are exposed to this leakage. In this paper, the performance of a portable sensor node designed for integration with mobile and stationary robots used to transport chemical samples in automated laboratories was tested and evaluated. The sensor node has four main layers for executing several functions, such as power management, control and data preprocessing, sensing gases and environmental parameters, and communication and data transmission. The responses of three metal oxide semiconductor sensors, BME680, ENS160, and SGP41, integrated into the sensing layer have been recorded for various volumes of selected chemicals and volatile organic compounds, including ammonia, pentane, tetrahydrofuran, butanol, phenol, xylene, benzene, ethanol, methanol, acetone, toluene, and isopropanol. For mobile applications, the sensor node was attached to a sample holder on a mobile robot (ASTI ProBOT L). In addition, the sensor nodes were positioned close to automation systems, including stationary robots. The experimental results revealed that the tested sensors have a different response to the tested volumes and can be used efficiently for hazardous gas leakage detection and monitoring.

Real-time indoor monitoring systems (RTIMS) are a key component of modern technological infrastructures in smart and automated buildings and facilities. They enable the continuous collection, analysis, and response to environmental data under strict time constraints, ensuring optimal system performance. These systems are designed to operate with high accuracy and low latency, making them essential in situations and events where timely decision-making is critical. Their applications range from industrial automation and production line monitoring to smart cities, smart homes, and healthcare for the elderly and disabled. The significant advances in electronics, communications, and software—particularly in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and data transfer protocols—are reflected in the diversity of real-time monitoring systems, in terms of the parameters that can be monitored, the control and command systems that can be used, and the actuators that respond to commands. In this paper, the concepts, design, components, and working methods of these systems are discussed in detail. The latest research on real-time indoor monitoring systems published over the past five years is reviewed, resulting in the selection of 143 studies that met the inclusion criteria. This review synthesizes the technologies used for data capture, transmission, processing, storage, and visualization, as well as the approaches employed for alerts and system integration. By presenting these technical insights in a structured manner, the article provides a practical reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to design and implement real-time monitoring systems more efficiently and effectively.

In automated laboratories, ambient monitoring and precise object tracking are essential for safety and system reliability. In this paper, we present the development and evaluation of a low-cost, portable sensor node for environmental sensing and ultrawideband (UWB) based localization. The sensor node integrates a set of commercial gas sensors for measuring environmental parameters and an ultra-wideband unit for object tracking. The device has an IoT microcontroller that can efficiently process the data from both environmental sensors and the location information from the UWB module and transmit it wirelessly to the cloud/monitoring server via Wi-Fi user datagram protocol (UDP). A custom Python application was developed for real-time monitoring, implementing trilateration and least-squares algorithms for accurate indoor positioning. Experimental results showed a location accuracy better than 50 cm under line-of-sight conditions.