FORT Robotics unveils 10x range Bluetooth tech for industrial robots

FORT Robotics has unveiled a breakthrough wireless technology that could reshape how robots operate in industrial environments. The company’s new Long-Range Bluetooth capability delivers ten times the standard control range, enabling safer and more flexible robot deployments across manufacturing floors and warehouses worldwide.

This development addresses a critical challenge as robots increasingly work alongside human employees in complex industrial settings. Traditional wireless safety systems often struggle with interference or face regulatory hurdles when companies expand internationally, creating bottlenecks for robot deployment.

The technology behind the breakthrough

FORT Robotics, a Philadelphia-based developer of safety control systems for robots and mobile machines, has engineered a specialized implementation of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.2 that dramatically extends communication range. Unlike standard Bluetooth connections typically used for consumer devices like headphones or fitness trackers, this industrial-grade system operates at significantly higher transmission power—specifically +17 dBm, which is ten times more powerful than typical BLE modules.

This enhanced power output enables reliable communication over distances of 100-300 meters, compared to the 10-30 meter range of standard Bluetooth connections. For context, this means a warehouse supervisor could maintain safe control over a robot operating three football fields away, rather than needing to stay within the same aisle.

The system incorporates Isochronous Channels, a technical feature that ensures time-sensitive safety data reaches its destination without delay. In industrial robotics, even millisecond delays in safety communications can mean the difference between a smooth operation and a workplace accident.

Solving the international expansion puzzle

For robotics companies scaling globally, radio frequency certification represents one of the most significant barriers to market entry. Different countries maintain distinct wireless communication standards and licensing requirements, forcing manufacturers to navigate complex approval processes for each new market.

“For our customers scaling into new territories, radio certification is often the single biggest hurdle that delays their international expansion,” explained Nathan Bivans, Chief Technology Officer at FORT Robotics. “By utilizing the universally accepted BLE 5.2 standard, we are eliminating a major friction point.”

Bluetooth technology operates on globally standardized frequencies that don’t require country-specific licensing, unlike proprietary radio systems that may face restrictions or interference issues in different regions. This universal compatibility allows robotics manufacturers to deploy identical systems across North America, Europe, and Asia without redesigning their wireless communication infrastructure.

Three core advantages for industrial operations

The Long-Range Bluetooth system delivers practical benefits that directly impact how companies deploy and manage robotic systems:

Extended operational range enables supervisors to maintain safe control over robots across larger facilities. In sprawling automotive manufacturing plants or distribution centers, operators can now oversee multiple robotic systems from centralized control stations rather than requiring personnel to shadow each robot throughout its operational area.

Higher density deployments become possible in busy industrial environments where multiple robots operate simultaneously. Traditional wireless systems often experience interference when numerous robots work in proximity, leading to communication failures or reduced performance. FORT’s system is specifically engineered to handle high-density scenarios without degraded performance.

Simplified global compliance streamlines international expansion by eliminating the need for region-specific radio certifications. A robotics company can develop one system design and deploy it across all major markets without modification, significantly reducing both development costs and time-to-market.

Real-world applications

The technology addresses practical challenges across various industrial sectors. In automotive manufacturing, where robots perform precision welding and assembly tasks, extended range allows safety supervisors to monitor multiple production lines from elevated control rooms. Warehouse operations benefit from the ability to oversee automated picking and sorting robots across vast floor spaces without requiring personnel to walk the entire facility.

The high-density capability proves particularly valuable in e-commerce fulfillment centers, where dozens of autonomous mobile robots navigate the same spaces simultaneously. Traditional wireless systems often experience degraded performance when multiple robots operate nearby, but FORT’s implementation maintains reliable communication even in crowded robotic environments.

Immediate availability and integration

FORT Robotics has made the Long-Range Bluetooth capability immediately available for its existing Safe Remote Control Pro and Endpoint Controller products. This means current customers can upgrade their systems to access extended range capabilities without replacing their entire safety infrastructure.

The timing proves strategic as the robotics industry experiences rapid growth in autonomous mobile robots and humanoid systems designed to work alongside human employees. As these advanced machines become more prevalent in industrial settings, the demand for reliable, long-range safety communication systems continues to accelerate.

Industry implications

This wireless breakthrough could accelerate robotics adoption across industries where safety concerns and regulatory complexity have previously slowed implementation. By addressing both the technical challenges of reliable long-range communication and the business challenges of global regulatory compliance, FORT Robotics has potentially removed two significant barriers to widespread industrial robot deployment.

For robotics manufacturers, the technology offers a pathway to faster international expansion and simplified product development. For end-users, it promises more flexible robot deployments and enhanced operational safety across larger industrial facilities.