Overview
Ribbiot Trackers work by sending out their information on the Ribbiot mesh - then any Ribbiot devices nearby with location information can relay that position up to the Ribbiot servers. This is very similar to how Apple AirTags or Tile trackers work.
Ribbiot offers a few different types of trackers, each designed for specific types of equipment and use cases. Here’s a simple overview of how they work:
Ribbiot Pods
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Ribbiot Pods are small trackers designed for small and/or unpowered machinery. They don’t have GPS or cellular connectivity. Instead, they work by broadcasting a signal every second on the Ribbiot Mesh (BLE).
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Any nearby Ribbiot-compatible device—like a phone with the Ribbiot app or a Ribbiot Portal—can pick up this signal. That device then logs the Pod’s information along with its own location and sends that data to Ribbiot’s servers.
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Pods are designed to be inexpensive and small to enable equipment tracking on items that would typically be to difficult to equip with a tracker or cost prohibitive. With various mounts the Pod can be installed on virtually any asset.
Ribbiot Portals
For Larger, Powered Assets
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Portals are more advanced trackers built for vehicles, trailers, or other large equipment. They do everything a Pod does—and more:
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They have built-in GPS, so they can determine their own location.
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They include LTE (cellular connectivity), so they can send their location directly to Ribbiot servers.
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They also act as scanners, listening for signals from nearby Ribbiot Pods. If a Portal detects a Pod on the Ribbiot Mesh, it sends that Pod’s info along with its location to the cloud, helping locate the equipment around it.
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Ribbiot App
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If you’re using the Ribbiot app on your smartphone (and the app is open), your phone acts just like a Portal:
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It listens for nearby Ribbiot Pods using Bluetooth.
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It records their location based on your phone’s GPS.
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It sends that information to Ribbiot servers automatically.
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The app also enables the use of forms, time cards, documents and more!
If you need help getting started using Ribbiot trackers follow the steps outlined here - Ribbiot Getting Started
Connectivity Options
| Name | Description | Product |
|---|---|---|
| NFC | This is extremely short range (0-10mm) or touch interface between Ribbiot trackers and mobile devices. NFC typically exchanges a small amount of information when physically very near to the other object, or tapping it. | Pod, Portal, Mobile |
| UWB | UWB is a communication standard that can give 3D location information to within a few cm’s of accuracy. It is shorter range than BLE (~50') but is able to lead you directly to and asset - in 3 dimensions. | Pod, Portal, Mobile* |
| Ribbiot Mesh | This is a BLE communication scheme between Ribbiot devices with a range of about 250'. This is a short range/local system and is the primary way of communicating with Pods. | Pod, Portal, Mobile** |
| LTE | This is your typical cellular radio or connectivity through carriers like T-mobile and AT&T. | Portal, Mobile |
| Wi-Fi | This is your standard connectivity for in house or office use - Portals do not yet support Wi-Fi | Mobile |
| GPS | Global Positioning System is a global constellation of satellites operated by the US government for civilian use to locate items on the earth. | Portal, Mobile |
*Some Mobile Phones do NOT support UWB
**Only Mobile Phones with the Ribbiot app installed will support the Ribbiot Mesh