Comnovo

Comnovo GmbH operates as a developer of industrial safety systems focused on collision avoidance and personnel protection in intralogistics and other industrial environments. The company was established in 2013 as a university spin-out from the Communication Networks Institute of Dortmund Technical University. The founding team, consisting of Dr. Andreas Lewandowski, Dominik Gerstel, and Volker Köster, had been conducting research on vehicle localization. Dr. Lewandowski's doctoral work was specifically in the field of radio-frequency-based indoor localization systems, which formed the technological bedrock of the company's offerings.

The core of Comnovo's business is its vehicle localization system which utilizes ultra-broadband (UWB) technology to alert pedestrians and vehicle operators of potential collisions. This system can accurately detect the proximity of industrial vehicles, such as forklifts, to personnel, even through obstacles like pallets, roller shutters, and walls, with a precision of up to ten centimeters. When a risk is detected, the system issues warnings via sound, visual signals, or vibrations to the individuals involved. This technology serves a range of industries including automotive, beverage, chemical, and mechanical engineering, helping to protect employees, prevent damage to infrastructure like gateways, and control vehicle speeds in designated zones. The business generates revenue by selling these modular safety systems to industrial clients.

A significant milestone in Comnovo's history occurred in July 2017 when it was acquired by Linde Material Handling, a major manufacturer of industrial trucks. This acquisition was a strategic move for Linde to enhance its safety solutions portfolio. Following the acquisition, Comnovo continued to operate as an independent entity, with the founders remaining with the company. Dr. Andreas Lewandowski stayed on as managing director, overseeing product development and integration, ensuring the continuity of the company's research-driven approach. Keywords: intralogistics safety, collision avoidance system, pedestrian detection, vehicle localization, ultra-broadband technology, forklift safety, industrial safety, workplace safety, UWB, asset tracking, proximity warning, personnel protection, Linde Safety Guard, Dortmund, industrial IoT, material handling safety, warehouse safety, RF-based localization, Dr. Andreas Lewandowski, Comnovo