Capabilities
Built for the Environments and Requirements where RFID Fails
RuBee uses low-frequency magnetic-field technology that meets HERO and HERF-ZERO requirements, produces no compromising field emissions, and can reliably read through metal, liquids, and people at distances of up to 20 feet.
The Problem
Weapons accountability is still largely a manual process. Armory personnel spend significant time conducting inventories, verifying serial numbers, documenting issuance and returns, and preparing audits. These repetitive processes consume manpower, create administrative burden, and leave room for human error.
Illustrative image.
The Solution: RuBee®
RuBee is an international standard, IEEE 1902.1, developed by Visible Assets, Inc. Operating primarily at 131 kHz, RuBee uses the magnetic spectrum rather than traditional radio-frequency communication. This enables reliable communication between tags and antennas in steel-dense, obstruction-filled environments where conventional wireless technologies struggle.
RUBEE® MAGNETIC FIELD · 131 kHz
Reads Through Obstructions
Reliable communication through steel, liquids, and other common obstructions.
Adaptive Range
Communication between tags and antennas without line-of-sight requirements, with range configurable to the needs of the environment.
HERO / HERF ZERO
Safe on and near HERO susceptible ordnance with a Safe Separation Distance of zero inches.
No Compromising RF Emissions
Zero Targeting, Tempest, or Eavesdropping risk with 1/R³ signal attenuation.
Precise Weapon Location
Identify the specific rack slot containing each weapon, with location accuracy of approximately ±6 inches.
RuBee vs RFID
Why the signal matters in obstructed environments
| Capability | Visible RuBee Armory Magnetic · IEEE 1902.1 | RFID Armory Systems Radio frequency |
|---|
RuBee characteristics per Visible Assets published specifications and IEEE 1902.1. RFID column reflects general limitations of radio-frequency identification in steel-dense, high-security environments.
Reduce Human Error, Man-Hours, and Administrative Burdens
Organizations spend countless hours of valuable personnel time conducting inventories, audits, and correcting errors. RuBee-equipped armories reduce the time and administrative burden required to maintain accountability, saving time and resources without compromising the mission.
The model below illustrates the potential value of a RuBee system by comparing its automated inventory capabilities with the equivalent manual effort. This calculation does not account for additional benefits, including enhanced security, faster issuance and return, and reduced opportunities for human error.
Model one full audit
One full audit — manual
—
Time to verify every serial number
—
Labor cost per audit
One full audit — RuBee
—
At 6 tags scanned per second
$0
No personnel required — runs on demand or on a schedule
Annual savings vs. matching RuBee manually
—
Audits RuBee runs per year
1,095+
On a schedule, typically every 8 hours
RuBee audits the full inventory on demand or on a schedule — typically every 8 hours. To match that coverage by hand, your team would repeat the manual audit above 1,095 times a year. The figure in green is what that equivalent manual effort would cost annually — labor RuBee simply removes, while auditing more often than any manual program ever could.
The formula, in full
audit_time = weapons × seconds_per_weapon ÷ 3600 (one person verifying) | cost = audit_time × personnel × rate | annual_savings = cost × audits every 8 hours × 365
This is a labor model only — it excludes equipment cost, installation, and the cost of a lost-weapon incident or stand-down.
Approved and Proven in Mission-Critical Organizations
RuBee technology has been evaluated, approved, and deployed in demanding environments where reliability, security, and accountability are critical.
HERO / HERF ZERO
Safe Separation Distance of 0 inches at HERO power level. NAVSEA reviewed and approved, meeting NAVSEA 9310 1C.
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system. Scope: design, development, manufacture and support of RuBee (IEEE 1902.1) wireless asset visibility products, tags, readers and software.
IEEE 1902.1
Ratified international standard, co-sponsored by Visible Assets and Seiko Epson Corporation.
MIL-STD 810H
Environmental engineering standard. Tags sealed to MIL-STD 810H.
FCC Part 15B
Emissions under 10-9 watts. MIL-STD 385-64 safe emissions near explosives. Approximately one million times below OSHA limits.
USAF Dash 12
USAF Dash 12 Approved Electric-Power Device.
U.S. Department of Energy
Approved audit system with 100% read rates. Rated “Best of Enterprise” by the Department of Energy.
Department of the Interior
Approved audit system with 100% read rates.
FDA Reviewed
IEEE 1902.1 classified Class 1, Non-Significant Risk. Mayo Clinic studies show no effect on pacemakers, ICDs or operating-room equipment.
No compromising emanations
No tempest, target or eavesdropping risk — tested and reviewed by NNSA, DOE, DOW and the Australian Defense Force.
Sandia National Laboratories
RF safety report for RuBee use on sensitive electro-explosive devices declassified in 2018.
Installations
Where RuBee Technology is deployed today.
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Navy
U.S. Coast Guard
Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Department of Interior
Specific references provided upon request.
RuBee technology operates at 3,500+ defense and industrial sites worldwide, with more than 30 million hours of problem-free operation and 100% field-proven read accuracy.
FAQ
Ready to scope your armory?
Tell us your weapon and rack counts and we will return an indicative range and a site-survey plan.