We design and build Internet of Things solutions that connect physical devices to intelligent software. From industrial sensor networks and smart building systems to wearable tech and real-time monitoring dashboards, 5labs delivers end-to-end IoT platforms that turn raw data into actionable insights. Based in Edinburgh, we help UK businesses harness the power of connected technology.
The Internet of Things is changing how businesses monitor operations, manage assets, and interact with physical spaces. At 5labs, we build IoT solutions that go beyond simply connecting devices. We create complete ecosystems where sensors, gateways, cloud platforms, and user interfaces work together to deliver meaningful, real-time information.
Our team works across the full IoT stack. On the hardware side, we develop firmware for embedded systems using Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and custom microcontrollers. For connectivity, we work with MQTT, CoAP, LoRaWAN, Bluetooth Low Energy, and cellular protocols. On the software side, we build cloud platforms that ingest, process, and visualise device data through dashboards and mobile applications.
IoT projects often span multiple disciplines. Our mobile app development team builds companion apps for device control and monitoring. Our AI development team adds predictive maintenance and anomaly detection. For scalable cloud backends, see our SaaS development services. Need bespoke hardware-software integration? Our custom software team handles that.
Complete IoT solutions from sensor to screen
Custom sensor networks for temperature, humidity, motion, pressure, air quality, and more. We select the right hardware, design the circuitry, and write firmware that reliably collects and transmits data in any environment.
Web-based and mobile dashboards that display live device data, historical trends, alerts, and system health. Built for clarity so your teams can make quick decisions based on what is happening right now.
Production line monitoring, equipment health tracking, predictive maintenance alerts, and operational efficiency analytics. We build IIoT platforms that reduce downtime and optimise manufacturing processes.
Occupancy monitoring, energy management, HVAC optimisation, lighting control, and access management. Our smart building platforms help reduce energy costs while improving occupant comfort and safety.
Wearable device integration for health monitoring, fitness tracking, worker safety, and location services. We build the firmware, companion apps, and cloud backends that make wearable data useful and accessible.
Process data locally on edge devices to reduce latency, lower bandwidth costs, and maintain functionality when connectivity is intermittent. We deploy edge AI models for real-time decision-making at the device level.
From concept to connected, a structured approach
We start by understanding what you need to measure, monitor, or control. We define the environment, constraints, connectivity options, and data requirements. This shapes the entire hardware and software architecture.
We select sensors, microcontrollers, and communication modules suited to your use case. Rapid prototyping with Arduino or Raspberry Pi lets us validate the concept before committing to production-grade hardware.
We write efficient firmware in C, C++, or MicroPython that handles sensor readings, data formatting, power management, and wireless transmission. Built for reliability in continuous-operation environments.
We build the cloud backend that ingests data from your devices via MQTT or HTTP. Data is stored, processed, and exposed through secure APIs. Time-series databases handle high-frequency sensor data at scale.
We create intuitive web dashboards and mobile apps that visualise your IoT data. Real-time charts, alert notifications, device management, and historical analytics are all included as standard.
We handle field deployment, device provisioning, over-the-air firmware updates, and fleet management. As your device network grows, the platform scales with it. Ongoing monitoring ensures everything runs smoothly.
Proven IoT hardware, protocols, and cloud platforms
Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, STM32, custom PCBs. C, C++, MicroPython for firmware development. We select hardware based on power, connectivity, and environmental requirements.
MQTT, CoAP, WebSockets, LoRaWAN, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and cellular (4G/5G/NB-IoT). We match the right protocol to your range, power, and data rate needs.
AWS IoT Core, Azure IoT Hub, Google Cloud IoT, InfluxDB, TimescaleDB, Grafana, Node-RED. Scalable cloud infrastructure for ingesting and analysing millions of data points from connected devices.
Extend your IoT solution with these complementary services
Common questions about our Internet of Things services
IoT project costs vary depending on hardware complexity, the number of device types, and the scope of the cloud platform. A basic sensor-to-dashboard prototype might start from £5,000 to £15,000. Full production IoT platforms with custom hardware, cloud backends, and mobile apps typically range from £25,000 to £80,000+. We provide a detailed estimate after a free discovery session.
Both. For prototyping and smaller deployments, we use established platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32. For larger production runs or specialised requirements, we design custom PCBs and work with manufacturing partners. We always start with rapid prototyping to validate the concept before investing in custom hardware.
We use a range of connectivity options depending on the environment. LoRaWAN covers long distances with low power consumption. Cellular connections (4G, 5G, NB-IoT) work where there is mobile coverage. For offline scenarios, we implement edge computing with local storage and batch uploads when connectivity returns.
Yes. We build APIs and middleware that connect your IoT platform with existing ERPs, CRMs, SCADA systems, and business intelligence tools. Device data can flow directly into your existing reporting and analytics infrastructure, so you get a unified view of your operations.
Security is built into every layer. We use TLS encryption for data in transit, secure boot for devices, certificate-based authentication, and encrypted storage. Firmware updates are delivered over-the-air with signed packages. We follow OWASP IoT guidelines and can help you meet industry-specific compliance requirements.
A working prototype with a basic dashboard can be delivered in 6 to 10 weeks. Full production-ready platforms with custom firmware, cloud infrastructure, mobile apps, and fleet management features typically take 4 to 8 months. Timelines vary based on hardware complexity and regulatory requirements.
Yes. We design edge computing solutions that process and store data locally on the device. Critical logic runs at the edge, so devices continue operating even when connectivity drops. Data syncs automatically when the connection is restored. This is particularly important for industrial and remote deployments.
We have delivered IoT projects across manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, property management, energy, and retail. Whether you need to track assets in a warehouse, monitor environmental conditions in a building, or optimise energy usage across multiple sites, we build IoT solutions tailored to your industry.
Free Consultation | IoT Specialists | Edinburgh-Based Team
⭐ Trusted by Businesses Across Edinburgh & the UK
