I'm developing a spatial tracking app using a Qorvo DWM3001CDK (MFi-certified UWB accessory) with NINearbyAccessoryConfiguration.
On iPhone 15 (iOS 26.3.1, second-generation UWB chip):
- supportsDirectionMeasurement = false
- NINearbyObject.direction is always nil
- NINearbyObject.distance works correctly (~63Hz)
- Camera Assistance (isCameraAssistanceEnabled=true) provides horizontalAngle only after ARKit convergence (~10s), and only while the phone is moving
On iPhone 12/13 (first-generation UWB chip), direction works correctly with the same accessory.
My questions:
-
Is the removal of instantaneous direction measurement for third-party accessories on second-generation UWB devices intentional? Or is this a regression that will be fixed in a future iOS update?
-
If intentional, what is the recommended approach for apps that need real-time direction to a UWB accessory on iPhone 15/16? Camera Assistance requires phone movement and only works with stationary targets, which doesn't work for our use case (tracking a moving object with the phone mounted on a gimbal).
-
Are there any plans to provide instantaneous direction measurement for NINearbyAccessoryConfiguration on second-generation UWB devices?
Environment:
- iPhone 15, iOS 26.3.1
- Qorvo DWM3001CDK (FiRa + MFi certified)
- NINearbyAccessoryConfiguration with isCameraAssistanceEnabled=true
- Shared ARSession
Thank you.