Category: Applications

How underground GNSS is revolutionizing rescue operations

Syntony GNSS, the SDMIS of Lyon and CS-Group have released a demonstration video of the SubWAVE system, filmed at La Mine Bleue near Angers. The video highlights how GNSS signal emulation enables real-time tracking of first responders and victims in GPS-denied environments such as tunnels and mines. This advance allows for precise localization of responders and 112 emergency calls, while significantly enhancing tactical situational awareness during rescue operations.

Emergencies that occur underground — in tunnels, mines, or parking garages — present a critical challenge to first responders: the inability to rely on GNSS signals. Satellite navigation systems cannot penetrate dense materials like concrete or rock, often leaving firefighters and rescue teams without essential positioning data. This lack of visibility can delay victim care and increase risks for responders who are already operating in complex, unfamiliar environments.

The SDMIS of Lyon, noted for its expertise in deep confined-space operations, recognized this operational barrier. In partnership with Syntony GNSS and CS-Group, they produced a demonstration of the SubWAVE system at La Mine Bleue, a tourist site near Angers, aiming to show how real-time GNSS signal emulation can improve safety and efficiency in underground rescue missions.

Central to this development is SubWAVE, a solution created by Syntony GNSS. Unlike GPS repeaters, which only retransmit surface signals underground, SubWAVE generates realistic GNSS signals in real time, including altitude data adapted to different underground layers. These signals are fully compatible with standard GNSS-enabled devices, ranging from professional radios to everyday smartphones. SubWAVE broadcasts these signals through antennas or existing underground radio infrastructure, ensuring a smooth transition between surface and subterranean environments. As a result, responders can be continuously tracked without requiring specialized equipment or recalibration.

The demonstration video clearly illustrates the system’s effectiveness. Firefighters equipped with radios or using the Réseau Radio du Futur (RRF) were tracked in real time, enabling commanding officers to coordinate operations with new levels of reliability.

With GNSS coverage and responder localization now possible underground, a wide range of advancements are within reach. It becomes feasible to locate victims or lone workers, even without active signal transmission, by utilizing GNSS capabilities in mobile phones. Guidance and alert systems can be integrated into helmets or masks for first responders, and artificial intelligence can help map and analyze intervention zones, anticipate hazards, and enhance situational awareness. The technology also allows for interoperability between fire, police and EMS services through shared geolocation data, and may expand precise localization capabilities to complex indoor environments such as shopping malls or high-rise buildings where GPS is often unreliable.

These improvements represent more than mere technical upgrades. They mark a fundamental shift in how emergency services can operate in GNSS-denied zones. By embedding intelligence and connectivity throughout the emergency response chain, SubWAVE aims to redefine standards of safety and coordination in some of the most challenging rescue scenarios.

July 29, 2025
Capitol Hill event spotlights urgent need for GPS backup systems

Government, industry and public safety leaders call for action on PNT resiliency as threats escalate.

GPS is the invisible backbone of modern life, supporting America’s national and economic security in ways both recognized and overlooked. While other countries have developed competing systems, GPS remains far ahead of its rivals. Yet that dominance is also a vulnerability. GPS is a single point of failure, and the U.S. lacks complementary positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions. A successful disruption could cost the U.S. economy $1.6 billion per day and impact everything from first responders to our energy grids.

As threats to GPS reliability mount, policymakers and industry leaders gathered on Capitol Hill to underscore the urgent need for backup systems to protect America’s PNT infrastructure.

Last month, I hosted an event on Capitol Hill called: “The Race to GPS Resiliency: What the US Can Do Today to Strengthen National Security.” It brought together senior officials from the Department of Defense (DOD), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Congress and industry to make the case for a layered approach to PNT resiliency. These experts examined the technical vulnerabilities of GPS, the increasing frequency of jamming and spoofing incidents, and the policy measures required to expedite the deployment of complementary technologies.

GPS: Foundational and Fragile

The first panel focused on how federal agencies are addressing growing vulnerabilities in GPS. Thomas Rondeau, Ph.D., principal director for FutureG at DOD, shared some eye-opening insights, including how a DARPA project demonstrated that, for less than $300 in parts from Amazon, one could “create a very bad day for the American military.” He called GPS disruption one of the easiest threats to develop and warned that adversaries are already exploiting this vulnerability as part of modern conflict.

From left to right: Diego Areas Munhoz, reporter, Punchbowl; Thomas Rondeau, Ph.D., principal director for FutureG, DOD; Arpan Sura, senior counsel, chief AI officer, FCC.

Rondeau shared how GPS disruption is now a feature of modern warfare, as he witnessed firsthand during his time at DARPA: “We were seeing massive loss of capabilities, and ordnance, because they were dependent on GPS. And as soon as they flew there, the tent turns on, capability goes away, we lose… assets.”

Arpan Sura, senior counsel and chief AI officer at the FCC, walked through the FCC’s process for evaluating GPS alternatives and discussed how the agency is considering complementary PNT technologies.

“National security is one of his (Chairman Carr’s) top priorities. And we recognize, as Tom mentioned, that GPS remains vulnerable to jamming and spoofing. But also, non-national security threats like solar flares, environmental risks like orbital debris. And there is heavy reliance on it in the U.S. economy,” Mr. Sura said.

Lives on the Line

From left to right: Mariam Sorond, board chair and CEO, NextNav; Adam Eldert, director of public safety for Fairfax County, Virginia.

During the second panel, the conversation shifted from global conflict zones to local communities. Adam Eldert, director of public safety for Fairfax County, Virginia, emphasized the life-saving value of resilient PNT technologies in emergency response.

“Technology should be carrying us forward, allowing us to make better decisions with the information we have to affect life-saving measures faster, get to places quicker and avoid any sort of potential problems,” said Eldert.

Mariam Sorond, CEO and president of NextNav, pointed out that GPS limitations can delay locating 911 callers and responding to active threats like a mass shooting situation she and Eldert had previously discussed. “It’s not just to save somebody’s life, but it’s also about preventing disasters.”

She then highlighted the company’s 5G-powered 3D terrestrial PNT solution, which is currently being considered by the FCC’s ongoing Notice of Inquiry on PNT and in a separate Petition for Rulemaking specific to NextNav. She explained that the company is working to address a national security challenge with a near-term, future-proof solution that delivers a widescale terrestrial PNT solution without relying on taxpayer funding.

Congressional Support

The closing panel featured Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and former Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), who previously chaired the full committee.

Both Hudson and Walden warned that the United States is lagging behind adversaries such as China and Russia in deploying terrestrial backup systems to GPS.

Chairman Hudson reflected on how the issue hits close to home: “I represent Fort Bragg, the largest army base in the world. We call it the epicenter of the universe. Our special forces and airborne troops that deploy out of Fort Bragg rely on GPS for almost everything they do. So, real-life scenarios with them keep me awake at night.”

Chairman Walden spoke about another high-profile case in San Diego. “[T]here was a naval exercise between two ships, and they jammed GPS… which caused some issues, ” said Walden. “It also speaks to the problem we have, in America, where, unlike China and Russia, two of our adversaries, they have terrestrial-based systems for GPS backup.”

What Comes Next

The event made clear that action is needed — and possible. Mr. Sura told the crowd that he believes the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry will help drive a conversation about a holistic approach to PNT resiliency, exploring the economics of how these systems will work, and how to foster competition in a way that will yield multiple outcomes. When asked about next steps, Mr. Sura encouraged the group to “stay tuned.”

Speakers throughout the event called for continued public-private collaboration to accelerate development of a more resilient PNT system — one that combines space-based and terrestrial technologies to safeguard national security, critical infrastructure, and public safety.

Congressman Hudson closed with a note of urgency and optimism: “It’s clear the FCC understands the urgency, and they’re conducting thorough reviews right now.”

Full event details and videos are available here.

Diane Rinaldo of Peake Advisors, which sponsored the event, is one of the country’s leading authorities on 5G, telecommunications supply chain security and privacy. She served as Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information in the first Trump Administration.

July 29, 2025
Drones detect moss beds and changes to Antarctica climate
GNSS and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized precise mapping in polar regions. For a team from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), UAVs enabled a flexible platform for deploying hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sensors and collecting high-resolution data, enhanced by GNSS with real-time kinematic (RTK) to ensure accurate geolocation for reliable vegetation analysis.

The team turned to UAVs to meet the unique challenges of monitoring Antarctic vegetation. Harsh conditions, remoteness, limited access and climate variability make traditional field surveys time-consuming and costly. Worse, they risk disturbing sensitive vegetation, explain the researchers.

What Grows There. Antarctica’s terrestrial ecosystems are home to freeze-tolerant vegetation like mosses and lichens, which play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles, soil insulation and supporting biodiversity. These organisms underpin the continent’s fragile ecosystems, increasingly threatened by climate change, extreme events, and human activitiees.

While satellite imagery enables large-scale observations, its limited spectral and spatial resolution, alongside cloud interference, constrains fine-scale vegetation analysis. HSI captures a broad wavelength range, enabling discrimination of vegetation by their spectral signatures. Multispectral imaging (MSI) data, such as that from Sentinel-2, is also being explored.

Each technology contributes uniquely:
- GNSS RTK provides georeferencing
- Machine-learning techniques enable precise segmentation
- UAVs offer flexible spatial coverage and high-resolution datasets.
However, unless these elements are integrated, mapping accuracy diminishes. Moreover, limited validation of spectral libraries and simulated imagery against field data restricts the reliability of remote sensing outcomes.

The team’s study addresses current gaps by building on the UAV-based HSI workflow that incorporates ground-based HSI data and MSI. “We expand this approach by integrating UAV-captured HSI data to enhance remote sensing capabilities in polar environments,” researchers explain. The updated methodology combines UAVs, high-resolution red, green, blue (RGB) imagery, and ground and aerial HSI data with machine-learning-based semantic segmentation.

The new workflow was evaluated in Antarctic specially protected area (ASPA) 135, Windmill Islands, East Antarctica, focusing on lichen detection and moss health mapping (Fig. 1).

Location of ASPA 135 (6616’60” S, 11032’60” E) and studied vegetation. (a) Map of Antarctica showing Casey Station’s location using the Polar Stereographic Projection. (b) Map delineating ASPA 135 (purple) near Casey Station (top left). (c) Ground-level imagery of moss and lichen at ASPA 135, along with surrounding rock and ice formations. (Credit: QUT)

Read the full study, “Drone hyperspectral imaging and artificial intelligence for monitoring moss and lichen in Antarctica,” on the Scientific Reports website.
July 28, 2025
Swift Navigation secures funding for its Skylark cm positioning service

Swift Navigation has completed another funding round to fuel its centimeter-level precision service. The Skylark Precise Positioning Service is a cloud-based service that corrects errors in GNSS signals, improving accuracy to centimeter level and enabling mass-market adoption of applications in autonomous driving, robotics, precision logistics, and V2X communication.

Skylark is a real-time, cloud-based service that meets ISO 26262:2018 functional safety standards for road vehicles. Unlike ASIL-certified positioning solutions that rely on costly physical data centers, Skylark operates entirely in the cloud.

Skylark powers more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles worldwide and supports global programs for 20+ automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, top robotics companies, and a large commercial fleet operator.

This latest financing reflects strong market demand for Swift’s approach to precise positioning. Unlike traditional precise positioning technologies, Skylark leverages advanced atmospheric modeling, cloud-based architecture and carrier-grade networks to deliver unmatched reliability, safety and cost efficiency at scale.

The $50 million Series E financing round was led by Crosslink Capital. The round saw strong participation from existing investors New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Eclipse Ventures, EPIQ Capital Group, First Round Capital, TELUS Global Ventures, and Potentum Partners alongside new investors Niterra Ventures, AlTi Tiedemann Global, GRIDS Capital, Essentia Ventures, Shea Ventures, and EnerTech Capital. This funding brings Swift Navigation’s total capital raised to over $250 million.

July 28, 2025
Galileo OSNMA authentication service now operational

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has officially declared its Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) initial service operational. OSNMA introduces a data authentication mechanism for Galileo Open Service users and is available free of charge to Galileo users worldwide.

Spoofing is the transmission of counterfeit satellite signals that deceive GNSS receivers, causing false, unreliable positioning that can disrupt critical sectors including transportation, finance, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, emergency services and law enforcement. In safety-critical domains such as aviation and maritime, spoofing risks can lead to serious safety hazards .

OSNMA addresses these threats by embedding a cryptographic digital signature within the Galileo navigation message (I/NAV) broadcast on the E1-B signal. This digital signature allows receivers equipped with OSNMA to verify that the signal truly originates from Galileo and has not been tampered with or spoofed.

OSNMA is integrated into the Galileo Open Service signal, which is already used by most GNSS devices. This means no change to existing Galileo signal structure or navigation performance, preserving full backward compatibility. Non-OSNMA receivers continue to function normally, while OSNMA-capable receivers decode and authenticate the digital signature .

The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), located at the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) in Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain, manages the generation and transmission of authentication messages to Galileo’s ground segment. The OSNMA service was developed in collaboration with industrial partners, including GMV and INDRA, who also contributed to Galileo’s High Accuracy Service (HAS), operational since January 2023.

July 28, 2025
Advancing earthquake prediction with a UAV

Researchers demonstrate a seaplane-type UAV using GNSS-A can precisely measure seafloor deformation

Megathrust earthquakes are large earthquakes that occur on faults found along the boundaries between tectonic plates. The Nankai Trough is a megathrust earthquake zone lying off the southwestern coast of Japan, and experts estimate that this zone could generate a potentially devastating (magnitude 8 or 9) large earthquake sometime in the next 30 years. A seismic event of this magnitude could trigger cascading hazards such as destructive tsunamis.

Developing the technologies for efficient and reliable seafloor monitoring is paramount when considering the potential for socioeconomic harm represented by megathrust earthquakes. Traditionally, seafloor measurements have been obtained using transponder stations on the seafloor that communicate with satellites via buoys or ocean-going vessels to produce accurate positional information. However, data collection using such systems has problems such as low efficiency and speed.

In a study published in Earth and Space Science, researchers at Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, addressed the challenge of acquiring reliable, high-precision, real-time seafloor measurements by constructing a seaplane-type unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can withstand ocean currents and wind. This vehicle is intended for use with the GNSS–Acoustic (GNSS-A) ― a system that uses satellites to determine locations on Earth ― to provide a communication link with seafloor transponder stations.

“We conducted initial experiments in a water tank,” explains lead author of the study Yuto Yoshizumi, “and found that the proposed system can detect distances to an accuracy within 2.1 cm.”

To further evaluate the system, at-sea trial tests were performed by landing the UAV on the sea surface off the coast of Japan under optimal sea conditions. “The results were hugely encouraging,” said senior author Yusuke Yokota. “These seafloor positioning measurements are the first ever achieved using a UAV, and we attained a horizontal root mean square error of approximately 1–2 cm, which is easily comparable to that of existing vessel-based systems.”

The rapid real-time acquisition of seafloor information using the UAV system developed by the research team at Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, is expected to provide the foundation for advanced research into earthquake disaster prevention. Such data are urgently needed given the speed and frequency of occurrence of megathrust earthquakes on the Nankai Trough.

Full paper, DOI: 10.1029/2025EA004237.

July 24, 2025
Companies partner on resilient navigation for commercial ships

NAL Research is partnering with SGM Technology, a maritime technology company, and Tschudi Shipping, a maritime logistics company, to deliver a resilient navigation and tracking product line for the commercial shipping industry enabled by Iridium’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.

NAL Research is a U.S.-based firm specializing in assured positioning, navigation and timing (APNT) solutions.

The partnership aims to provide reliable asset tracking and assured navigation in high-risk maritime environments. Threats to GPS and GNSS signals — such as jamming, spoofing and interference — are reaching unprecedented levels worldwide. In some regions, maritime authorities reported a 350% increase in affected vessels over the past six months, according to NorthStandard. These disruptions are leading to serious consequences, including collisions, delays, financial impacts on global trade, and heightened security risks for crews at sea.

Under the partnership agreement, the companies are leveraging NAL Research’s 25+ years of expertise in APNT, tracking, and connectivity to develop solutions built on the Iridium PNT service, a powerful and fully authenticated L-band signal resilient to spoofing and jamming.

The partnership will also benefit from SGM’s 15+ years of experience delivering technology to the commercial maritime sector and Tschudi Shipping Company’s global presence and 140+ years in commercial shipping and logistics. Together, the collaboration aims to provide maritime users with unmatched resilience and reliable navigation for GPS/GNSS-compromised environments. Trials of this state-of-the-art solution are underway.

July 22, 2025
GMV to develop collision avoidance service for LEO constellations

The rapid growth of satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit (LEO), the risk of orbital collisions is rising at an unprecedented rate. The increasing amount of space debris — ranging from active satellites to defunct assets and debris — poses serious challenges for operators striving to maintain the safety and sustainability of their missions. As daily data volumes grow and conjunction warnings become more frequent, the space community faces pressure to adopt more advanced and reliable collision avoidance solutions.

In response to these growing challenges, the European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded GMV a research and development contract under the ARTES Core Competitiveness program, aimed at improving collision avoidance services for large telecommunications constellations. The initiative will focus on developing advanced capabilities for FOCUSOC NXTGEN, a platform designed to deliver faster and more accurate collision risk assessments by using diverse data sources and enhanced response strategies.

As part of the project, a conjunction assessment center will be established in the United Kingdom to expand support for satellite operators both domestically and internationally. The new system architecture aims to handle higher volumes of data and provide scalable performance to match the needs of next-generation constellations, potentially exceeding 1,000 satellites per constellation.

FOCUSOC NXTGEN incorporates several features, including a dedicated database for trend analysis, a maneuver testing environment grounded in flight dynamics, API integration for efficient operations, and a redundant infrastructure to ensure continuous service availability. The system seeks to filter out false positives from daily orbital data, identify genuine threats more accurately, and deliver timely recommendations to operators for effective maneuver planning.

The service is set for launch in summer 2026 in coordination with industry partners. ESA officials note that enhancing orbital collision avoidance technologies will be crucial to maintaining safe and sustainable operations as satellite numbers continue to rise.

ESA’s ARTES Core Competitiveness program provides funding and expertise to strengthen the satellite communications sector across Europe and Canada. The program supports both technology development and efforts to bring innovative products and services to market.

July 22, 2025
AI maps: The digital infrastructure driving autonomous systems

Each day, millions of transportation decisions are made without a driver manually choosing a route or reacting to road signs. Trucks are rerouted around traffic hours before a jam appears. A vehicle slows down in a school zone, even without seeing a sign. A delivery service dynamically dispatches drivers based on weather and wait times.

These are not just conveniences; they are outcomes of location intelligence working behind the scenes, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time mapping.

At the heart of these systems lies a fundamental shift: maps are no longer static guides for humans. AI is unlocking a new era of computing and autonomous systems that will drive industry innovation and reinvention for years to come. Maps have become live, machine-readable software that enables automation at scale. Accenture’s Technology Vision 2025 report found large-language models (LLMs) are giving machines and robots more autonomy in the physical world, allowing them to better understand the physics of their environments, have spatial awareness, interact with people and understand complex instructions. This evolving autonomy is critical for autonomous vehicles, smart logistics and other systems that rely on real-time, AI-powered mapping to sense, decide and act.

Whether it’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), predictive logistics, EV range optimization or smart city operations, AI-powered mapping is fast becoming the connective tissue between sensing, decision-making, and action. It all begins with location data that is collected, interpreted and delivered in real time.

From Navigation to Infrastructure: The Evolution of the Map

Throughout the past two decades, digital maps have evolved from a novelty to a necessity. The early wave of turn-by-turn GPS tools was designed for humans — to get us from one point to another using the shortest or fastest route.

Today, we are witnessing a new paradigm. As autonomy becomes embedded in vehicles, delivery operations, and mobile robotics, we need a new kind of map — one built for machines.

These maps must be able to see, react and even predict. They must be continuously updated with real-time inputs, capable of interpreting events and structured in a way that allows for automation logic. In other words, they must be intelligent; and that intelligence comes from AI.

AI-Powered Maps: What Makes Them Different?

A live, AI-powered map is far more than a digital representation of roads and intersections. It begins with a foundational base layer — detailed information about road geometry, lanes, speed limits, signage and more. However, what sets these maps apart is how they evolve in real-time to reflect the dynamic nature of the world around us.

They incorporate constantly changing inputs like traffic flow, construction activity, road closures and weather conditions — data streams that traditional static maps cannot accommodate. Beyond reacting to real-time events, AI maps also understand context. They may recognize nuances such as school zones that change by time of day, hazardous intersections, low-clearance bridges, and the availability or compatibility of EV chargers at nearby locations.

Crucially, AI-powered maps don’t just describe what’s happening – they anticipate what might happen next. Fueled by billions of data points collected from vehicles, sensors, satellite imagery and crowdsourced sources, these systems use predictive modeling to foresee traffic build-ups, potential hazards or shifts in road accessibility.

The result is a map that doesn’t merely guide but thinks — a constantly updating model of the world designed not for human eyes alone, but for machines that need to make decisions in real-time.

AI fuses these elements, constantly recalculating and enriching the map to reflect what’s happening now and what might happen next.

For this to work, mapping platforms must ingest the billions of data inputs. AI models then validate, filter and extract insight from this data — turning raw input into actionable intelligence and guidance.

Why AI Maps Matter in the Vehicle

Modern vehicles are increasingly defined by software, and that software needs a constant, reliable connection to the outside world.

ADAS features, such as intelligent speed assistance (ISA), lane keeping and predictive cruise control, depend not only on sensors like cameras or radar, but also on high-quality map data to anticipate what’s ahead.

For example, speed limit detection based solely on onboard vision can fail in poor weather or when signs are obscured. But when paired with verified, map-based data, continuously updated by AI, vehicles can make safer, more consistent decisions. As regulators in the EU and beyond mandate ISA systems in new vehicles, AI-enhanced maps are becoming a tool for regulatory compliance, not just convenience.

As OEMs continue their shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), they increasingly treat maps as a core software module, critical to the operation of the vehicle itself, not just a navigation layer.

In the era of SDVs, maps are evolving into a foundational software service used not just to get somewhere, but to determine how and when it is safe to drive.

How AI Maps Support the EV Transition

One of the most significant barriers to widespread EV adoption is range anxiety: the fear that a driver won’t reach a charger in time, or that the charger will be in use or out of order. AI-powered maps help directly address this.

By combining real-time charger availability, plug compatibility, dynamic traffic conditions, topography, and vehicle battery status, intelligent routing systems can not only suggest optimal charging points, but also reroute on the fly as conditions change.

This level of intelligence is essential for EV fleet operators, especially those in logistics, ride-hailing or municipal transit.

AI-powered maps also leverage charger usage patterns, traffic flows and gaps in the network to help cities plan where to place new charging infrastructure.

In this way, location intelligence doesn’t just support EVs on the road but helps accelerate adoption.

Why AI Maps Matter in the Supply Chain

A HERE Technologies ‘On the Move’ survey found only 25% of transportation and logistics professionals are leveraging AI in supply chain management. Yet, the use cases for AI-powered mapping are plentiful.

Fleet operators face daily challenges: delays, emissions targets, labor shortages and delivery windows that shift by the hour. They’re actively seeking technology-based solutions. McKinsey projects the autonomous heavy-duty trucking market could reach an aggregated $616 billion in 2035 in China, the United States and Europe.

AI-powered maps help address many of these challenges. By combining real-time traffic information, road restrictions (e.g., weight limits, low bridges), and predictive analytics, intelligent maps help logistics operators optimize every mile.

For example, dynamic routing can avoid areas of congestion hours before they peak, based on machine learning models trained on historical and live data. AI can prioritize delivery orders based on customer availability, time-of-day restrictions or weather disruptions.

Beyond routing, maps also assist in asset tracking and risk management. Telematics systems that combine GNSS positioning with AI-based location intelligence can detect anomalies in driving behavior, flag out-of-route events and improve operational safety.

The results are evident and tangible: lower fuel consumption, reduced delivery times and higher fleet utilization.

GNSS and Geospatial Foundations

It’s important to underscore that these intelligent maps still depend on foundational technologies like GNSS. Without reliable satellite-based positioning, none of these applications (ADAS, EV routing or predictive logistics) would be possible.

But GNSS alone isn’t enough. Real-time location must be contextualized. An accurate lat/long fix is powerful, but the system needs to know: What road is that on? What’s the speed limit? Are there known hazards? What time of day is it? Is it raining?

This is where geospatial data, fused with AI and layered into live maps, becomes transformational. The future isn’t about replacing GNSS — it’s about expanding what’s possible when GNSS is augmented with AI, context and prediction.

Looking Ahead: Mapping as Mission-Critical Infrastructure

As autonomy increases across industries — from fully autonomous vehicles to self-driving delivery trucks to smart city systems — AI-powered maps will underpin critical operations.

AI-powered maps will be essential to the flow of goods, the safety of passengers and the predictability of city infrastructure. These systems must be continuously updated, machine-readable, context-aware, predictive and scalable. They also must be built with privacy, security and compatibility in mind. Governments, automotive manufacturers, technology providers and mapping platforms will need to collaborate — not just on data collection, but on standards, governance and interoperability.

Quiet Engine of Autonomy

We often focus on the visible outputs of automation: the driverless shuttle, the drone delivery, the smart traffic signal. However, none of these can function without a live map underneath, enabling every decision, in every moment.

Digital maps have become the quiet engine of autonomy. With the power of AI, they’re becoming smarter, faster and more essential every day.

For professionals in GNSS, geospatial intelligence, and positioning systems, this shift opens new territory where location isn’t just about where things are, but also about what’s happening, why it matters and what should happen next.

In this world, AI-powered maps are no longer a tool. They’re infrastructure.

July 21, 2025
L3Harris demonstrates reprogrammable PNT system for US Space Force

L3Harris has demonstrated a positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solution for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command that is adaptable across platforms, fully reprogrammable on orbit and scalable to support more signals and increased power as PNT threats evolve. According to L3Harris, the solution is designed to provide the Space Force with the flexibility to deploy smaller, multi-launch-capable satellites, thereby strengthening or diversifying its satellite constellation.

During a two-day design concept review, L3Harris presented a resilient-GPS (R-GPS) prototype that exceeded current requirements, highlighting its potential to accelerate the Space Force’s roadmap for a stronger, more adaptable PNT infrastructure. Using the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 reprogrammable payload and NSA-certified cryptography, the company simulated the operation of an R-GPS satellite transmitting navigation signals. These signals were successfully acquired and tracked by monitoring stations, military receivers and commercial equipment, demonstrating that R-GPS technology can be seamlessly integrated into the existing GPS framework.

“Our team transmitted, tested and validated a core set of R-GPS signals across the entire enterprise to demonstrate a fully reprogrammable, resilient PNT solution for the Department of Defense,” said Ed Zoiss, president of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris. “We leveraged best-in-class commercial technology and the government’s investment in NTS-3 PNT technologies.”

L3Harris followed a “prototyping with purpose” approach that showcased maturity far beyond a traditional Preliminary Design Review, resulting in a low-risk, achievable plan for the future development phases of the R-GPS program. The L3Harris R-GPS design includes capabilities aligned to future Lite Evolving Augmented Proliferation, providing an opportunity for roadmap acceleration and reduction in lifecycle costs.

“Our approach supports satellite design verification, proves compatibility with the Control Segment and user equipment, and enables early integration opportunities,” Zoiss said. “After more than five decades in the field, we understand the challenges in aligning the Space, Control and User segments of the GPS enterprise, so we used a holistic, unified approach.”

The Design Concept Review demonstrated how the L3Harris R-GPS satellite can minimize impact on existing control systems while maintaining backward compatibility with current and future user equipment. In 2024, L3Harris was selected to design concepts for Phase 0 of the R-GPS program through the Space Enterprise Consortium, which the National Security Technology Accelerator manages. The agile R-GPS satellite program aims to reduce costs by launching eight smaller, more advanced space vehicles simultaneously, allowing the United States to quickly modernize GPS.

July 21, 2025
Honeywell gets US contracts to develop quantum navigation systems

Honeywell has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to participate in the Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) program. The program aims to accelerate adoption of quantum sensors to address near-term alternative position, navigation and timing (PNT) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) applications for the U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Honeywell has been chosen to support the TQS program under two DOD contracts: CRUISE (Compact Rubidium Unit for Inertial Sensing and Estimation) and QUEST (Quantum Enabled Sensor Technologies for MagNav).

“With the growing threat of jamming and spoofing, aircraft and naval vessels on critical missions can no longer rely solely on GPS,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager, Navigation and Sensors, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Quantum sensors have the potential to augment existing navigation solutions, helping pilots operate with greater confidence. Honeywell’s pedigree in fielded sensors and navigation solutions provide us with a unique perspective to ensure the technology is viable beyond the laboratory.”

The CRUISE program, established by the DOD in partnership with Vector Atomic, will focus on developing quantum sensor-based inertial measurement units (IMUs) to provide a standalone navigation solution without relying on traditional GNSS susceptible to jamming and spoofing. Honeywell will support the development of this quantum-sensor-based technology, which will enable the measurement of acceleration and orientation from an IMU mounted to a vehicle to calculate changes in position and velocity. As a result, it will meet next-generation performance requirements at a lower size, weight and power than existing products.

The QUEST program aims to advance the performance of magnetic anomaly aided navigation (MagNav), which is a GNSS-independent navigation technique that uses quantum magnetometers to leverage measurements of the magnetic field of the Earth as a navigation signal. Through the program, the DOD aims to improve these quantum magnetometers and demonstrate their utility in GNSS-denied flight. Building on its deep expertise in innovative navigation solutions, Honeywell’s main contribution will be to generate novel algorithms that utilize these sensors and improve navigation accuracy.

“As quantum sensor-based navigation technology matures, we believe it not only has the potential to displace existing technologies but will also be a serious disruptor to the inertial and magnetic sensor industries,” Picchetti said. “Most importantly, it could improve navigation in high-stakes environments – enhancing safety, efficiency and overall mission success for the DOD.”

July 17, 2025
Topcon Agriculture introduces Value Line Steering solution for smaller farms

Topcon Agriculture has released its new Value Line Steering solution for farmers using mid-range tractors on small- to medium-sized farms. The new offering represents a significant step in making autosteering technology, typically used on larger machinery, accessible to a broader range of farmers.

“With the Value Line, we are opening up opportunities for farmers who have older or smaller machinery, or smaller specialty farms, to boost the value of their machinery, with autosteering technology that is based on our proven premium steering technology used for decades on larger machines,” said Antonio Marzia, executive vice president, Topcon Agriculture. “It is an integrated system designed to seamlessly work with a variety of tractors, including compliance with ISOBUS-UT functionality to offer universal compatibility and ease of use. Our goal is to provide high-quality, reliable, affordable, value-added technology that works across a wide range of applications, machinery and brands.”

The Value Line Steering solution is a comprehensive package that includes a GNSS receiver, electric steering wheel controller, touchscreen console and Horizon Lite software, compatible with front-wheel-steer tractors. Farmers also have the option to add local, satellite or RTK correction services such as Topcon’s Topnet Live for enhanced precision based on their unique needs.

Autosteering allows for more efficient use of resources, leading to reduced input costs for seeds, fertilizers, and fuel. This not only improves the farm’s bottom line but also contributes to more sustainable farming practices. The increased accuracy in field operations can also lead to improved crop yields, further enhancing profitability.

Farmers from various agricultural sectors, including commodity crops, specialty crops, and mixed farming systems, can expect significant benefits in their operations when adopting the technology.

The Value Line Steering solution is available through Topcon Agriculture’s global network of authorized dealers.

July 17, 2025