Tag: autonomous vehicles

Launchpad: New solutions for surveying, OEM, machine control and more

Read a roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the May 2025 issue of GPS World magazine.

SURVEYING

Integrated Navigation Solution
Ideal for inspection and survey applications

Photo: Teledyne

Teledyne Compact Navigator is an ultra-compact autonomous integrated navigation system engineered for subsea and surface vehicles. It is ideal for small vehicles, enabling inspection and survey operations on compact platforms. The system is offered in two depth-rated models, one capable of operating at 4,000 m and another at 300 m. The Compact Navigator consumes less than 7 watts of power, extending mission duration by conserving energy. The system operates fully autonomously, eliminating the need for external aiding or operator intervention. Advanced phased array Doppler Velocity Log technology enhances performance while allowing the device to be mounted on an autonomous underwater vehicle or ship hull.

The Compact Navigator supports a broad range of applications, including autonomus underwater vehicles, shallow water surface navigation, operations in GNSS-denied environments and dynamic positioning for surface vehicles. The system provides true North-seeking gyrocompass-grade performance, and its web-based user interface supports integration, operation and troubleshooting. It is factory-calibrated and offers a battery backup option for reliability in demanding conditions. The system operates independently of satellite signals, making it resistant to jamming or signal loss. This capability is significant for shallow water navigation, where GNSS-based systems may be unreliable.

Teledyne Marine

3D Reality Capture Solution
Can be used across various industries

Photo: Faro

FARO Blink, a new 3D reality capture solution, is designed to make collecting and utilizing 3D data more accessible and efficient. It centers on software-driven technology integrating advanced visualization and automated workflows through the FARO Sphere XG Digital Reality Platform. This integration aims to simplify operations and deliver faster, more actionable insights for users across various industries.

FARO Blink is tailored for professionals in fields such as surveying and construction. It offers high-quality visualization and can streamline workflows, allowing teams to efficiently capture, view and share 3D data, thereby enhancing project progress and collaboration.

Faro

Multibeam Echosounder
For bathymetric surveying

Photo: Hydro-Techmarine

The MS400C is a fully integrated multibeam echosounder designed for uncrewed surface vessels. The new system combines sonar processing, inertial navigation, GNSS positioning and sound velocity sensing into a single unit.

The MS400C seeks to address deployment challenges faced by USV operators during hydrographic surveying. Its compact, lightweight design allows direct mounting on small platforms. Installation involves connecting a few cables to the IPC and power supply and to the primary and secondary GNSS antennas. With preconfigured spatial relationships, operators can deploy and start surveying quickly, reducing configuration errors and ensuring consistent data quality.

Equipped with Auto Survey functionality, the system calibrates parameters based on water conditions, which streamlines pre-survey procedures. Real-time roll compensation and attitude data from the internal measurement unit, combined with sound velocity profiling, ensure high-fidelity depth measurements, even in dynamic conditions. Designed for autonomous and remotely operated survey platforms, the MS400C supports data collection in confined waterways.

Hyrdo-Techmarine

RTK/PPK GNSS System
With tilt compensation

Photo: Surveyann

The SurveyPod RTK/PPK GNSS system is built for professionals in surveying, agriculture, mining and construction. The system integrates GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou signals for improved satellite visibility and accuracy, even in harsh environments.

Powered by a CORS Network, SurveyPod offers real-time, centimeter-level positioning ideal for high-precision applications. The device supports tilt compensation for reliable data collection at angles and boasts up to 16 hours of battery life, making it ideal for extended field operations. With this launch, Nibrus Technologies is expanding its survey equipment portfolio, offering a Made-in-India GNSS solution to the global market.

Surveyann

OEM

North-Seeking IMU
Operates independently of GNSS

Photo: SBG Systems

This MEMS-based north-seeking inertial measurement unit (IMU) operates independently of GNSS. It can achieve a heading accuracy greater than 1° secant latitude without GNSS assistance. When integrated with GNSS and SBG Systems’ navigation algorithms, it can achieve INS heading accuracy greater than 0.01°.

Measuring 52 x 52 x 36 mm and weighing less than 150 g, it consumes only 2 watts of power. It offers long-term reliability in demanding conditions, and its ITAR-free status allows unrestricted global deployment. SBG Systems also has developed a new pure north-finding algorithm capable of rapid initialization in both static and dynamic conditions within one minute, as well as an advanced GNSS/INS fusion algorithm that delivers exceptional single-antenna heading accuracy even in low-dynamic environments.

The IMU is particularly suited for subsea applications, including remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles, as well as geospatial and marine surveying tasks requiring precise single antenna heading accuracy.

The first off-the-shelf solutions are expected to be available by early 2026.
SBG Systems

Post-Processing Software
With upgraded features

Photo: SBG Systems

Qinertia 4.2 is an updated version of SBG Systems’ post-processing software for GNSS and INS data. One of the notable additions is the beta version of Precise Point Positioning Fixed Ambiguity, which offers centimeter-level accuracy processing without the need for a base station. The update also includes a new RTS smoothing option, the Trajectory Smoother, which enhances INS processing by removing artifacts while maintaining precision. Another feature is the standalone Lever Arm Estimation Tool, now available as a separate application with a simplified interface. The Advanced Virtual Base Station Network Creation has been enhanced with improved base station quality indicators to increase reliability.

It is compatible with the New Ellipse series and supports Teledyne Intrepid INS. The software now offers faster processing speeds, enhanced geodesy functionalities such as base station velocity analysis, and updated tools for assessing processing quality through new status plots. It also supports the latest firmware versions of Ekinox, Apogee, Navsight and Quanta systems.
SBG Systems

MACHINE CONTROL

GNSS Receiver and INS System
For machine guidance

Photo: Septentrio

The AsteRx RB3 GNSS receiver and the AsteRx RBi3 GNSS/INS system are designed to operate in extreme environments. They feature IP69K-rated housings and components that have undergone ISO-standard testing.

The technology offers durability under heavy shocks, vibrations and challenging environmental conditions, making it suitable for demanding applications such as construction, mining and port automation.

The AsteRx RB3 and RBi3 utilize multi-frequency GNSS technology to deliver precise, centimeter-level positioning even in environments where GNSS signals are typically difficult to maintain. The receivers can be mounted externally on heavy machinery or integrated into chassis systems, offering flexibility in placement and simplifying installation.

The AsteRx RBi3 incorporates FUSE+ technology, which combines a high-performance GNSS engine with an industrial-grade inertial sensor. This integration provides accurate orientation data, such as heading, pitch and roll, alongside reliable positioning. In dual-antenna configurations, the receivers deliver sub-degree GNSS heading accuracy immediately upon initialization. The AsteRx RB3 and RBi3 are ideal for machine guidance in industries requiring rugged equipment to maintain precision under extreme conditions.

Septentrio

Handheld Reality Capture Solution
For maximum mobility 

Photo: Topcon Positioning

Designed for mass data solutions, the CR-H1 utilizes PIX4Dcatch, a specialized application with integrated lidar that runs on iPhone devices. It collects images and employs photogrammetry to create detailed, full-color 3D point clouds. The iPhone connects to Topcon’s HiPer CR receiver, enabling the application to collect georeferenced images. The receiver and iPhone are mounted on a specialized handle designed and manufactured by Topcon so that users can capture point clouds without a tripod.

The CR-H1 can be used for utilities and subsurface mapping, construction verification and earthworks, civil engineering and site verification, land surveying and forensics and 3D data capture. Topnet Live subscriptions are available for the CR-H1, providing real-time GNSS corrections that deliver higher-quality point clouds. 

Topcon Positioning

MOBILE

Handheld GPS Device
Can provide up to 200 hours of GPS navigation on a single charge

Photo: Garmin

The Garmin eTrex Solar is a handheld GPS device with a built-in solar charging feature. This feature allows for potentially unlimited battery life in optimal sunlight conditions. Even without direct solar input, the device can provide up to 200 hours of GPS navigation on a single charge, making it suitable for extended trips with limited access to power.

The device supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, IRNSS and Beidou. It features a rugged design, an IPX7 water resistance rating, and a compact, lightweight body that can be attached to a backpack or worn around the neck. Users can import GPX files and navigate to waypoints, courses and geocaches. It also includes a three-axis compass and can store up to a thousand waypoints, 50 courses and 200 activities.

Users can connect the eTrex Solar to their smartphones through the Garmin Explore app, which enables additional features such as geocaching details, weather updates, software updates, trip planning, and cloud storage syncing.

Garmin

New Product Offerings
Now featuring marine GNSS antennas

Photo: Geo-matching

Geo-matching has expanded its product database to include GNSS antennas. The initial marine GNSS antennas featured in this new category are the VP6300 from Calian GNSS, formerly Tallysman, and the AV34 from Trimble.

Geo-matching features detailed information on more than 1,300 products across 63 categories for surveying, navigation and machine guidance. The website is designed to guide users through complex product specifications, offering access to brochures, case studies, product videos and professional reviews. Among the many categories available on Geo-matching.com are hydrographic processing software, GNSS receivers, GIS software, inertial navigation systems, total stations, UAVs, sidescan sonars, imaging sonar and more. The platform encourages users to browse its extensive catalog, upload new products, leave reviews and register their companies to add products to the database.

Geo-matching

UAV

Mapping UAV
With a new “Smart Return-to-Home” feature

Photo: Flyability

Flyability has introduced a “Smart Return-to-Home” (RTH) feature for its Elios 3 UAV, designed to enhance its autonomous capabilities. This feature allows the UAV to return to its take-off point using the shortest available path while avoiding obstacles in real time.

During flight, Smart RTH monitors battery levels through a new flight management gauge, notifying the pilot when it is time to return. The feature is activated via Flyability’s Cockpit flight app, and pilots can take manual control at any point. By automating the return process, the system helps pilots focus on inspections without concerns about battery management or navigation in complex environments. Smart RTH uses lidar scans to generate a flight plan that the UAV executes independently.

Flyability

Drone Detection Software
FAA compliant

Photo: Aerodefense

The AirWarden Remote ID Receiver detects and decodes Remote ID signals broadcast by UAVs. It is designed for organizations and authorities that need to monitor UAV activity for safety, security and compliance with regulations.

It decodes the information transmitted by UAVs in accordance with FAA and other regulatory standards. The data it captures includes the UAV’s identification number, its precise location (latitude, longitude and altitude), the takeoff location, operator location if available, timestamps, and other relevant metadata.

The AirWarden can be deployed as a standalone unit or integrated into larger security and monitoring systems. Users interact with the system through a web-based or software interface that facilitates live monitoring, alert management, and data analysis.

Additionally, the AirWarden can integrate seamlessly with other security infrastructure, such as video surveillance and access control systems. This integration seeks to improve how security teams automate responses and coordinate actions when unauthorized or suspicious drone operations are identified.

Aerodefense

May 16, 2025
u-blox launches PointPerfect Global, completing GNSS correction portfolio with worldwide coverage

u-blox has introduced PointPerfect Global, its new high-precision GNSS correction service designed for applications that require sub-decimeter positioning accuracy, such as precision agriculture, UAV-based mapping and autonomous outdoor robotics. The service offers global coverage, including remote areas, through both internet and L-band satellite broadcast.

PointPerfect Global is engineered to provide convergence times under two minutes and accuracy of less than 10 cm. It uses Precise Point Positioning with Ambiguity Resolution (PPP-AR) corrections and is optimized for products built on the X20 platform. The u-blox ZED-X20P GNSS receiver will be the first device to support the new service, offering integrated L-band support for use in areas without cellular connectivity.

PointPerfect Global expands the u-blox PointPerfect portfolio, which also includes PointPerfect Live, a regional nRTK service for the most demanding applications, and PointPerfect Flex, the original PPP-RTK service designed for flexible IoT deployments. Together, these services provide scalable, high-performance positioning solutions tailored to a range of technical and commercial requirements.

The broadcast-based architecture of PointPerfect Global allows for scalable deployment across continents without the need for complex regional integration. This approach is intended to simplify logistics and operational complexity for OEMs and solution providers, supporting a variety of sectors including agriculture, robotics, UAVs, industrial automation, and automotive. The service is designed to deliver reliable performance with minimal infrastructure dependency, which is critical for mass-market autonomy and global scalability.

Early access to PointPerfect Global is scheduled for late 2025, with general availability expected in the first half of 2026.

May 15, 2025
SiFly launches long-range electric drones

SiFly, a Silicon Valley-based startup, has introduced a new line of long-range electric drones designed to expand industrial capabilities. The company’s flagship Q12 platform delivers more than two hours of continuous hover and up to three hours in forward flight, enabling a 90-mile operational range while carrying payloads of up to 10 lbs. According to the company, this can lead to new possibilities for Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) missions that were previously unattainable. SiFly plans to begin deliveries of the Q12 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

SiFly also unveiled the Q250, a heavy-lift drone capable of transporting 200-lbs payloads with a 100-minute endurance. This capability allows the Q250 to serve as a direct replacement for expensive helicopter operations in fire suppression, commercial and military cargo transport, and agricultural spraying.

SiFly is currently demonstrating its technology for public and private sector organizations across the United States and plans to announce multiple strategic industry partnerships in the coming months.

May 13, 2025
Meeting the autonomy promise: Advanced navigation for sea, land and air

A 2019 RAND report for the U.S. Navy concluded that autonomy could still be in the distant future. The Navy should take care that a number of claimed autonomy applications could be more aspirational than practical, the report stated, with the applications nowhere near to operational capability. The authors wrote that huge investments may be required to achieve autonomous naval weapon systems, not only in autonomy.

Around the world in recent years, most armed forces and many advanced technology companies, along with government agencies, have been investing in AI and automation. Perhaps now, just six years later in 2025, we already are looking foward to unmanned vehicles that display not just fundamental autonomy, but also quite advanced “auto-capability.”

In the world’s water

The U.S. Navy (USN) has been operating a number of unmanned surface vessels (USV) over the past several years. In a 2023/2024 Pacific Fleet exercise, four USV models (Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Mariner and Ranger) were mostly operated autonomously. Ranger has a small bridge manned only for harbor maneuvers.

An Orca extra large UUV (XLUUV) is tested in a tank. With a range of 6,500 nautical miles, the submarine can perform long missions. Its navigation system features a Kalman-filtered inertial unit supported by Doppler velocity logs and depth sensors. Photo: Boeing

The USN has unmanned autonomy programs for large, small and underwater vehicles. The Orca submarine program is slated to consist of five 51-foot-long vehicles, and includes variants fitted with an added 30-foot payload section. To operate for several months underwater, it is likely that a similar degree of autonomy has been incorporated. ORCA surfaces regularly and can be given new routing if required.

Saildrone’s autonomous research vessel (Photo: Saildrone)

Other types of vessels collect ocean and seafloor data. The environmentally friendly Saildrone can operate independently — we could say autonomously — for more than a year. The Saildrone company, based in Alameda, California, contracts out its USVs, providing its technology to agencies and governments and taking on the risks of ocean surveying to acquire valuable data. Saidrones are equipped with satellite communications, GNSS navigation, weather sensors and sub-surface sensors.

Wheels on the road

Autonomy applications on land are dominated by commercial self-driving cars, Tesla being the leading manufacturer in the U.S. However, full autonomy is still a considerable way from being ready. At the full-autonomy level, known as Level 6 in the auto industry, the vehicle does all the driving, including obstacle avoidance, under all conditions, without any geographic limitation. Nevertheless, we appear to have progressed from basic manual control (Level 0) to somewhere around Level 3, where the vehicle is largely aware of its environment, and does most of the driving. Even so, human monitoring and control are still required.

Tesla’s autopilot technology in its Model S and Model X electric vehicles could be referred to as an advanced driver assistance system — or as Tesla calls it, “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” — and is reported to handle emergency steering and braking, autonomous steering, lane changing, vehicle following, curve negotiation, and automatic parking. Autopilot sensor inputs are provided by 12 ultrasonic sensors and eight cameras providing a 360° field of view.

Tesla Autopilot intelligence can identify more than 250 traffic signs 50 countries, including turn signs and speed limits. It can identify and interpret traffic lights and road markings, and decide what to do when coming across things such as traffic cones and pedestrians.

Nevertheless, Tesla’s have been involved in quite a few accidents, the cause of which has been analyzed to be mostly a lack of driver attention (supervision), and in a number of cases, a failure of the autonomous system to recognize unusual road conditions.

Another company, Leo Drive, specializes in providing scalable software and hardware solutions, offering an end-to-end, one-stop service for integration of autonomous systems. Its mission is to make autonomous technology more accessible and widely adopted across various industries.

For its autonomous test vehicle, Leo Drive is using the Ellipse-D, a dual-antenna RTK inertial navigation system (INS) from SBG Systems. The company chose the Ellipse-D for its accuracy, reliability, and advanced features — all essential for autonomous vehicle development and testing. The Ellipse-D INS was integrated into Leo Drive’s, a passenger car converted for autonomous operations.

Oshkosh Defense integrated autonomous technology onto Palletized Load System vehicles as part of the Expedient Leader Follower program. Photo: Oshkosh Defense

The U.S. Army has been using automation in its weapon systems for some time. How much autonomous behavior, of which these systems are truly capable, may be difficult to determine. The General Atomics Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is largely controlled over long-distance satellite links by operators in control stations. It’s possible that the same set up is true of most of the Army’s automated weapons — probably motivated by the need to avoid systems independently determining their own targets and firing without human confirmation.

It’s difficult to determine just what army programs are underway, other than to acknowledge that programs have been launched in the past. There doesn’t appear to be any open, clear indication of the degree of autonomy to be included. A couple of programs have produced at least visible hardware, but how much or little human control is involved is unclear.

Taking flight

Up in the air, new autonomy contender Mayman Aerospace is offering the Razor, a jet-powered vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV. Development of Razor is funded by private investment and U.S. Department of Defense contracts.

The RAZOR VTOL with gimbled jet pods passed tests at a military base in California in September 2024. Photo: Mayman Aerospace

Razor is imbued with a degree of AI that enables autonomous decision-making, as well as navigation. Its autonomous AI brain — the SkyField flight-control system — navigates independently in a GPS-denied environment, possibly involving ground beacons and eventually integrating with battlefield management systems. With a 5- to 6-foot-long airframe and sculpted shape, the aircraft presents a low radar cross section and has a degree of stealth to assist in the penetration of enemy defenses. Its top speed of 500 mph provides new options for both military and commercial applications, according to Mayman.

Razor also can aid disaster recovery, rescue operations, and the delivery of urgently needed life-saving cargo.

Many VTOL unmanned aircraft have struggled with the transition from vertical to horizontal flight. On its first vertical lift-off and climb-out on four jet engines, Razor paused briefly at altitude. Then its jet pods tilted slightly toward horizontal before the aircraft went directly into horizontal flight. An earlier flying testbed may have assisted the development of transition software, perhaps with a boost from machine learning.

Designed for deliveries, the EHang 216 heavy cargo, 16-rotor unmanned aircraft can carry a payload of 551 pounds over almost 22 miles with a top speed of 80 mph, according to the EHang company. The UAV is fully autonomously operated while being monitored over a 4G/5G data link at a manned control center. The system has an automatic fail-safe mode in which the UAV will return to base if the communications link goes down or if battery power drops too low.

EHang also uses a redundant design, with two GPS receivers and double rotors, ensuring a low likelihood of failure during a delivery run.

More In development

So while land vehicle autonomy is moving forward — with Tesla cars and Army vehicles that apparently can take control with close human monitoring — we still have some distance to go to achieve fully independent autonomous behavior on the road.

The Ehang 216 heavy-cargo UAV EHang 216L is designed for deliveries, including life-saving ones. Photo: Ehang video screenshot

Autonomous applications on the sea are more common, with U.S. Navy applications showing substantial progress. Still, precise navigation in crowded harbors remains under human control. Humans are still watching and monitoring, ready to intervene should military or commercial UAV applications make untoward execution errors.

We will continue to follow developments of significant autonomy programs such as the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a new type of uncrewed weapon system. The CCA and other programs are maintaining high investment levels, so it’s possible that we may see full autonomy fielded quite soon. Perhaps then our belief in its capability will become fully justified.

May 12, 2025
SPH Engineering enhances UAV software to boost field operation efficiency

SPH Engineering has released an updated version of its UgCS UAV mission planning software, introducing significant improvements in elevation data accuracy and user control over flight parameters. The latest version allows users to explicitly set flight altitude for photogrammetry and corridor mapping missions, moving beyond the previous requirement to use ground sample distance as the primary input. This change seeks to offer UAV operators greater clarity and precision, particularly for operations that demand specific altitudes and a clear understanding of expected image resolution.

For users in the United States, UgCS now integrates USGS 1/3 Arc Second elevation data by default. This enhancement increases the resolution of elevation data from one data point every 30 m to one every 10 m, designed to improve the accuracy of terrain-following missions and making flight operations safer and more efficient in complex or mountainous areas.

The update also brings several interface enhancements designed to streamline the mission planning process. The ‘Export Route’ button is now more prominent, making it easier for users to access, especially those using the UgCS Open version. When creating a new route, the software displays the five most popular drone models first, simplifying selection for common platforms. For drones equipped with multi-lens cameras, UgCS now defaults to the wide camera during photogrammetry route planning, reducing the need for manual adjustments.

Additionally, the Visual Inspection route category has been improved with the introduction of a Circle tool, which simplifies the planning of circular orbits around specific points of interest. No-Fly Zones are now disabled by default in new installations, allowing for faster mission setup. The new version also expands hardware compatibility by adding support for the DJI M3D and M3TD UAVs.

May 6, 2025
Inertial Labs, a VIAVI Solutions company, launches tactical-grade MEMS IMU

Inertial Labs, a VIAVI Solutions company, has released the IMU-H100, a micro-electromechanical systems inertial measurement unit (IMU) designed to improve tactical guidance and navigation for UAVs, short-range missiles, precision-guided munitions and a range of commercial applications.

As technology for unmanned vehicles advances and safety considerations take precedence, both military and commercial sectors are increasing their adoption of IMUs, which are critical for navigation and control systems. An IMU can track angular velocity and linear acceleration using MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers. These devices are now considered essential for guidance, navigation, orientation and stabilization, especially in short- and medium-range flight control systems. Their applications extend to autonomous vehicles operating on land, at sea and in aerospace and defense sectors.

The IMU-H100 is a tactical-grade unit that features accelerometers and gyroscopes on all three axes. It offers a gyro bias of 1° per hour and an accelerometer bias of 1 mg. The unit measures 5 cubic inches and weighs 160 g. According to the company, the IMU-H100 surpasses comparable products in data rate, measurement range, stability and repeatability, even under challenging conditions such as vibration, shock, high acceleration, spinning, temperature changes and acoustic noise.

May 5, 2025
US Army selects AEVEX Aerospace for short-range launched effects demonstration

The U.S. Army has selected AEVEX Aerospace to participate in the Launched Effects-Short Range Special User Demonstration, an initiative aimed at advancing the Army’s integration of sophisticated uncrewed systems to improve battlefield effectiveness. AEVEX will present its Atlas Group II launched effect during the demonstration, a lightweight and agile system engineered for precision missions that directly support frontline troops. The Atlas system reflects AEVEX’s commitment to developing innovative technologies that address the Army’s evolving operational threats and mission requirements.

Throughout the demonstration, soldiers from various Army branches — including field artillery, infantry, and aviation — will operate the Atlas system to refine tactics, techniques and procedures. Their hands-on feedback will play a critical role in shaping how the Army employs launched effects in the future, influencing both requirements and operational strategies.

May 5, 2025
Researchers find hybrid navigation best for GPS-denied UAVs
A report published in the April 7 edition of Satellite Navigation (DOI: 10.1186/s43020-025-00162-z) concludes that hybrid approaches are the most reliable solution for UAV navigation. The comprehensive review, by a research team from Prince Sultan University, evaluated 132 papers on UAV navigation in GPS-denied environments.

The research team focused on absolute and relative localization techniques including vision-based systems, lidar and terrain-aided algorithms. The review examined two primary methods for UAV navigation in GPS-denied areas:
- absolute localization, which uses pre-mapped terrain data (such as TERCOM and DSMAC)
- relative localization methods such as SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) and visual-inertial odometry that relies on real-time sensor data.
While absolute methods face limitations in featureless environments, relative techniques offer adaptability but require significant computational resources. Vision-based systems, particularly when enhanced with AI for feature recognition, hold considerable promise, though lighting conditions remain a challenge, the report concludes.

The research emphasizes the importance of sensor fusion, demonstrating that combining lidar, radar and inertial measurements – alongside advanced filtering techniques such as Kalman filters – can substantially improve navigation reliability.

Furthermore, real-time processing is crucial, with hardware accelerators like GPUs and optimized algorithms, such as LSTM networks, enabling faster data analysis and decision-making.

While hybrid systems combining terrain maps with live SLAM data offer a balance of accuracy and flexibility, the study acknowledges the need for further refinement to scale these solutions across various environments. Advancements in AI processing power and edge computing will be key to fully autonomous UAV operations in unpredictable real-world conditions.

“No single sensor or algorithm can solve all the challenges of GPS-denied navigation,” said Imen Jarraya, lead author of the study. “Our research shows that combining absolute and relative localization with multi-sensor fusion is the key to achieving reliable UAV navigation. Future work must focus on optimizing these systems to handle the unpredictability of environments ranging from dense urban areas to remote disaster zones.”

This research holds implications for industries relying on UAVs, such as logistics, agriculture, and defense, Jarraya explained. UAVs delivering medical supplies to remote or disaster-stricken areas could operate without GPS, and military drones could navigate in signal-jammed regions.

The study also points to the need for regulatory frameworks to standardize these technologies, ensuring their safe and efficient integration into future infrastructures. As UAVs become integral to smart cities and infrastructure inspection, overcoming the limitations of GPS will ensure safer, more effective operations. These findings encourage further investment in AI-driven navigation and collaborative research to refine these systems for global use.
May 2, 2025
NAL Research, VectorNav collaborate on solution for GNSS/GPS-denied environments

NAL Research and VectorNav Technologies — two U.S.-based leaders in assured position, navigation, and timing (APNT) solutions — are joining forces to develop and produce Iridium STL (satellite time and location)-aided inertial navigation systems (INS) designed to meet the increasing demand for resilient PNT in GNSS-denied environments.

Both companies will be exhibiting and discussing the collaboration during the SOF Week Exposition in Tampa, Florida, May 5–8, NAL Research (#3005) and VectorNav (#1941).

Operators of uncrewed systems, in particular, can benefit from implementing an INS solution that leverages NAL’s Iridium STL-enabled APNT receivers to maintain critical operations in areas where GPS/GNSS signals are denied or degraded.

For such applications, VectorNav is leveraging its VN-210E GNSS-aided INS, which combines a tactical-grade IMU with an L1/L2 GNSS receiver in a miniature, board-mount package. Designed for maximum modularity, the VN-210E hosts VectorNav’s tightly coupled INS and includes four serial ports that enable simultaneous integration with multiple external PNT-aiding sources, such as NAL Research’s ALTM Gen2 Mini Iridium STL receiver. When paired, the system provides a high-rate and continuous position, velocity and attitude solution — even in dynamic applications and in GNSS-denied environments.

“This complete offering delivered through our high velocity collaboration with VectorNav will deliver dynamic innovation to the emerging APNT market,” said NAL Research President Robert Bills. “Our partnership streamlines our customers’ implementation of alternative APNT sources. We look forward to helping government and enterprise users achieve operational success by enabling the ability to rapidly implement highly accurate and reliable navigation solutions.”

NAL Research and VectorNav will continue to focus on co-developing product solutions that combine VectorNav’s industrial and tactical-grade INS with NAL Research’s Iridium STL receivers. Future offerings will focus on reducing SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost), increasing environmental resilience, and supporting MIL-STD compliance for defense and aerospace applications.

“The demand for robust APNT solutions, manufactured at scale and capable of supporting dynamic autonomous systems, is growing rapidly — particularly in the critical maritime domain,” said Jakub Maslikowski, VP of business development for VectorNav. “This collaboration with NAL Research will help to realize the emerging LEO satellite PNT capability and strengthen the U.S. and allied nations’ resilience when operating in contested environments.”

May 1, 2025
AgEagle software update enables drone navigation without GNSS signals

AgEagle Aerial Systems has released its eBee VISION application software, introducing a suite of updates designed to enhance drone navigation in environments where GNSS signals are compromised or unavailable.

The latest software enables autonomous position updates with map referencing, allowing for precise navigation even when satellite signals are jammed, spoofed or blocked, according to the company. This seeks to provide operational continuity for defense personnel, public safety agencies and industrial teams operating in high-stakes, GNSS-denied environments such as dense urban centers, near critical infrastructure or in contested zones with active signal interference.

The update also introduces features such as optical flow stabilization for target lock, which uses visual cues to keep the camera centered on a point of interest during zoom-ins or drone movement. The software allows for adaptive behavior after GNSS recovery or visual repositioning, enabling seamless transitions if the drone’s position suddenly updates due to GNSS recovery or visual geo-referencing.

Additional enhancements include real-time mission duration and return-to-home estimates, optimized cruise speed in windy conditions, high-precision landings using lidar-based altitude calibration, a gimbal auto-recovery mechanism to clear obstructions mid-flight and smart motor speed reduction to prevent overheating during extreme conditions.

AgEagle, founded in 2010, designs and delivers flight hardware, sensors and software for users in energy, construction, agriculture and government sectors worldwide.

April 29, 2025
Hydro-Tech unveils multibeam echosounder for USVs

Hydro-Tech has unveiled the MS400C, a fully integrated multibeam echosounder designed for uncrewed surface vessels. The new system combines sonar processing, inertial navigation, GNSS positioning and sound velocity sensing into a single unit.

The MS400C seeks to address deployment challenges faced by USV operators during hydrographic surveying. Its compact, lightweight design allows direct mounting on small platforms. Installation involves connecting a few cables to the IPC and power supply and to the primary and secondary GNSS antennas. With preconfigured spatial relationships, operators can deploy and start surveying quickly, reducing configuration errors and ensuring consistent data quality. Equipped with Auto Survey functionality, the system calibrates parameters based on water conditions, which streamlines pre-survey procedures. Real-time roll compensation and attitude data from the internal IMU, combined with sound velocity profiling, ensure high-fidelity depth measurements, even in dynamic conditions. Designed for autonomous and remotely operated survey platforms, the MS400C supports data collection in confined waterways.

April 22, 2025
Teledyne Marine launches autonomous navigation solution

Teledyne Marine has launched the Teledyne Compact Navigator, an ultra-compact autonomous integrated navigation system engineered for subsea and surface vehicles. It is ideal for small vehicles, enabling inspection and survey operations on compact platforms. The system is offered in two depth-rated models, one capable of operating at 4,000 m and another at 300 m. The Compact Navigator consumes less than seven watts of power, extending mission duration by conserving energy. The system operates fully autonomously, eliminating the need for external aiding or operator intervention. Advanced phased array Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) technology enhances performance while allowing the device to be mounted on an autonomous underwater vehicle or ship hull.

Compact Navigator supports a broad range of applications, including ROVs, AUVs, shallow water surface navigation, operations in GNSS-denied environments and dynamic positioning for surface vehicles. The system provides true North-seeking gyrocompass-grade performance, and its web-based user interface supports integration, operation, and troubleshooting. It is factory-calibrated and offers a battery backup option for reliability in demanding conditions. The system operates independently of satellite signals, making it resistant to jamming or signal loss. This capability is significant for shallow water navigation, where GNSS-based systems may be unreliable.

April 22, 2025