Vision-Based Approach and Landing System (VALS)

Incorporating a vision-based navigation method, NASA Ames has developed a novel Alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) solution for AAM aircraft in environments where GPS is not available. Read on to learn more about it.

RTK and Sensor Fusion for Autonomous Vehicle Navigation & Guidance

This is an exciting time in robotics and vehicle automation, and sensors of all kinds provide critical data to drive this technology forward. But the sensor stack for AVs and ADAS is incomplete without a reliable source of absolute positioning. Read on to learn more.

New Technique Could Improve GPS Navigation Devices

For the first time, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin’s Applied Research Laboratories and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center have formed a radio interferometer between a GPS antenna and receiver and a large radio telescope. Read on to learn more about the new technique.

Light-Based Tech to Navigate the Moon

RMIT University’s Arnan Mitchell and University of Adelaide’s Dr. Andy Boes led an international team to review lithium niobate’s capabilities and potential applications in the journal Science. The team is working to make navigation systems that help rovers drive on the Moon — where GPS is unable to work — later this decade.

This MEMS Scanning Mirror Could Solve LiDAR’s Expensive Autonomous Vehicle Challenges

Omnitron Sensors Co-founder and CEO Eric Aguilar has developed a key component for LiDARs featured in autonomous vehicles, based on his experience working with LiDAR in a variety of past roles with some of the world’s largest technology providers and manufacturers.

System for Flight Control of Hypersonic Aircraft

Researchers have designed an electrode-based system for guidance, navigation, and control of aircraft or spacecraft moving at hypersonic speeds in ionizing atmospheres.

Drones Navigate Unseen Environments via Liquid Neural Networks

Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have introduced a method for robust flight navigation agents to master vision-based fly-to-target tasks in intricate, unfamiliar environments.

Lunar Surface Navigation System

Scientists have developed a novel concept for a lunar navigation system based on the reverse-ephemeris technique.

Laser-Light-Based Accelerometer

The tiny device accurately measures acceleration in smaller navigation systems and other devices.

More Reliable Doppler LiDAR for Autonomous Navigation

The LiDAR sensor utilizes Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) technique to determine the distance to the target and the velocity between the sensor and target.

Sensor Breakthrough Paves the Way for a Map of the World Under Earth’s Surface

The sensor works by detecting variations in microgravity using the principles of quantum physics, which is based on manipulating nature at the sub-molecular level.

Next-Generation High-Performance Lasers

NASA’ Deep Space Network (DSN), a sort of GPS system for space, relies on atomic clocks for extreme accuracy. Any modern navigation system must accurately time radio signals to triangulate a location....

Inkjet Printing of Metamaterials

Metamaterials that manipulate microwave energy can be fabricated using low-cost inkjet printing.

Compact 3D LiDAR Imaging System

A silicon chip provides a low-cost solution to help machines see the world clearly.

ARTEMIS III: Return to the Surface

The third flight of SLS and Orion will carry the first woman and first person of color to the Moon.

Making Measurements with a Fine-Toothed Comb

The comb detects even the smallest amounts of greenhouse gases in the air or look for disease in human breath.

High-Resolution, Continuous Field-of-View, Non-Rotating Imaging System

Applications include planetary exploration and imaging systems used in surveillance, navigation, and target recognition.

GPS-Enhanced Onboard Navigation System (GEONS)

The open-architecture flight software package provides solutions for onboard orbit determination.

Next-Generation MEMS IMUs — High Performance, Scalable

Editor Ed Brown explores what’s ahead for MEMS automobile navigation systems.

A Better Way to Measure Acceleration

Researchers have developed a millimeter-thick accelerometer.

Navigation Algorithm Enables Drones to Learn Acrobatic Maneuvers

Autonomous quadcopters can be trained using simulations to increase their speed, agility, and efficiency.

Laser-Light-Based Accelerometer

The tiny device accurately measures acceleration in smaller navigation systems and other devices.

Underwater Navigation System Powered by Sound

This system enables battery-free ocean exploration with applications ranging from marine conservation to aquaculture.

Processor Power and Energy Efficiency

Just like smartphones, the same trend of combining separate components into one device is also apparent in industrial automation.

Products of Tomorrow

A malaria-test "bandage"; underwater navigation via sound; and a biodegrading, implantable sensor.

Autonomous Drone Navigation System Ends Reliance on GPS

NASA's UAS traffic management expertise leads to advances in drone navigation.

ONav and GeoPixel™ Web-Based Navigation for the Collection of Aerial Imagery

Multiple commercial applications include defense, search and rescue, and disaster relief.

Directional UAV Localization of Power Line Ultraviolet Corona

This method detects power line faults using a drone.