Advanced Navigation an innovator in artificial intelligence (AI) for robotic and navigation technologies, has unveiled a new high-tech robotics facility for autonomous systems based at UTS Tech Lab. Located in Botany, NSW, the facility will scale up the manufacturing of Advanced Navigation’s AI navigation systems for GPS-denied environments, including its digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technology, Boreas.

Advanced Navigation is one of only four known companies in the world with the capability to manufacture strategic grade fibre-optic gyroscopes, empowering navigation for marine vessels, space missions, aerospace, defence, autonomous vehicles and flying taxis. The company deploys its AI-based physics algorithms to solve complex challenges both Earth-bound and beyond.

Adopting a vertical integration framework, the new facility houses equipment and processes for automated manufacturing utilising machine learning, which should ensure the delivery of reliable, durable and high-quality navigation systems. The facility will also be home to extensive research collaborations between Advanced Navigation and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), expediting the commercialisation of socially impactful technologies including:

• Light Detection, Altimetry and Velocimetry (LiDAV) — LiDAV delivers precise three-dimensional velocity and altitude information relative to the lunar surface, enabling complex autonomous landing procedures and confident exploration on the moon. The technology is set to board US-based space systems company Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander as part of NASA’s ongoing Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

• Cloud Ground Control — A revolutionary cloud-based solution that allows pilots and mission planners to remotely command and control a swarm of uncrewed vehicles across air, land and sea through a web browser. By enabling real-time video feed, telemetry and easy access and management of captured data, Cloud Ground Control provides full remote visibility and situational awareness in search and rescue, emergency response and disaster relief operations.

• Guiding visually impaired passengers — As part of the NSW Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program, Advanced Navigation has developed an indoor positioning technology to support members of the visually impaired community to navigate safely inside underground train stations.
   

“Determined to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution, we are commercialising technologies that are key to addressing some of humanity’s biggest challenges,” said Chris Shaw, Advanced Navigation co-founder and CEO. “We are honoured to partner with UTS, who has a reputation for supporting multidisciplinary research and opening access to next-generation technologies.”

“UTS is pleased to be working with Advanced Navigation to tap into critical growth areas, including AI, robotics and space technologies,” added Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President of UTS. “The collaboration between UTS’s global research leaders in autonomous systems technology and Advanced Navigation’s exceptional team of scientists and engineers, utilising UTS Tech Lab’s cutting-edge facilities, highlights our commitment to developing sovereign capabilities for defence and space.

“We look forward to deepening and expanding our collective capabilities with Advanced Navigation to accelerate the production of high-impact innovations.”