Autonomous Navigation & Positioning

Find Autonomous Navigation companies and suppliers of positioning technology for autonomous vehicles, drones and robotics; UAV, UGV, USV & AUV
Overview Autonomous Navigation & Positioning
By Technology Editor Last updated: October 20th, 2023

Autonomous navigation allows unmanned vehicles and robotics to follow preset waypoints or plan their own routes without input from human operators. This may require inputs from a variety of different sensors and data sources, and onboard vehicle computing systems may also make use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer vision and machine learning.

autonomous positioning unit

GEO-FOG 3D INS & AHRS by KVH

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) may require autonomous navigation as part of BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations.

Collision and obstacle avoidance is a crucial part of UAV autonomous navigation, and a robust solution is essential for the required level of safety that must be demonstrated in order for such drones to be certified to operate. Autonomous positioning may also be required for station-keeping and loitering applications.

Robot navigation

Advanced Navigation’s Boreas D90 Digital FOG INS

Drones may use GPS/GNSS receivers, inertial navigation systems (INS), LiDAR scanners, ultrasonic sensors and visual cameras to navigate autonomously. They may also use a navigation technique known as SLAM (Simultaneous Location and Mapping) to create a map of their surroundings and understand their position within it.

UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles) and self-driving vehicles typically use a combination of GNSS, inertial measurement, and either LiDAR or cameras to provide autonomous navigation and collision avoidance capabilities. Sensor fusion is essential for the system to integrate the different sources of information in order to build an accurate model of the surrounding environment.

autonomous navigation

Phins Subsea – iXblue’s high-performance INS for deep-water operations

USVs (unmanned surface vessels) may use autonomous navigation to undertake long voyages in marine and maritime environments. In addition to LiDAR navigation and camera sensors, they may use AIS and weather data to plan the most favorable route, avoiding other vessels and challenging waters.

AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) cannot rely on GPS or GNSS signals for navigation, as radio waves do not penetrate well in water. In addition to internal navigation systems, they may use acoustic solutions such as USBL (ultra-short baseline) and DVLs (Doppler velocity logs).

Products (7)

Compact Navigator

Compact navigation system for GNSS-denied and constrained unmanned platforms

Compact navigation system for GNSS-denied and constrained unmanned platforms
Teledyne Marine’s Compact Navigator is a self-contained autonomous navigation unit developed for...
Applanix POS LV

Position and orientation system for UGVs and land vehicles

Position and orientation system for UGVs and land vehicles
Applanix POS LV is a turnkey positioning and orientation system designed for UGVs (unmanned ground...
Autonomous Navigation System

Next-generation marine navigation technology for smarter and safer vessels

Next-generation marine navigation technology for smarter and safer vessels
Maritime Robotics’ state-of-the-art Autonomous Navigation System combines advanced processing...
FOG IMU U123D

Small, low power FOG-based inertial measurement unit

Small, low power FOG-based inertial measurement unit
The U123D is a FOG-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a lightweight ultra-compact design and...
FOG IMU U121D

Miniature, low power FOG-based inertial measurement unit

Miniature, low power FOG-based inertial measurement unit
The U121D is a FOG-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a lightweight compact form factor and ...
FOG IMU U183(M)

Low noise, ultra-compact FOG-based inertial measurement unit

Low noise, ultra-compact FOG-based inertial measurement unit
The U183 is a FOG-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) with an ultra-compact cylindrical form facto...
Voyager AI Survey

Autonomous navigation software for commercial USVs

Autonomous navigation software for commercial USVs
Voyager AI Survey is a highly configurable entry-level software solution that provides commercial su...

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Platinum Partners
Trimble Applanix

Precision Positioning & Orientation Solutions for Unmanned Applications

Greensea IQ

Robotics and Subsea Technologies for Defense, Commercial & Science Applications

FIBERPRO

Tactical-Grade Fiber Optic Gyros & FOG IMU for UAVs & Autonomous Vehicles

VectorNav Technologies

High-Performance Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for Unmanned Systems

Exail

Inertial Navigation & Positioning Technology for Unmanned, Autonomous Systems

Teledyne Marine

Autonomous and Unmanned Marine Vehicles: USV, AUV, Marine ROV; Profiling Floats & Towed Systems

Advanced Navigation

Software-Defined Inertial Navigation Systems (MEMS & FOG), and Acoustic Positioning Solutions

MicroStrain by HBK

Inertial Sensors, MEMS IMU, AHRS Systems, Vertical Reference Units & GNSS-INS for Unmanned Systems

Inertial Labs, a VIAVI Solutions Company

Inertial Navigation Sensors: MEMS IMU, Accelerometers, Gyroscopes, AHRS, GPS-INS & Point Cloud Generation

SBG Systems

Inertial Navigation Systems, INS/GPS, AHRS, and IMU Sensors for Unmanned Systems

NovAtel

Precise Positioning for Unmanned Vehicles: GPS & GNSS Receivers, Antennas & Inertial Systems

Gold Partners
Maritime Robotics

Cutting-Edge Autonomous Navigation Systems & USV Technologies

Harxon Corporation

RTK Antennas - Positioning, Tracking & Surveying GNSS Antennas for Drones & Robots

MostaTech

Miniature Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOG Sensors) & IMUs for UAVs & Robotics

EMCORE Corporation

High Performance FOG, RLG, and Quartz MEMS Inertial Sensors - Gyros, IRU, IMU, INS

Gladiator Technologies

MEMS Inertial Sensors: IMUs, GPS-Aided INS, Gyroscopes, Accelerometers, AHRS

Sonardyne International

Tracking, Navigation, Positioning and Communication Sensors for AUV, ROV, USV

Silver Partners
Robosys Automation

Maritime Autonomy Solutions for Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) & Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)

Wavefront Systems

Underwater Sonar: Side-Scan Imaging Sonar & Forward Looking Sonar for Obstacle Avoidance & Navigation

FarSounder

3D Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) for USV Navigation

CHC Navigation

GNSS Positioning & Navigation Systems, Mobile Mapping UAV LiDAR & Unmanned Surface Vehicles

Silicon Sensing

MEMS Inertial Sensor Solutions, IMUs, Gyroscopes and MEMS Accelerometers for Unmanned Vehicles

UAV Propulsion Tech

UAV Hardware Solutions: Propulsion & Fuel Systems, Servos & Flight Controllers, Imaging Solutions, Launchers & Parachutes

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