What is a Magnetometer used for by Drones & Robotics?
Some of the most significant applications of magnetometers in the drone and unmanned systems sectors include:
Navigation and Orientation

Veronte MEX 3 Axis Magnetometer by Embention
For UAVs and drones, magnetometers can be used to provide accurate heading data, and are particularly critical in environments where GPS signals are degraded or unavailable, such as urban canyons, forests, or underground tunnels. Magnetic field measurements are combined via sensor fusion with data from gyroscopes and accelerometers to achieve robust heading outputs.
Magnetometers can also be used to determine orientation of the drone relative to magnetic north, and thus to provide estimation of yaw angle.
Geophysical and Magnetic Surveys
Magnetometry is widely used in geological surveys to detect mineral deposits, map fault lines, and monitor volcanic activity. UAVs equipped with 3-axis magnetometers can rapidly collect high-resolution magnetic field data over large areas, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional survey methods. These drones are also employed in environmental monitoring to assess magnetic field disturbances caused by human activity or natural events.
Subsurface Object Detection
In robotics and underwater systems, magnetometers are used to locate metallic objects buried underground or beneath the seabed. Applications include detecting unexploded ordnance (UXO), underwater pipelines, shipwrecks, and other submerged infrastructure. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with magnetometers can perform precise detection and mapping in challenging underwater environments.
Defense and Security
In military applications, drone magnetometers are used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and detecting hidden or camouflaged objects. Magnetometers can sense the presence of ferromagnetic materials, making them useful for identifying vehicles, weapons, or other metallic objects in the field. They are also employed in electronic warfare to monitor and analyse magnetic field disturbances caused by hostile systems.
Scientific Research and Magnetic Field Analysis
Magnetometers play a vital role in scientific research, particularly in studying Earth’s geomagnetic properties and tracking space weather phenomena. UAVs and other unmanned systems equipped with magnetometer sensors can conduct long-term studies of magnetic field changes, enabling breakthroughs in fields like seismology, climatology, and astrophysics.