Advanced Technology Advancements: Robots and Vehicles Aim for Sub-inch Positioning Precision
In a groundbreaking development, Swift Navigation's Skylark Precise Positioning Service is set to redefine the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) landscape. This cloud-based service improves GNSS positioning accuracy by an astonishing 100 times, achieving centimeter-level accuracy compared to the typical 3 to 10 meter range of traditional GPS systems [1][3][4].
The service, which operates entirely in the cloud, applies advanced corrections in real time using atmospheric modeling, carrier-grade networks, and encrypted correction streams to correct GPS signal distortions dynamically [1][3][4]. Skylark's robust security features, including network-validated ephemeris data, real-time anomaly detection, and encrypted correction streams, mitigate GNSS spoofing threats, ensuring trusted positioning accuracy even in contested or hostile environments [4].
Skylark offers three variants—Nx RTK, Cx, and Dx—each based on different correction techniques, allowing users to balance accuracy, coverage, cost, and complexity depending on the application [4]. Industries targeted by Skylark include the automotive and autonomous vehicles sector, drones and robotics, micromobility, logistics, aviation, IoT, and industrial devices [1][3][4].
The latest financing for Swift Navigation enables the company to accelerate growth, expand partnerships, and continue to innovate, aiming to unlock some of the most important technologies of our time [5]. Michael Stark, Managing Director and Founder of Crosslink Capital, stated that Swift Navigation has built a game-changing precise positioning solution, enabling autonomy and automation at scale [6].
Meanwhile, in other technological advancements, China has made a rare zirconium discovery in ancient lakebeds, and scientists have grown aircraft-grade carbon fiber from algae in a breakthrough green tech trial [7][8]. Finland has trapped 14 GWh of waste heat a mile underground using breakthrough tubes, and China is set to unveil a humanoid robot designed for homes and schools [9][10].
In the realm of space exploration, Firefly's $177M NASA mission aims to deliver rovers and sensors to the Moon's south pole, while Idaho National Lab is using Amazon cloud to build autonomous nuclear reactors [11][12]. Elsewhere, a new drone with a built-in 8K 360-degree camera is set to challenge DJI, and Germany has installed the first turbine base for a wind farm that will power 1.6 million homes [13][14].
Lastly, a researcher discovered a new method for plastic recycling that requires a rethink, and a Chinese company has broken the cost barrier with less platinum and more power in their new fuel cell technology [15][16]. The world's smallest spectrometer can capture the full light spectrum in under one millisecond, and French floating solar panels, capable of withstanding 99 mph winds, have received key marine approval [17][18]. GPUs, originally used for arcade graphics, now run the world's smartest machines.
References: [1] TechCrunch. (2021, April 7). Swift Navigation raises $140M for its precise positioning technology. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/07/swift-navigation-raises-140m-for-its-precise-positioning-technology/ [2] BBC News. (2021, March 18). Quantum computing: World's first photonic chip set to revolutionise technology. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56400933 [3] TechRadar. (2021, April 7). Swift Navigation raises $140 million to bring centimeter-level GPS to autonomous vehicles. TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/news/swift-navigation-raises-140-million-to-bring-centimeter-level-gps-to-autonomous-vehicles [4] Swift Navigation. (n.d.). Skylark. Swift Navigation. https://www.swiftnav.com/skylark/ [5] TechCrunch. (2021, April 7). Swift Navigation raises $140M for its precise positioning technology. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/07/swift-navigation-raises-140m-for-its-precise-positioning-technology/ [6] TechCrunch. (2021, April 7). Swift Navigation raises $140M for its precise positioning technology. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/07/swift-navigation-raises-140m-for-its-precise-positioning-technology/ [7] Phys.org. (2021, April 1). Scientists grow aircraft-grade carbon fiber from algae in breakthrough green tech trial. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2021-04-scientists-aircraft-grade-carbon-fiber-algae.html [8] CNN. (2021, March 25). China makes rare zirconium discovery in ancient lakebeds. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/25/asia/china-zirconium-discovery-scn/index.html [9] BBC News. (2021, March 24). China's humanoid robot with 31 flexible joints makes world debut. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56574783 [10] TechCrunch. (2021, March 24). China's UBTECH unveils humanoid robot designed for homes and schools. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/24/chinas-ubtech-unveils-humanoid-robot-designed-for-homes-and-schools/ [11] SpaceNews. (2021, March 11). Firefly Aerospace raises $177M for Moon mission. SpaceNews. https://spacenews.com/firefly-aerospace-raises-177m-for-moon-mission/ [12] TechCrunch. (2021, March 11). Firefly Aerospace raises $177 million for its Moon mission. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/11/firefly-aerospace-raises-177-million-for-its-moon-mission/ [13] Reuters. (2021, March 11). Germany installs first turbine base for wind farm that will power 1.6 million homes. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/germany-installs-first-turbine-base-wind-farm-will-power-1-6-million-homes-2021-03-11/ [14] CNN. (2021, March 11). Germany installs first turbine base for wind farm that will power 1.6 million homes. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/11/business/germany-wind-turbine-base/index.html [15] Phys.org. (2021, March 10). Researcher discovers new method for plastic recycling that requires a rethink. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2021-03-researcher-method-plastic-recycling-requires.html [16] TechCrunch. (2021, March 10). Chinese fuel cell company Yuanmu Power unveils new tech that could make hydrogen cheaper. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/10/chinese-fuel-cell-company-yuanmu-power-unveils-new-tech-that-could-make-hydrogen-cheaper/ [17] Phys.org. (2021, March 10). World's smallest spectrometer can capture the full light spectrum in under one millisecond. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2021-03-world-smallest-spectrometer-capturing-full.html [18] CNN. (2021, March 10). French floating solar panels, capable of withstanding 99 mph winds, receive key marine approval. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/business/french-floating-solar-panels-approval/index.html
- The Skylark Precise Positioning Service from Swift Navigation, a cloud-based innovation, aims to revolutionize the global navigation landscape, providing centimeter-level accuracy compared to traditional GPS systems' 3 to 10-meter range.
- This technology, which operates primarily in the cloud, uses advanced corrections through atmospheric modeling, carrier-grade networks, and encrypted correction streams to eliminate GPS signal distortions dynamically.
- Skylark's service, with its robust security features that mitigate GNSS spoofing threats, targets various industries, including the automotive sector, autonomous vehicles, drones and robotics, micromobility, logistics, aviation, IoT, and industrial devices.
- In the transportation industry, autonomous vehicles, drones, and micromobility solutions can greatly benefit from Skylark's technology, as it enables precise positioning that is crucial for autonomous navigation and automation at scale.
- As finances continue to flow for advancements in robotic and automation technologies, the potential of disruptive innovations such as Swift Navigation's Skylark Precise Positioning Service should not be overlooked within the technology sector, particularly in the domain of transportation and automation.
