Spinoff story

Autonomous Drone Navigation System Ends Reliance on GPS

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

When regulations are issued to allow self-piloted drones to fly beyond operators’ line of sight, one requirement will be that they be able to navigate without GPS. SBIR contracts from Ames Research Center funded one company’s development of a simultaneous localization and mapping system that can do just that. Pittsburgh-based Near Earth Autonomy has sold prototypes of the technology and is working with companies and agencies to adapt it for disaster site surveillance, building and infrastructure inspection, and military reconnaissance.