Kongsberg Discovery and Silicon Sensing Systems announced the next generation of navigation systems: an inertial system so precise it rivals military-grade tech, yet small enough that it fits in the palm of your hand.
Inertial navigation systems (INS)—used in submarines, aircraft, and autonomous robots—use accelerometers and gyroscopes to track orientation and position. Unlike GPS, INS do not rely on external signals, making them valuable in today’s technological scene. Earlier this month, Norwegian defense giant Kongsberg revealed its breakthrough proprietary Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) to help develop INS.
On Monday, June 2nd, Kongsberg Discovery and Silicon Sensing Systems signed an agreement to co-develop the next generation of gyroscope technology, which could revolutionize high-performance advanced systems.
The companies have made their goal clear: combine Silicon Sensing’s Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) expertise with Kongsberg’s high-performance Inertial Navigation Systems to achieve “navigation-grade” accuracy in MEMS form factors.
Silicon Sensing Systems, a joint venture between Collins Aerospace and Sumitomo Precision Products, spearheads developments of MEMS-based inertial technology. Over the past two decades, they’ve established themselves as one of the world’s leaders of high-precision gyroscope manufacturing. Kongsberg Discovery, a subsidiary of Kongsberg Gruppen, has also long specialized in subsea, naval, and aerospace systems with a focus on inertial navigation technology using FOGs. This collaboration represents a new age of inertial systems engineering.
Here, “navigation-grade” translates to significantly higher precision and stability compared to current tactical-grade products. With this “navigation-grade” performance targeting many different markets—robotics, aerospace, maritime, and astronautics—the companies intend to compress development into a single year of internal collaboration to fast-track this transformational technological leap.
Latest developments introduce gyroscopes that are enhanced for guided munitions, naval systems, and satellites. This company partnership will focus on ruggedized products that are resistant to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures—emphasizing the defense-focused mindset of the two companies.
Upcoming gyroscope products are closing the gap with FOGs in accuracy, while already beating them in size, power, and exportability. This development could be the ideal INS for next-gen autonomous and portable systems with the potential to shake the defense industry.
This new partnership merges the best of the inertial systems market: Silicon Sensing’s compact and cost-effective MEMS technology with Kongsberg’s precise and ruggedized navigation systems. The result? A new class of gyroscopes that could dramatically change multiple industries. For robotics, this means more accurate inertial navigation in smaller, mobile robots, meaning they no longer have to rely on GPS. In the maritime industry, this means deep-sea missions that no longer need satellite updates. For aeronautics, this means stability and maintenance during launch or space travel when communication with ground control is limited.
By targeting “navigation-grade” performance in a small package, Kongsberg and Silicon Sensing aim to eliminate all barriers to high-precision inertial sensors—making this technology not only viable for national defense and space agencies but also for commercial innovators pushing the boundaries of autonomy and precision.