Q-CTRL Unveils Jam-Proof Positioning System That's 50x More Accurate Than GPS (interestingengineering.com)
- Reference: 0177056979
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/04/17/234258/q-ctrl-unveils-jam-proof-positioning-system-thats-50x-more-accurate-than-gps
- Source link: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/australia-firm-gps-less-navigation-system
> Australia's Q-CTRL [2]developed a new system called "Ironstone Opal," which [3]uses quantum sensors to navigate without GPS . It's passive (meaning it doesn't emit signals that could be detected or jammed) and highly accurate. Instead of relying on satellites, Q-CTRL's system can read the Earth's magnetic field, which varies slightly depending on location (like a magnetic fingerprint or map). The system can determine where you are by measuring these variations using magnetometers. This is made possible using the company's proprietary quantum sensors, which are incredibly sensitive and stable. The system also comes with special AI-based software, which filters out interference like vibrations or electromagnetic noise (what they call "software ruggedization"). The system is small and compact and could, in theory, be installed in drones or cars and, of course, aircraft.
>
> Q-CTRL ran some live tests on the ground and in the air to validate the technology. As anticipated, they found that it could operate completely independently of GPS. Moreover, the company reports that its quantum GPS was 50 times more accurate than traditional GPS backup systems (like Inertial Navigation Systems or INS). The systems also delivered navigation precision on par with hitting a bullseye from 1,000 yards. Even when the equipment was mounted inside a plane, where interference is much worse, it outperformed existing systems by at least 11x. This is the first time quantum technology has been shown to outperform existing tech in a real-world commercial or military application, a milestone referred to as achieving "quantum advantage."
[1] https://slashdot.org/~schwit1
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7tBhu8u0C8
[3] https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/australia-firm-gps-less-navigation-system?group=test_a
More accurate than INS not GPS! (Score:4, Informative)
It is not more accurate than GPS. It is more accurate than " traditional GPS backup systems (like Inertial Navigation Systems or INS)" as per f'in summary on slashdot. INS basically means take accelerometers and integrate in time twice.
So, no, I'm not going out of bed for this.
Quantum Advantage (Score:2)
This is the first time quantum technology has been shown to outperform existing tech in a real-world commercial or military application, a milestone referred to as achieving "quantum advantage."
Then I guess them GPS satellites must be using pendulums for time keeping. Hell the military must be still using valves, as semiconductors must be sci-fi.
What a load of BS.
Re: Quantum Advantage (Score:2)
Vacuum tubes use quantum effects too, hence our computers use mechanical gears and cranks, and some electromagnetic relays, like an IBM accounting machine from the 1930s.
Also, our radios use the original Marconi tech, because even the crystal detectors of the 1920s use quantum effects. You need headphones to listen. And of course, no TV.
The potential is huge (Score:2)
for inclusion of this tech into cellphones and vastly enhanced surveillance and privacy invasion.
SPS - Schrödingers Positioning System (Score:2)
This technology is great! Or it is crap! Until we get to try it out, it is both. Though I'd say the mislabelled heading plus all the buzz words imply at least a partial wave function collapse skewing the probability greatly towards the latter.
Luckily (Score:1)
No one can just create a magnetic field
Experts (Score:4, Interesting)
Looks like all the armchair experts have arrived who have read all the papers and experimented with this tech to have an objective opinion on it..... /s
Quantum advantage? (Score:2)
Ok, it sounded legit until the BS about quantum advantage. Like really? Wtf.
Kinda confused (Score:1)
Earth's magnetic field isn't static it is constantly changing. What happens when the static 'magnetic fingerprint' hard coded into the device no longer matches the location it is supposed to represent? To be un-jammable, it has to operate entirely off grid so cannot 'update' itself.
So What Is 50x Accuracy Of Accurate? (Score:1)
My GPS is already spot on even in bumfuck egypt where i reside.
This some fluffy bullshit I do believe.
relies on careful mapping of magnetic field (Score:2)
How easy would it be to actively distort a localised area of the planet's magnetic field?
Doing such will likely mess with a lot of animal and insect sense of direction.
Please fix the misleading title of this article! (Score:2)
The title is misleading: "50 times more accurate than traditional GPS backup systems" is NOT the same as 50 times more accurate than GPS.
Sick dogs dreams (Score:2)
Variation changes, there is no map even 10 times worse than GPs, not 50 times better. There is magnetic noise everywhere. This proprietary blah blah is also laughable. They have serendipidously invented a device, made applied science before theoretically anyone has proven it possible. And for a good measure put AI in as well. Lacking just cryptochain powered antigravity fudge. Swindlers just trying to fish on gullible people with money.
Whow, what a load of buzzwords. (Score:3, Insightful)
Incredibly, stable and sensitive, quantum sensors, AI-based, removal of interference, blablabla.
So where can I buy this shit?
Ah, it isn't available, because it only works on the premises of the company.
I see, bring the next one.
Re: Whow, what a load of buzzwords. (Score:3)
Also a skeptic. How does it filter out other magnetic fields, the ones caused by I. e. a motor, a doormagnet,... How do they differentiate there. The word Ai does not bring confidence there. I'd expect something more fundamental. Frequency filtering?
Re: (Score:3)
More importantly, where does it get the high-fidelity magnetic field maps that nobody ever made? How does it deal with the movements in Earth's magnetic fields, which are huge and happen all the time?
Maybe it can work on the premises of a robotic factory, though, which would be a nice niche.
Re: (Score:2)
It uses mutated neutrinos. But first you have to reverse the polarity and switch to B.
Re: (Score:2)
And if you measure the field strength only in a single point, you'll find an infinite number of other points on the earth that have the same field strength (unless it was the maximum or minimum, see the mean value theorem). The device must be huge to measure an area in enough points to have something that is unique enough to be found in the map.
Re: Whow, what a load of buzzwords. (Score:2)
You could do it â" but I imagine it would require real-time sensing of the Earth magnetic field in various locations and communication back to the device, since it does change all the time.
This may be real, though â" birds manage to navigate this way as far as I know.
Re: Whow, what a load of buzzwords. (Score:2)
Completely agree!
AI is thrown about with disconcerting frequency to mean things like âstatistical analysisâ(TM) or âdenoisingâ(TM) which are completely ordinary and well proven concepts in data analysis.
Re: (Score:2)
The first thing I thought when I read filtering by AI: "Aha! So that's where the exploit is.".
Re: (Score:1)
All I needed to hear was AI and I immediately sent them my entire savings. Now I'm looking around to see what I can sell. Maybe friends and family can loan me some money.