A Ukrainian drone tech firm has unveiled an alternative to GPS navigation.
Sine.Engineeringbuilt the system to counter Russias electronic warfare, which has wreaked havoc on GPS signals.
To dodge the interference, Sine invented a satellite-free replacement.
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Instead, they measure the time it takes a signal to travel between a transmitter and a target.
In Sines framework, the calculations come from a communication module for drones.
Smaller than a playing card, the module shares signals with a ground station and two beacons.
It then measures how long the signals take to travel.
Crucially, the system is also relatively cheap.
By providing affordable accuracy, Sine plans to accelerate Ukraines transition to autonomous drones.
The countrys armed forces have backed the plans.
Already, they have deployed Sines module in military operations.
Testing on the FPVs began last month.
Alongside autonomous FPVs,Chulykplans to support swarm operations.
Our technology enables coordinated flights of multiple drones, allowing them to operate as cohesive units, he said.
Yet autonomy is not the sole objective.
Sines module also aims to lower entry barriers for human pilots of unmanned aircraft.
It significantly simplifies drone operation through automation and intuitive control interfaces similar to consumer droneslike Mavic,Chulyk said.
Going to market
Sine was founded in 2022 to counter Russian drone operations.
As the aerial combat evolved, the startup began exploring new navigation systems.
Due to widespread jamming and spoofing, GPS had become a critical vulnerability.
At the same time, cheap FPV drones were transforming the battlefields.
Yet their positioning systems lacked sophistication.
Sines founders decided to build an affordable upgrade.
Their invention promises to improve navigation, expand autonomy, and evade electronic warfare.
In Chulyks view, such enhancements are becoming essential.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
