Project description
Improving the accuracy and reliability of today’s positioning and navigation systems
Limitations in accuracy, reliability and/or affordability restrict the commercial potential of existing global navigation satellite systems and camera-based computer visual navigation systems. The EU-funded VRTK project will further develop a highly reliable and precise navigation system introduced by the Swiss-based company Fixposition. It will do so by preparing a feasibility report for commercialisation. This involves validating technological viability with a clear roadmap for reaching a fully mature technology and identifying and planning for technological risks. It also includes identifying several market segments, considering regulations and market barriers, as well as mapping supply chain and dissemination prospects. The technology should make autonomous vehicles safer and more affordable.
Objective
The emerging market of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles requires cost effective, high accuracy (i.e. centimetre to decimetre level) navigation systems, with the most important but also most challenging and safety-critical feature: high reliability (i.e. capability of achieving high accuracy under all kinds of environments). Nevertheless, Current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Camera based Computer Visual navigation systems are limited in terms of accuracy, reliability and/or affordability, which is strongly preventing a faster development of these new business sectors.
VRTK solves these needs by offering a unique method to enhance the accuracy and reliability of traditional positioning and navigation methods. We demonstrate a deep integration of computer vision and high accuracy Real Time Kinematics (RTK) GNSS position technologies which provide high reliability of cm-accuracy in all outdoor environments-big potential to be extended indoor in a next stage. It will become a real market-creating innovation unlocking the potential of several emerging markets as listed above and a game-changing technology to make autonomous vehicles safe and affordable for everyone.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringautomotive engineeringautonomous vehicles
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- social sciencessocial geographytransportnavigation systemssatellite navigation systemglobal navigation satellite system
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
8952 SCHLIEREN
Switzerland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.