Introduction
Following our article on quantum gravity navigation last summer, it is appropriate to discuss Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS).
These are quite wonderful devices that use microscopic inertial sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetic field sensors to provide orientation, heading and velocity data, particularly valuable in applications requiring continuous navigation in the event of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) outage.
They are commonplace and found in smartphones, car safety systems, drones, and even as a navigation aid in planes and ships. They are not positioning systems. If you knew where you were at some point, they use heading and speed to tell you where you should be.
In nautical terms, this is called dead reckoning because it discounts external forces that might displace a vessel such as wind, wave, or current. This is not much of a problem for land-based activities and is probably of small consequence when churning across major oceans but when slithering through a maritime choke point such as the Straits of Hormuz, the Singapore Straits or the Strait of Malacca, the Baltic Sea and the East Mediterranean then precise positioning is vital.
This map was issued by UKMTO showing recent GNSS Interference (Oct 3-7, 2025) around the Arabian Peninsula
Discussion
For short GNSS outages and in unrestricted waters, MEMS-based navigation system aids are very useful. There are some shortfalls in their use that can affect reliability and performance.
Temperature changes affect the material properties of the MEMS structure, but given that most bridges on large ships are temperature-controlled to a certain degree, this should not be too much of a problem. However, material property changes can lead to loss of accuracy in resonant sensors in particular. Because these sensors are used in very busy electronic systems, there is a lot of generated electrical and radiation noise which can be compensated for to some degree, although not eliminated.
Interference and stiction, the adhesion of surfaces in contact, are a reliability issue in MEMS gyroscopes, particularly affecting their performance and lifespan. It arises from surface forces like van der Waals forces, capillary forces, and electrostatic forces, which can cause movable parts to stick to their substrates or other components, hindering their intended movement. Vibration from engines and propellers and from waves and wind are a permanent factor and quite variable in a ship’s environment so compensation for such variation is always incomplete.
MEMS magnetic field sensors have a limited detection range (as do most magnetic field sensors) and are easily influenced by the field strength and by sensor sensitivity, normally very high, being able to detect quite weak magnetic fields. However, this means the sensor is liable to suffer interference from adjacent equipment exhibiting magnetic fields. This limited ability to determine the direction of the field, hinders their use in navigation as it requires directional information. Another issue is non-linearity, which can be compensated for with algorithms to a certain extent, as can drift which can be dealt with by calibration. Calibration is essential for accurate measurements, but it is generally time-consuming and expensive, particularly for the type of precision required for navigation.
Summary
Integrating MEMS INS with GNSS significantly enhances navigation accuracy and reliability, as MEMS INS can provide continuous positioning and orientation during GNSS outages, while GNSS offers precise external positioning. MEMS sensors provide relative positioning but lack an absolute reference point (like “north” or a fixed starting point), which limits their use in dead reckoning. Generally, these systems are used in weight-sensitive applications such as in military equipment such as guided missiles and drones, robotics, as well as in consumer electronics like smartphones. While basic MEMS IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units) can range from $20 to $1,000, higher-precision systems, some can reach up to $10,000 per unit. Advanced MEMS INS, combined with GNSS, deliver high-accuracy position, velocity, and orientation data crucial for demanding environments.
For maritime navigation and dynamic positioning, as well as surface and subsurface autonomous boats and torpedoes MEMS INS are used to enhance GNSS.
Leading Companies
In the UK, every supermarket is the best supermarket. All the following companies are global leaders in GNSS INS Solutions. They are all suppliers of exceedingly fine products. That’s a bit tongue in the cheek in this, but as the advances in technology that devices and systems represent, the technology developments are truly mind-blowing.
Advanced Navigation
Advanced Navigation, a company based in Sydney, Australia, was started in 2012. It now has research and production facilities and offices in New South Wales, Western Australia, the Capital Territories and in San Diego USA and London UK. They export worldwide companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Anduril, Fortescue and NASA. They claim 100,000 solutions in operation for 2,800 clients in over 70 countries.
A major product is the Certus Mini N (Navigation, single antenna) which combines temperature-calibrated accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensor and magnetometers with an advanced single antenna GNSS receiver. Coupled in an AI-based fusion algorithm it aims to deliver accurate and reliable navigation data.
Honeywell International Inc.
From its origins in 1885 when it started making furnace regulators, it has grown into a major diversified technology company which has an aerospace technology division offering MEMS INS.
Honeywell’s navigation portfolio for aerospace and marine applications includes LASEREF and TALIN subsystems as well as subcomponents such as ring laser gyros, accelerometers, and navigation-grade inertial measurement units.
Safran
Safran S.A. is a French multinational aerospace, defence and security corporation headquartered in Paris founded in 2005 through a merger between the aerospace engine manufacturer SNECMA and the electronics specialist SAGEM. Safran – Navigation & Timing is a portfolio of solutions and components from Safran Electronics and Defense subsidiaries, including time servers, GNSS simulators, atomic clocks, gyroscopes, and inertial navigation systems.
OXTS
Based in Oxfordshire, UK, Oxford Technical Solutions Ltd, was founded in 1998. It produces inertial navigation systems on a bespoke basis. With nearly three decades of experience in combining the best of high-precision GNSS receivers and world-class inertial navigation expertise, OXTS’ products have become the industry standard for automotive testing. As yet, it does not appear to have any maritime specific products.
Trimble Applanix
Based in Ontario Canada and founded on defense and aerospace industry expertise, Applanix has been a part of Trimble since 2003. Applanix Position and Orientation Systems (POS™) have become the world’s industry-standard for airborne, land, marine and indoor mobile survey operations. With global reach, unequaled engineering excellence and worldwide 24/7 customer support, no one leads the world in high-productivity in-motion surveying, direct data georeferencing and robust mobile mapping like Trimble Applanix.
Today, Trimble Applanix POS technology leads the way in powering revolutionary autonomous vehicle technology and mobile mapping in GNSS-denied spaces. The Applanix POS MV delivers precise position, heading, attitude, heave and velocity data for marine vessel and remote sensing equipment. By combining GNSS data with IMU-derived angular rate and acceleration, along with GNSS Azimuth Measurement System (GAMS) heading, it offers an accurate six degrees of freedom positioning and orientation solution.
Silicon Sensing
Headquartered in Plymouth, UK and Amagasaki, Japan, Silicon Sensing was founded in 1999 and is jointly owned by Collins Aerospace and Sumitomo Precision Products. Collins Aerospace can trace its heritage in gyroscopes and inertial sensors back to the Sperry Gyroscope Company, founded in 1913, giving this half of the venture a great depth of expertise in inertial systems and their deployment in real-world applications. Sumitomo Precision Products, based in Amagasaki, Japan, brings unique expertise in silicon MEMS fabrication.
Exail
Located on the outskirts of Paris, formed in 2022 by the combination of the ECA Group and iXblue, provide extremely robust navigation information in environments that experience long-term Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) outages. Exail’s products offer a complete range of Fibre-Optic Gyroscope (FOG)-based Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) dedicated to maritime surface applications. They do not yet offer quantum sensor navigation aids.
Silicon Microgravity Limited (SMG)
This is a technology offshoot company from Cambridge University’s Nanoscience Department after 10 years of R&D. The company continues this R&D work internally. It is a technology company focused on the inertial navigation and gravity markets. It primarily manufactures components (sensors) for incorporation into INS. The produce resonant MEMS (silicon microelectromechanical systems) technology. SMG’s team of scientists and engineers are based in their Technology Centre in Waterbeach, just north of Cambridge, England. SMG focuses on two markets. The first is inertial navigation where their MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes provide higher accuracy, smaller form factor and lower cost compared to existing sensors. The second is gravity sensing where their MEMS gravimeters offer robust, compact solutions for gravity surveys and alternative navigation. They do not yet offer quantum-based navigation aids.
ERICCO INERTIAL TECHNOLOGY
ERICCO founded in 2006 is a high-tech enterprise specializing in inertial technology research and related sensors, modules and systems development and production. After 19 years of continuous development the main products include dual-axis/tri-axis MEMS gyroscope, MEMS/FOG inertial measurement unit, MEMS/FOG integrated navigation system, MEMS/FOG north seeker, etc. Mainly used for orientation, attitude measurement, positioning, navigation, widely used in aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics, oil, natural gas, mining and other industries, some of the accuracy of the products reach the international advanced level.
Psionic LLC
Founded in 2016 by NASA scientists Steve Sandford and Diego Pierrottet and based in Hampton, Virginia, USA, the company concentrates mainly on extended navigation INS performance without GPS in space, aviation, land, and defence applications. They do not yet advertise maritime applications.
Seadronix
This is a South Korean company based in Ulsan, South Korea. It was founded in 2015 by Hanguen Kim, Donghoon Kim and Jae Uk Shin. Seadronix develops advanced situational awareness AI technologies for the maritime industry. In April 2024, Seadronix introduced Rec-SEA Plugin, an AI software that upgrades conventional ships to smart ships by leveraging existing onboard sensors such as LiDAR and RADAR. The plugin includes five modules, which facilitate the creation of 3D maritime maps, optimising navigation routes, detecting maritime objects and personnel, and allowing real-time tracking of multiple objects around the vessel. It does not yet produce MEMS hardware for shipboard navigation.
Maritime Robotics
Maritime Robotics is a Norwegian company established in 2005 and based in Trondheim, Norway.
that specialises in autonomous maritime systems, particularly uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and the software that enables them to operate independently at sea. Their core offering is the Autonomous Navigation System (ANS), which integrates advanced sensors, data processing, and control systems to allow vessels to navigate safely and efficiently both in coastal waters and the open ocean without human crews. These systems support a wide range of maritime tasks, including marine mapping and surveying, oceanographic data collection, environmental monitoring and protection, and surveillance and inspection operations. Their range of USVs—such as the Otter, Mariner, and Mariner X platforms—are designed for diverse maritime environments, from sheltered waters to harsher offshore conditions, and can be customised with various payloads to meet specific operational requirements.
Water Linked
Founded in 2013 by Torgeir Trøite in Trondheim, Norway, specialises in and develops advanced underwater sensor technologies to enable reliable navigation, positioning and communication for subsea vehicles and systems. Their products are widely used to enhance the autonomy of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other marine robotics platforms by solving key challenges in underwater navigation where GNSS signals are unavailable. Their technology suite includes Doppler Velocity Logs (DVLs) for precise relative positioning, Underwater GPS systems for absolute location fixes in challenging environments, high-resolution 3D sonar imaging systems, and acoustic modems for robust underwater communication. This enables real-time situational awareness, accurate navigation close to the seabed or structures, and reliable data transfer—all critical for subsea surveys, inspections, environmental monitoring and research missions
Conclusion
In conclusion, MEMS-based inertial navigation systems have moved from laboratory curiosities to indispensable enablers of modern navigation, particularly where GNSS cannot be relied upon. Their ability to bridge short-term outages, maintain continuity of heading and velocity, and integrate seamlessly with external aids makes them invaluable in congested and contested maritime environments such as the world’s strategic choke points. Yet the limitations described: drift, susceptibility to temperature, vibration, magnetic interference and the ever-present need for calibration, remind us that MEMS INS are not a panacea. They remain fundamentally relative systems, superb at telling you how you are moving, but far less certain about where you truly are without an external reference.
The direction of travel is therefore clear: the future lies in intelligent sensor fusion, combining MEMS with GNSS, Doppler velocity logs, radar, lidar, vision systems and, in time, quantum or gravity-based references. As the companies surveyed demonstrate, this is no longer an emerging niche but a highly competitive global industry driving rapid advances in autonomy, resilience and accuracy. For mariners facing increasing GNSS interference and for designers of autonomous surface and subsurface craft, MEMS INS are already a cornerstone technology, not replacing satellite navigation, but ensuring that when it fails, ships and systems are not left blind.
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