Beyond you head, constellation of satellite is working continuously to provide positioning, navigation and timing systems quietly operates modern life. Known as the global navigation satellite system or GNSS, signals from these satellites provide the foundation for mobile networks, energy grids, the internet and GPS. And increasingly, their credibility is being threatened.
Possible GPS signal stuck—intentionally drowning out other powerful radio signals—and spoofing, in which false signals are emitted to fool navigation systems. GPS interference has been documented in Ukrainefemale Middle Eastand East Sea.
But startup SandboxAQ believes that artificial intelligence, when combined with navigation systems that read the Earth's magnetic field, known as MagNav, can mitigate these threats to GNSS. “Our technology does not replace (GNSS), but can enrich existing positioning systems to improve safety and serve as a source of control,” said Luca Ferrara, general manager of the company. Alternate main direction in case GPS stops working. SandboxAQ's navigation unit.
SandboxAQ's navigation technology, called AQNav, uses quantum magnetometers—devices that can detect changes in magnetic fields very precisely by measuring subatomic particles—to produce data about the Earth's magnetic field. “We are looking for unique signatures of magnetized rock formations in the Earth's crust,” Ferrara said.
Artificial intelligence was then used to determine the exact location of the aircraft, through comparison with known magnetic field maps. AI also eliminates any external interference generated by the aircraft, such as from sudden movements or signals from its electrical system; Each aircraft has unique characteristics when it comes to causing magnetic interference.
So far, the US Air Force, Boeing and Airbus have All test flights have been performed use the system. “Since May 2023, we have deployed and tested multiple iterations of our hardware and software,” Ferrara explains. “AQNav has flown hundreds of kilometers in a variety of aircraft, from single-engine aircraft to large military transport aircraft. It has been tested in real flight scenarios, including two major US Air Force military exercises.”
SandboxAQ's team—and inspiration for the idea—originated at Google's parent company, Alphabet, between 2016 and 2022. The initial idea was to find applications for artificial intelligence and quantum technology Developed in Google's moonshot factory.