Australian project to deliver world-leading gyroscope tech

The world’s most precise, compact and cost-effective gyroscope will soon be available, thanks to a new $8.7 million collaboration between Australian researchers and industry partners.

Once complete, the ultra-high performance (UHP) innovation will serve industries such as transport, infrastructure and space, cutting the cost of existing UHP gyroscope technologies by 85%.

For the past decade, the price of UHP gyroscopes has been prohibitive for mainstream usage with a single unit averaging US$20,000. Meanwhile, standard devices are still too bulky for easy integration into many potential applications.

The new, more accessible technology will have a multitude of uses, such as improving the navigation and safety of autonomous cars, correcting the course of satellites travelling at 11,000 km/h and enhancing the precision of drones used for remote inspection and infrastructure.

Chris Shaw, CEO of Advanced Navigation, said the project demonstrates Australia’s capability across the advanced manufacturing pipeline.

“This project will establish Australia as a leading manufacturer of high-performance, cost-effective navigation solutions,” Shaw said.

“Collaborating with some of our nation’s top researchers, we will be exploring the complete manufacturing pipeline — from basic microchip components, sophisticated signal processing, system integration and real-world application.

“It’s a landmark partnership that will deliver world-class technology and showcase the amazing opportunities for a new home-grown, high-tech manufacturing industry in Australia.”

The project has been supported through a $2.8 million Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) grant to Advanced Navigation, announced by Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews.

The CRC-P grant is enabling an $8.7 million total project investment (cash and in-kind) into delivering technology that shrinks both cost and size to enable new commercial applications that have previously never been possible.

It will be led by navigation system manufacturer Advanced Navigation, with research partners RMIT University, The Australian National University (ANU) and commercial partner Corridor Insights.

Image courtesy Advanced Navigation.