Researchers develop tiny optical gyroscope to help self-driving cars navigate without GPS signal

Currently, the global demand for positioning and navigation of small mobile devices is growing, while the market segment of expensive gyroscopes used in large vehicles (ships, aircraft, etc.) has been occupied. As the size of controlled devices decreases, more compact inertial navigation and orientation systems are needed. Under such conditions, the development of relatively cheap and small gyroscopes for a wide range of applications has become one of the top priorities in this field.

(Photo credit: Saint-Petersburg State University of Electronic Technology)

According to foreign media reports, a research team led by Vladimir Venediktov, Chief Scientific Assistant at the Faculty of Laser Measurement and Navigation Systems of Saint-Petersburg State University of Electronic Technology (ETU "LETI"), is working on the world's first micro-optical gyroscope based on a circular confocal resonator.

The approach leverages research on micro-optical resonant gyroscopes based on an angular velocity measurement method, aiming to create a tiny, cheap, highly accurate gyroscope that could help drones and self-driving cars stay on track in the absence of GPS signals.

Vladimir Venediktov said, "The current trend in transport and logistics systems is to reduce inventory space, increase the speed and dynamics of goods flow, automate vehicles, and reduce their size. In addition, there are many tasks associated with mobile equipment with ultra-high acceleration and vibration. In emergency situations, it is crucial to ensure stable control of the vehicle."

High-performance gyroscopes will be used in backup navigation systems for self-driving cars. For a long time, navigation systems for self-driving cars have been a bottleneck in navigation systems. The device developed by ETU "LETI" will help solve this challenge, enabling high-precision and low-cost inertial navigation systems to be used in most self-driving vehicles. Such backup navigation devices can also be used in areas where GPS signals are blocked, such as inside buildings, to help speed up the work of warehouse robots.

In 2020, the project of ETU "LETI" researchers received support from the Russian Science Foundation. By 2022, the researchers will develop, manufacture and test a prototype of the gyroscope.