INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

Navigation

For robust navigation in the harshest environments, a system must be able to answer the fundamental question: 'Where am I?'

Through best in class performance, our sensors can be used to provide centimetre-level accuracy.

Radar for Navigation

Centimetre-level positioning in challenging environments

Traditional sensor systems used for mobile autonomy can face limitations and periods of failure during poor visibility caused by environmental factors such as light, weather and dust. Predominantly relying on vision, lidar, GPS and perception sensors, this downtime can have a negative impact not only on efficiency but also on safety.

Unlike traditional sensors, radar is resilient to changes in the environment, continuing to operate reliably in all weather and light conditions including dust, dirt, fog, rain and even underground. Moreover, it offers exceptional performance at both short and long ranges, while continuously advancing in compactness and affordability.

Radar-only positioning can provide centimetre-level accuracy, and robust performance across challenging environments and conditions. Radar’s efficient and information-rich data enables simultaneous observation of multiple objects, along with precise detection of their locations and cross-section characteristics. This versatility renders radar particularly suitable for tasks such as odometry and localisation, where stable, long-range features are crucial. As a result, our radar solutions excel in providing navigation solutions that thrive in even the most adverse conditions.

Radar for Navigation Example use cases

Beacon-based positioning: Radar navigation can leverage a network of passive radar beacons strategically positioned across a site.

Target-free position reference systems (dynamic positioning): Enabling precise positioning for a dynamic positioning system without requiring specific targets.

GPS-denied navigation in underground mining: As radar can work in heavy dust, radar can be used to provide centimetre positioning relative to a radar map of the area.

GPS-limited navigation in forestry: Radar navigation can be used to complement a GNSS-RTK-corrected system filling in when GPS is degraded, for example under a canopy.

Radar/GPS/IMU fusion for robust marine navigation (near shore, inshore ferries & dedging): Radar can be fused with INS + GPS systems to limit drift in the system when the GPS is not available. Radar’s range and robustness make it ideal in marine systems.

Radar-based odometry, localisation, SLAM research: The RAS family of sensors are used by robotics researchers around the world with multiple universities working with the radar and over 300 papers written using our sensors.

Autodocking for marine: Robust positioning of larger vessels in congested waters ways to feed into a control system, where robustness and precise positioning is vital.

Best in class resolution

Unparalleled resolution with a narrow pencil beam, ensuring accurate positioning in any condition.

Long-range, all condition sensing

Our radar sensors provide long-range detection capabilities, up to 1km, unaffected by adverse weather and environmental conditions. Through rain, fog, dust, snow, steam, our sensors maintain consistent performance.

360° field of view and fast updates

With a 360° field of view, and up to a 10Hz update rate, our RAS family of sensors provide wide area coverage from a single sensor, minimising blind spots and complicated image stitching.

Academic ecosystem of global researchers

Join a thriving academic ecosystem of researchers and benefit from a wealth of knowledge and expertise in radar-based odometry, localisation, SLAM.

Markets

Mining

Robust mining sensors designed for extreme conditions and mission-critical applications. Ensuring continuous operation, minimising downtime, and improving miner safety for autonomous mining processes.

Marine

Navtech Radar's millimetre wave FMCW radar is a superior solution for short-range small target detection in the marine industry, filling a gap in marine automation that traditional X-band radar cannot.

Robotics

Enabling radar technology for industrial autonomous vehicles, to ensure seamless operation both on- and off-road, and in marine environments, regardless of weather or environmental conditions.

Port Automation

Navtech's industrial-grade sensors provide reliable anti-collision detection in all weather and light conditions.

Logistics

Navtech supports logistics operators to navigate complex environments with confidence, minimising the risk of collisions and disruptions.

Rail

Navtech Radar provides high-resolution, 360° long-range sensors for reliable object detection, enhancing safety and minimising schedule disruptions in rail environments.

Explore our projects and innovations

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Autonomous navigation in low visibility

Örebro University tested sensor technologies for autonomous machinery, to improve navigation in harsh environments like mines, navigating smoke and dust, where Lidar and cameras fail.

Radar Localisation for Vessels in GNSS-Limited Environments

Assisting ship navigation with an accurate and robust solution: radar-based localisation, as an alternative to GNSS systems, can overcome the shortcomings of GNSS and other sensor solutions

Reliable positioning of automated straddle carriers.

Navtech Radar's 360° radar sensors for robust navigation of automated straddle carriers; enhancing efficiency, increasing productivity and consistency, for this global port.

Automated Vehicles in Smart Container Ports

Radar localisation enabling automated guided vehicles to efficiently manage autonomous container handling in the port industry.

Reliable automation in adverse conditions

ORI, collaborates with Navtech Radar on pioneering research to prove the capability of radar as an autonomous vehicle sensor in all-weathers and environments.

Radar Sensor for Agricultural Automation

Cost-effective, single-sensor solution for agricultural automation to increase the efficiency and safety of operations which operates in all weather and light conditions.

Sensors

The Robust Automation Sensor (RAS) family of radars provide a live view of their surroundings, presenting solid or reflective objects distinctly from their surroundings. The high-resolution radars produce their output either through streamed “radar video” or as a network source of range and bearing point data, allowing them to be easily integrated with your system.

Explore the RAS sensors

Ask us a question

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Get in touch

Head Office
Navtech Radar, Home Farm, Ardington, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8PD, UK.

hello@navtechradar.com
+44 (0)1235 832 419

Safety is everything.

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