Relative Visual-Inertial Odometry for Small Unmanned Aircraft in GPS-Denied Environments Skip to main content

Relative Visual-Inertial Odometry for Small Unmanned Aircraft in GPS-Denied Environments ID: 2019-018

An innovative odometry method enabling precise motion tracking of small unmanned aircraft in areas without GPS.

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Technology Overview

This technology introduces a novel approach to odometry, specifically designed for small unmanned aircraft operating in GPS-denied environments. It leverages a combination of camera and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, incorporating an extended Kalman Filter to achieve tightly-coupled visual-inertial odometry. The system periodically resets to improve motion estimation accuracy and ensure global state consistency through backend computations.


Key Advantages

  • Enhanced navigation accuracy in GPS-denied environments
  • Adaptable to various aircraft types and conditions
  • Improves global state consistency with periodic estimator resets
  • Tightly-coupled visual-inertial approach for precise motion tracking

Problems Addressed

  • Limited navigation capabilities of unmanned aircraft in GPS-denied areas
  • Challenges in maintaining accurate and consistent motion estimation over time

Market Applications

  • Military navigation systems, including missile and aircraft guidance
  • Commercial and research drones operating in complex environments
  • Emergency response and search operations in GPS-impaired conditions

Additional Information

Technology ID: 2019-018
Sell Sheet: Download the Sell Sheet here
Market Analysis: Contact us for a more in-depth market report
Date Published: 28 March, 2025

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