New quantum-based navigation system 50 times more accurate than traditional GPS

A research team from Q-CTRL, a quantum infrastructure software company based in Sydney, Australia, has unveiled a breakthrough in navigation technology with the successful demonstration of its new quantum navigation system, Ironstone Opal.

In a recently published paper on the arXiv preprint server, the team outlines the inner workings of the system and details how it performed in comparison to existing GPS backup solutions.

As modern society—both civilian and military—becomes increasingly dependent on GPS for navigation, concerns have grown about the system’s vulnerability. Disruptions can result in everything from grounded vehicles to compromised military operations. In response, researchers worldwide have been racing to develop more resilient alternatives or backups to GPS.

Q-CTRL’s new solution offers a compelling answer. According to the team, Ironstone Opal is capable of delivering navigation accuracy up to 50 times greater than the best current backup systems under certain conditions. This advancement marks a significant step forward in ensuring reliable navigation in environments where GPS may be degraded or unavailable.