According to foreign media reports, the Silicon Valley startup ANELLO Photonics is quietly revolutionizing the global navigation field through miniature inertial sensor technology. The company was co-founded by former Intel silicon photonics expert Mario Paniccia, and its core product is a disruptive device that integrates high-end gyroscope precision into a coin-sized chip. This technology aims to solve navigation challenges when Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are interrupted, jammed, or completely fail, providing new solutions for military and civilian applications.
Paniccia pointed out in an interview that most current navigation systems are highly dependent on GPS, and once the signal is obstructed, they may become paralyzed. ANELLO’s inertial sensor combines optical principles with micro-electromechanical systems to achieve high-precision positioning without external signals. According to their team, the chip is 90% smaller than traditional military-grade gyroscopes, yet its precision is improved by tenfold, making it particularly suitable for urban canyons, underground spaces, and electromagnetic interference environments. Tests have shown that devices equipped with this sensor can maintain precise navigation for hours in the absence of GPS signals, significantly enhancing the reliability of drones, autonomous vehicles, and individual soldier equipment in complex scenarios.
Industry analysts believe that ANELLO’s technological breakthrough marks a key step towards miniaturization and cost reduction in the field of inertial navigation. Although the company has not disclosed specific customers, its products have attracted attention from military forces in multiple countries. Paniccia stated that with the proliferation of electromagnetic interference technology and increasing competition in space orbits, “GPS-free” navigation will become a core battleground in the technological competition of the next decade. Currently, ANELLO is in discussions with several automotive companies and defense contractors, planning to achieve mass production in the millions within the next three years.