DARPA Develops Non-GPS Navigation Chip

Posted by Soulskill on Friday April 12, 2013 @05:43AM from the because-life-just-isn't-worth-living-otherwise dept.

Zothecula writes "The Global Positioning System (GPS) has proved a boon for those with a bad sense of direction, but the satellite-based system isn't without its shortcomings. Something as simple as going indoors or entering a tunnel can render the system useless. That might be inconvenient for civilians, but it's potentially disastrous to military users, for whom the system was originally built. DARPA is addressing such concerns with the development of a self-sufficient navigation system that can aid navigation when GPS is temporarily unavailable."

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Re:Don't they already have this? by OhSoLaMeow · 2013-04-12 06:31 · Score: 5, Interesting

Missiles have had inertial navigation systems for some time now. Where's the advance that brings this technology to regular consumers?
DC8 jets had inertial navigation systems back in the '60s. You could fly from LAX to Tokyo without touching the controls and the plane would only be a few hundred yards off alignment from the runway. Not bad for a 5000+ mile flight.

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They can take my LifeAlert pendant when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.