Ukrainian-Estonian defence company Farsight Vision has unveiled a navigation module for ground robotic systems that helps them orient themselves in the field when there is no GPS signal. Company representatives told the outlet Militarnyi about the development.
While moving, a laser module installed on the ground robotic system scans the space around the vehicle and creates a point cloud. It allows the operator to see obstacles, pits, slopes and other terrain features, as well as to refine the position of the system itself, the developers said. The 3D terrain model is gradually supplemented with new data directly from the route, as the module scans the terrain while the ground robotic system is on the move.
The company said the system is based on the concept of a digital twin of the terrain. First, a 3D model of the required area is created on the FSV Platform, and during operation the sensor data are compared with this model. In this way, the operator receives not only a standard satellite map, but an updated three-dimensional representation of the route and the surrounding environment.
The module’s main task is to localise the ground robotic system, the company says. If the GPS signal is lost, the system uses sensor data and the pre-built 3D model to determine and refine the robot’s exact location. This should help the operator regain the system’s bearings and continue the mission even without satellite navigation.
The operator can control the ground robotic system via a ground station in the usual mode. After connecting the system to the FSV App, they additionally receive a three-dimensional view of the terrain and can cross-check the planned route against it.
“Our goal is to remove the need to launch a reconnaissance drone solely to accompany a ground robotic system, as this creates unnecessary risk and consumes resources,” said Farsight Vision CEO Viktoriia Yaremchuk.
The company is also working on moving from assisted navigation to the autonomous return of the robotic platform. By the end of 2026, Farsight Vision plans to enable the ground robotic system to automatically return to the point where communications were lost or to a designated base several kilometres away. Later, it aims to increase this range to 30–40 km and ensure a return at the platform’s maximum speed.
Farsight Vision is a Ukrainian-Estonian defence technology company founded in November 2023. It develops solutions for geospatial intelligence and situational awareness, including the FSV Platform for creating 2D and 3D terrain models, the FSV App for tactical planning, and navigation solutions for operating in environments without a GNSS signal.
In April, it became known that the company is developing a new method for detecting and locating unauthorised drones near airports and critical infrastructure facilities by analysing video streams without using GPS or radio signals.