OxTS WayFinder | Oxford Technical Solutions (OxTS) has launched WayFinder, a cutting-edge localisation solution that ensures accurate positioning even in GNSS-denied environments. Designed to function seamlessly out of the box, WayFinder eliminates the need for additional hardware and introduces LiDAR Boost, a unique software that enhances localisation accuracy.
WayFinder integrates OxTS’s renowned inertial navigation technology with dual survey-grade GNSS receivers to deliver precision under open skies. In challenging environments where GNSS signals are weak or entirely blocked, the system leverages an integrated LiDAR scanner and cameras. LiDAR Boost, a set of advanced algorithms, processes LiDAR data in real time to compensate for missing or erroneous GNSS information, ensuring high-accuracy localisation without expensive Fibre Optic or Ring Laser inertial units.
“WayFinder is one of the most technologically exciting products we’ve produced in recent years,” said Paris Austin, Head of Product at OxTS. “Anyone who has attempted sensor fusion before knows how complex it can be. The fact that WayFinder and LiDAR Boost remove that complexity is something many engineers will appreciate.”
With its ability to transition smoothly between GNSS and GNSS-denied areas, WayFinder offers immense value across multiple industries. Automotive testers can use it for indoor testing without additional infrastructure, while surveyors can georeference data gathered in urban environments, indoors, or underground. The system’s potential in autonomous navigation is particularly promising, as it includes a ROS2 driver and multiple connectivity options for seamless integration into autonomous platforms.
“Our customers are pushing the boundaries of localisation technology,” said Alison Smith, CEO of OxTS. “WayFinder will help them continue innovating, making GNSS-denied localisation more achievable, effective, and affordable than ever before.”
WayFinder is set to revolutionize autonomous navigation, georeferencing, and ground truthing, offering a new standard in localisation accuracy for land-based applications worldwide.
