INERTIAL LABS – HIGH-PERFORMANCE ORIENTATION AND NAVIGATION SOLUTIONS

Inertial Labs is a company that designs, develops, and manufactures inertial measurement units (IMUs), inertial navigation systems (INSs), and other motion-based sensors and systems. The company was founded in 2001 by a team of engineers passionate about developing innovative technologies.

Interview with Jamie Marraccini, CEO of Inertial Labs.

Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities.

Jamie Marraccini: Inertial Labs’ products are used in a wide variety of applications, including:

  • Aerospace: Inertial Labs’ products are used in various aerospace applications, including aircraft, satellites, and missiles.
  • Defense: Inertial Labs’ products are used in various defense applications, including ground vehicles, ships, and weapons systems.
  • Industrial: Inertial Labs’ products are used in various industrial applications, including robotics, machine tools, and manufacturing.
  • Research: Inertial Labs’ products are used in various research applications, including oceanography, geology, and seismology.

Inertial Labs is committed to providing its customers with high-quality products and services. The company has a team of experienced engineers who provide technical support and training. Inertial Labs also offers a variety of customization options to meet the specific needs of its customers.

Inertial Labs is a leading provider of inertial measurement units, navigation systems, and other motion-based sensors and systems. The company is committed to providing its customers with high-quality products and services.

Here are some of the company’s key activities:

  • Research and development: Inertial Labs invests heavily in research and development to stay ahead of the curve in the field of inertial navigation.
  • Manufacturing: Inertial Labs has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility produces high-quality inertial sensors and systems.
  • Sales and marketing: Inertial Labs has a global sales and marketing team that is dedicated to providing customers with the best possible service.
  • Support: Inertial Labs offers a comprehensive program with technical support, training, and spare parts.

Inertial Labs is a company passionate about developing innovative technologies that improve how people live and work. The company is committed to providing its customers with high-quality products and services that meet their needs.

E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

J.M: Inertial measurement units (IMUs): Inertial Labs designs, develops, and manufactures IMUs for various applications, including aerospace, defense, industrial, and research. IMUs are used to measure the orientation and velocity of a platform and are essential for navigation and control systems.

Inertial navigation systems (INSs): Inertial Labs designs, develops, and manufactures INSs for various applications, including aerospace, defense, and industrial. INSs use IMUs to provide position, velocity, and attitude information for a platform.

Motion-based sensors and systems: Inertial Labs also designs, develops, and manufactures a variety of other motion-based sensors and procedures, including optical gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers. These sensors are used in various applications, including robotics, machine vision, and automotive safety.

E.E: What’s the news about new products?

J.M: Inertial Labs, a leading provider of inertial measurement units, inertial navigation systems, and other motion-based sensors and systems, has released a new INS-U inertial navigation system. The INS-U is a high-performance, compact, and lightweight system designed for various applications, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics, and industrial automation.

The INS-U includes several features that make it a powerful tool for these applications, including:

  • High-accuracy position and orientation: The INS-U provides high-accuracy position and orientation information, even in GPS-denied environments.
  • Compact and lightweight: The INS-U is a compact and lightweight system that is easy to mount on various platforms.
  • Low power consumption: The INS-U features low power consumption, making it ideal for long-range missions.
  • Wide operating temperature range: The INS-U operates widely, making it suitable for various environments.

The INS-U is available now for purchase from Inertial Labs. For more information, please visit the Inertial Labs website.

Here are some additional details about the INS-U:

  • The INS-U combines MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) and ring laser gyroscopes to provide high-accuracy position and orientation information.
  • The INS-U has a built-in GNSS receiver that can improve position accuracy in GPS-enabled environments.
  • The INS-U can be used with various sensors, including cameras, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanners, and other inertial measurement units.
  • The INS-U is compatible with various software platforms, including MATLAB, Python, and C++.
  • The INS-U is a powerful tool that can be used for various applications. It is a compact, lightweight, and low-power system that is easy to use and integrate into multiple systems.

E.E: What are the ranges of products?

J.M: Inertial measurement units (IMUs): Inertial Labs designs, develops, and manufactures IMUs for various applications, including aerospace, defense, industrial, and research. IMUs are used to measure the orientation and velocity of a platform and are essential for navigation and control systems.

Inertial navigation systems (INSs): Inertial Labs designs, develops, and manufactures INSs for various applications, including aerospace, defense, and industrial. INSs use IMUs to provide position, velocity, and attitude information for a platform.

Motion-based sensors and systems: Inertial Labs also designs, develops, and manufactures a variety of other motion-based sensors and systems, including optical gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers. 

These sensors are used in various applications, including robotics, machine vision, and automotive safety.

Inertial Labs products are used in a wide variety of applications, including:

  • Aerospace: Inertial Labs products are used in various aerospace applications, including aircraft, satellites, and missiles.
  • Defense: Inertial Labs products are used in various defense applications, including ground vehicles, ships, and weapons systems.
  • Industrial: Inertial Labs products are used in various industrial applications, including robotics, machine tools, and manufacturing.
  • Research: Inertial Labs products are used in various research applications, including oceanography, geology, and seismology.

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

J.M: Inertial Labs is currently active in the growth stage of the market. The market is still relatively new, but it is proliferating. There is much potential for growth in this market, and Inertial Labs is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.

The growth of the market for inertial measurement units (IMUs) and inertial navigation systems (INSs) is being driven by several factors, including:

  • The increasing demand for autonomous vehicles, such as drones and self-driving cars.
  • The rising demand for high-accuracy navigation in GPS-denied environments, such as indoors and urban canyons.
  • The increasing demand for improved performance in robotics and machine vision applications.

Inertial Labs is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth of this market. The company has a strong track record of innovation and offers a wide range of high-quality products and services. Inertial Labs is also committed to providing excellent customer support, which is essential in this competitive market.

Here are some of the factors that are contributing to the growth of the market for Inertial Labs:

  • The increasing demand for autonomous vehicles: The need for autonomous vehicles is snowballing, and Inertial Labs is well-positioned to meet this demand with its high-quality IMUs and INSs.
  • The increasing demand for high-accuracy navigation in GPS-denied environments: The need for high-accuracy navigation in GPS-denied environments is also snowballing, and Inertial Labs is well-positioned to meet this demand with its INSs.
  • The increasing demand for improved performance in applications such as robotics and machine vision:The need for enhanced performance in applications such as robotics and machine vision is` also proliferating. Inertial Labs is well-positioned to meet this demand with its IMUs.

Overall, the market for Inertial Labs is in a growth stage, and the company is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

J.M: Having amassed over two decades of experience in this field, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth of the inertial navigation industry. It is an exhilarating journey shaped by several notable trends, propelling the industry forward.

One key trend profoundly impacted is the relentless pursuit of miniaturizing inertial sensors. This ongoing endeavor has yielded remarkable results, as inertial navigation systems have become increasingly affordable and seamlessly integrable into a diverse range of devices. From ubiquitous smartphones to versatile tablets and even trendy wearables, the accessibility and ease of integration have democratized the adoption of inertial navigation systems.

Developing advanced technologies, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors, has also revolutionized the industry. These state-of-the-art sensors offer enhanced accuracy and reliability compared to their traditional counterparts while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Consequently, previously untapped markets, including the ever-expanding consumer electronics domain, have enthusiastically embraced inertial navigation systems.

In an era increasingly focused on safeguarding lives and assets, inertial navigation systems have found extensive application in various safety-critical domains. From bolstering automotive safety systems to empowering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and even guiding missile systems, the demand for dependable inertial navigation solutions continues to soar.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

J.M: Inertial Labs has a wide range of innovative products, but some of the most notable include:

  • INS-U Inertial Navigation System: The INS-U is a high-performance, compact, and lightweight system that is designed for a variety of applications, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics, and industrial automation.
  • RESEPI LiDAR Remote Sensing Payload Instrument: The RESEPI is a compact and lightweight system easily mounted on a drone, aircraft, or ground vehicle. It includes a high-accuracy GNSS-aided inertial navigation system (INS), a high-resolution LiDAR scanner, and an integrated camera.
  • MRU Motion Reference Unit: The MRU is a high-performance, IP-67 sealed strapdown Motion Sensor that determines Pitch & Roll, Heave, Sway, Surge, acceleration, Angular rates, Heading, Velocity, and Positions for any device on which it is mounted.
  • TAG Two-Axis and Three-Axis Gyroscopes: The TAG gyroscopes are high-performance, compact, and lightweight devices that are used in a variety of applications, including robotics, machine vision, and automotive safety.

These are just a few innovative products that Inertial Labs markets. The company is constantly developing new products and technologies to meet the needs of its customers.

E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?

J.M: I foresee significant growth in the inertial navigation industry for the year 2023. By the end of this year, the global inertial navigation industry is projected to reach a remarkable value of $22.1 billion. This growth can be attributed to the escalating demand for inertial navigation systems (INSs) across various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and defense.

In the automotive industry, INSs are extensively utilized in applications such as electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and lane departure warning systems. In aerospace, INSs are crucial in navigation, guidance, and control. Similarly, INSs are vital in defense for missile guidance, target tracking, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation.

Several factors contribute to the growth of the inertial navigation industry:

  • The trend of miniaturizing INSs makes them more affordable and easier to integrate into a wide range of devices.
  • The emergence of innovative technologies like MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) inertial sensors has expanded the applications of INSs.
  • The increasing demand for safety and security measures is driving the growth of the inertial navigation industry.

I am optimistic about the prospects of the inertial navigation industry in 2023 as it continues to evolve and meet the demands of various sectors.