San Francisco-based startup, Swift Navigation, is building centimeter-accurate GPS technology aimed to power a world of autonomous vehicles. Its latest product, the Piksi Multi, is a multi-band, multi-constellation high-precision GNSS receiver. Measuring in at 48 x  71mm, the new Piksi Multi aims to create a revolution in advanced precision GNSS capabilities for the mass market.

Autonomous devices require precision navigation—especially those that perform critical functions. Swift Navigation tries to enable such applications utilising real-time kinematics (RTK) technology to provide location solutions that are 100 times more accurate than traditional GPS.

Piksi Multi supports GPS L1/L2 and is hardware-ready for GLONASS G1/G2, BeiDou B1/B2, Galileo E1/E5b, QZSS L1/L2 and SBAS. Multiple signal bands enable convergence times measured in seconds, not minutes. Multiple satellite constellations enhance availability in new environments.

With a US$600 price, Piksi Multi’s centimeter-accurate performance might just be able to bring multi-GNSS for the masses. Swift Navigation is taking pre-orders and expected Piksi Multi to ship in the first half of 2017.

The Piksi Multi Evaluation Kit has also been upgraded with all new components. The new kit contains 2 Piksi Multi GNSS modules, 2 integrator-friendly evaluation boards, 2 GNSS survey-grade antennas, 2 high-performance radios, delivering best-in-class reliability and range—well over 10 kilometers—and all of the accessories required for rapid prototyping and integration.

Piksi Multi is an open platform. Customers are able to run Linux OS on its second core; allowing them to quickly prototype and adopt their own applications. Industries that Swift expect to benefit most from the new product include: autonomous vehicles, UAV, precision agriculture, robotics, space, survey and control and R&D applications requiring precise positioning.

“With the launch of Piksi Multi, Swift is taking another huge step forward in delivering affordable and highly-precise GNSS technology,” said Swift Navigation CEO, Timothy Harris. “No one else is able to offer the centimeter-accuracy, enhanced availability and fast convergence times at such a low cost. Piksi Multi will continue to revolutionize the autonomous devices category, which is growing at an unbelievable rate.”