Forge Photonics, Mission Systems sign deal for ‘yellow submarines’

A start-up commercialising autonomous vehicle navigation systems invented at the Australian National University (ANU) has signed a landmark deal with a robotics customer making undersea drones. Canberra-based Forge Photonics is using its own novel technology to drive down the cost of navigation systems for self-driving cars, ships and defence platforms, to access a global market worth at least $A120 billion. It has signed a deal with Sydney-based defence innovator Mission Systems to supply fibre optic gyroscopes for its underwater drones – vehicles referred to as “yellow submarines” for their colour. Mission Systems chose Forge Photonics’ navigation system because it is not reliant on GPS or acoustic transmissions, dramatically reducing the chance of detection. It is also substantially cheaper than other guidance systems. “Our objective is for our technology to not only ‘live in yellow submarines’ but to help make them undetectable, and thus boost Australia’s deterrent military capability,” said Forge Photonics CEO Justin Wong. “Our gyroscopic technology uses lasers, fibre optic cables and algorithms originally developed to detect gravitational waves and was home-grown at the ANU.” Mission Systems Director Dr David Battle added that the ability to produce low-cost fibre optic inertial navigation systems locally is a win for sovereign industrial capability. “This enables a higher degree of customisation and tuning to specific applications that has previously been impossible,” Dr Battle said. “Forge’s novel technology has particular attributes that make it compelling for undersea applications.” Forge Photonics has attracted Investment from IP Group and superannuation fund Hostplus. IP Group Principal Eeshan Kulkarni said Forge Photonics was an important part of IP Group’s Australian portfolio, which includes groundbreaking ventures such as Hysata, Banksia Minerals and Electralith. “Forge Photonics is developing a radically new architecture for navigation systems and this deal with Mission Systems is a significant step forward,” Dr Kulkarni said. Wong said the defense systems market is important but the tip of a much larger iceberg. “Our technology can be used in much greater volume across industry, agriculture and eventually the automotive sector It’s suitable for almost any autonomous vehicle needing affordable, precision, GPS-free navigation.” Forge Photonics is in advanced discussions about pilot projects with a range of potential customers including a US-based navigation sensor company, a global car manufacturer, and a European Defence company. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]