People today cannot live without their digital devices, especially, not without their GPS devices to help them navigate. However, GPS navigation has its limitations. For example, it does not work in tunnels or other areas with poor signal reception. To circumvent GPS navigation limitations, military weapon systems, aircraft, and large commercial drones are generally equipped with fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG) that are unaffected by environmental interferences. Combining inertial navigation and GPS navigation ensures that the aircraft stays on course and lands safely even without GPS signals.
According to Aegiverse CEO Dr. Hung-Pin Chung, GPS navigation that many people are familiar with relies on satellites. When signal reception from satellites is blocked by buildings, it affects GPS precision or even causes GPS failure. A FOG calculates the rotation speed by measuring the phase difference caused by the rotation when light waves travel in a coil of optical fiber. Boasting superior precision and durability to traditional mechanical gyroscopes, FOGs, commercialized in the 1980s, have become important equipment used in military devices, aircraft, ships, and space probes for inertial navigation.
However, conventional FOGs are bulky and costly. In view of this, many manufacturers are making efforts to develop next-generation FOGs that are smaller and cheaper. Aegiverse is among the few companies that have successfully achieved the goal. Its FOGs have entered commercialization and are being used in drones, underwater vehicles, and satellites.
Multi-layered design realizes both footprint and cost reduction
Founded in 2022, Aegiverse is a startup incubated by National Central University. Its in-house developed FOGs have been awarded multiple patents both at home and abroad. The Aegiverse team is completely capable of developing a product from concept to market. Aegiverse supplies FOGs and FOG inertial measurement units for use in mobility vehicles as an inertial attitude-sensing solution.
Conventional FOGs are generally based on a discrete design integrating all functions. Such a design offers a complete range of functions but it also makes the product bulky and costly. In contrast, leveraging its experience and R&D strength, Aegiverse combined some function modules into a single chip and introduced a multi-layered FOG architecture. The approach allows Aegiverse to design circuit modules purpose-built for industrial, military, aerospace, and other applications. Not only does it effectively reduce the cost to replace an internal element but it also significantly slims down the product.
As opposed to the round shape of conventional FOGs, Aegiverse's FOGs have a cubic shape and cost 50% to 70% less, making them extremely competitive on the market. Comprehensive customization services are also available.
Foraying into the U.S. and India, Aegiverse looks for multi-sector partnership opportunities
The first-generation FOG that Aegiverse brought to existence was as big as a tabletop. With mechanical engineering specialists joining the team, Aegiverse was able to scale down the product to its marketable size today, allowing Aegiverse to secure more partnership deals. So far the company has more than 20 patents or patent applications and is working with partners to deploy its products in drones, submarines, and satellites.
Dr. Chung co-founded Polaris Photonics with several industry veterans in 2016. In reminiscence of the experience, he said Taiwan's startup environment was more conservative at that time. Startups generally did not pursue angel investment, which was a big challenge to them. Taiwan's startup scene has significantly improved now with support from the National Development Fund and a large increase in the ratio of venture capital firms joining A-round financing. Aegiverse's application for the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Proof of Business (POB) program and participation at multiple Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) events proved to be beneficial to the company's development.
Going forward, Aegiverse will actively expand into the US and India while staying committed to the ext-generation product R&D. It plans to introduce a FOG that is the size of a business card and expects to grab market shares with the product.
Aegiverse's GP series FOGs
The Aegiverse team conducting a flight test
