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GPS underpins many of the vital systems that our contemporary society relies upon, including transportation, communication, agriculture, and national security. However, this increasing reliance poses significant risks.
“There is a rising concern because foreign adversaries possess the ability to jam, destroy, or spoof the GPS signals, which is a frightening thought,” explains Shaun Moore, CEO and co-founder of Tern AI. Moore warned of the disastrous economic consequences for the U.S. if such interference were to happen.
Moore, who successfully exited his last venture Trueface by selling it to Pangiam in 2021, remarked that Tern AI is determined to “dissolve the target that currently exists on GPS.”
Emerging from stealth mode in February, Tern AI recently secured a $4.4 million seed investment from Scout Ventures, Shadow Capital, Bravo Victor VC, and Veteran Fund. The company has introduced an Independently Derived Positioning System (IDPS) that enables accurate location tracking of vehicles and individuals without depending on satellite-based signals. This innovation ensures that positioning remains unimpacted by customary GPS vulnerabilities such as jamming or signal loss in obstructed areas.
“Our technology can replicate the functions of GPS without the need to query satellites in space for our location,” Moore mentioned.
The prevalent method utilizes GPS receivers in devices and vehicles to receive signals from satellites circling the Earth. These signals carry the time when they were transmitted. The device receivers compute the time it took for each signal to arrive in order to gauge the distance to each satellite. By constructing a triangulation of these distances, the receivers can pinpoint their location, which is then visualized on mapping services such as Google Maps or Waze.
This method, despite being a global standard, is prone to localized disruptions. For instance, malevolent entities have utilized GPS spoofing to manipulate the navigation of commercial vessels, and companies have faced signal jamming that incapacitates their operational capabilities.
Tern AI’s IDPS is driven by an AI system that analyzes real-time sensor data from vehicles and phones, along with external map data, to continually offer a dependable and exact positioning. This software can be implemented in compatible vehicle infotainment systems or downloaded to smartphones. The AI utilizes existing sensor data to triangulate positioning, and in some cases, may also draw car sensor data via the vehicle’s on-board diagnostics port.
Moore envisions major mapping platforms integrating Tern AI’s positioning data, moving away from GPS dependence. Dialogue with these platforms for direct integration is ongoing.
A key advantage of Tern AI’s system is its reliance on AI to interpret sensor information already present in smartphones and vehicles, without the need for computer vision or cameras.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, a former DOT deputy assistant secretary, praised Tern AI’s technology as an affordable and innovative solution to longstanding GPS challenges.
Though there are other alternatives to GPS like Low Earth Orbit Satellites and ground-based beacons, they are costly to implement and sustain.
Despite incremental improvements, Moore believes that GPS technology has not seen true innovation in nearly 50 years and remains vulnerable to targeting and manipulation.
Adhering to a principle of “No Signal,” Moore emphasizes that everything required for location tracking is already accessible, if only integrated with the right intelligence.
Tern AI has conducted internal tests in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation standards, demonstrating that its IDPS can position within four meters accuracy.
The company plans to begin field testing with a logistics partner in July and aims for a commercial release in September. Industries such as emergency services and autonomous delivery are also seen as potential beneficiaries of Tern’s innovation. Moore anticipates partnerships with the Department of Defense and the DOT in the future.
Stephen DiBartolomeo, principal at Scout Ventures, highlighted Tern AI’s distinctive and scalable approach as key to solving a pressing national security concern, also recognizing the technology’s potential for commercial automotive applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main concern with the current reliance on GPS?
The main concern is that GPS is vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and destruction by foreign adversaries, which can lead to serious economic and security consequences.
What is Tern AI’s solution to GPS vulnerabilities?
Tern AI offers an Independently Derived Positioning System (IDPS), which uses AI to parse through existing vehicle and phone sensor data to provide accurate location information without relying on GPS satellites.
How does Tern AI’s technology differ from traditional GPS?
Unlike traditional GPS that requires satellite signals, Tern AI’s IDPS uses real-time sensor data and AI modeling to establish position, which is not affected by signal loss or jamming issues common with GPS.
Is Tern AI’s system compatible with existing technologies?
Yes, Tern AI’s system is designed to work with current smartphone and vehicle technologies and can be downloaded as a software package.
What industries could benefit from Tern AI’s technology?
Industries such as logistics, emergency services, autonomous delivery, and potentially the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation could benefit from the enhanced reliability and security of Tern AI’s system.
