Multi-functional Microfabricated Atomic-Photonic Systems: Multi-MAPS

A UK team is building a chip-sized gyroscope that uses the spin of atoms to navigate without GPS. GPS signals are easy to jam, spoof, or lose—in tunnels, underwater, or during military operations. Current alternatives, like mechanical gyroscopes, drift over time and require frequent recalibration. This project tackles that gap by developing an atomic spin gyroscope: a device that measures rotation by tracking how atoms precess in a magnetic field, much like a spinning top. The result is a navigation-grade sensor that stays accurate without external signals. If successful, the Multi-MAPS module could replace bulkier, less stable navigation systems in submarines, autonomous drones, underground infrastructure monitors, and factory robots. It would allow vehicles and equipment to know exactly where they are—and how they are moving—even when GPS is unavailable. The project builds on existing UK quantum research and aims to produce a commercial prototype within 24 months. This is applied engineering, not fundamental science: the team is turning known quantum principles into a rugged, manufacturable device for real-world navigation.