Forge Photonics, a start up company using gravitational wave detection technology has launched, setting its sights on the $A120 billion global market for autonomous vehicle navigation systems.

The company aims to dramatically reduce the cost of navigation systems for a range of markets including self-driving cars, marine vehicles and defence. 

“Our work involves translating expert techniques for detecting gravitational waves – one of the hardest things to measure,” said Forge Photonics CTO, Dr Chathura Bandutunga.

“We are applying high precision measurements to photonic navigation systems – those that use light waves - to drastically reduce their cost and complexity.”

Forge Photonics draws on the expertise of physicists from the Research School of Physics and the ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics, a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery, who have previously worked on industrial projects in fibre optic sensing.

The investment is being led by IP Group, an early-stage science investor in deeptech, life sciences and cleantech. It builds on recent funding via a Federal Government Australia’s Economic Accelerator seed grant of $200,000 awarded to ANU.

IP Group Principal Eeshan Kulkarni said: “We are excited by our investment in Forge Photonics, who are on their way to developing radically new architecture for navigation systems.”

“Self-driving cars need to know where they are, otherwise, they can crash and cause damage, injuries and death. Current navigation technology at a level that provides the desired degree of safety is uneconomical, and the solution developed by the Forge team can unlock the potential for widespread adoption.”

“This partnership highlights the critical role of fundamental research in addressing important industry challenges and positions us at the forefront of the global autonomous vehicle technology boom,” said ANU Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Lachlan Blackhall.

Forge Photonics is already in discussions with leading global navigation system players about pilot projects, Dr Bandutunga said.

“We expect a rapid pathway to global scale if our system achieves the required performance in pilots.”