Naurt’s satellite technology is 150 times more precise than current GPS capabilities, measuring within 10 centimetres
Brighton-based tech startup Naurt has today announced it is launching its private beta phase by trialling its new hyper-accurate satellite location technology. The pilot will gather large amounts of constellation data for a new form of GPS which could see the fledgling company achieve a world-first.
Entrepreneurs Jack Maddalena and Nicolas Slack, both in their twenties, founded Naurt in April 2020. Since then it has grown to a team of eight people, secured £500k in funding, and joined the BRITE programme for high-growth South-East companies, part funded by the European Regional Development.
Naurt’s technology is 150 times more accurate than current GPS tracking. It can provide an exact location within 10 centimetres anywhere in the world, either indoors or outside. It’s supported by five key innovations in the tracking space, including sensor fusion, all delivered in a simplistic plug-and-play, beacon-free SaaS web application.
The satellite aerial now installed on top of the Plus X Innovation Hub, measuring just 30 cm in height, is gathering 25 lines of constellation data a day at 14 times the speed of sound. The sheer volume of information made possible by the installation will help refine the Naurt product while allowing the company to rapidly expand its customer base.
The duo are currently working with travel company TUI to enable travellers to follow their journey in real-time from door to airport, airport to taxi, taxi to hotel room. Other clients include Sofology and The Roads and Transport Authority.
Naurt’s co-founder and CEO Jack Maddalena says: “We asked companies what their primary pain point was and the responses we received were almost unanimous: matching customers up at different points on their journeys, like drivers and passengers at an airport”.
Further potential applications include enabling the safe use of aerial drones for doorstep deliveries, and far greater accuracy in the energy and telecoms sectors to locate underground pipes and wires.
“People that have had their smartphone lost or stolen might have used the ‘Find My Phone’ feature. With Naurt’s precision, we could distinguish what pocket it’s in!” adds Nicolas, co-founder and chief technology officer. “Gathering all of the data using the equipment installed at Plus X is a big step on our road to making that a possibility”.
The team has been supported by the BRITE innovation programme – a £10.5million initiative part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund that’s led by Plus X in partnership with the University of Brighton. The programme is helping ambitious South-East businesses like Naurt to scale.
Jack adds: “Our goal is to be an integral part of the smart cities of the future, and the BRITE programme has been a key factor in making that a reality for us. Armed with this data, we can expect to see our customer base increase tenfold over the coming months.”
