Bengaluru startup develops tool to track ships and aircraft without GPS
Xovian Aerospace has built an AI system that detects vessels and planes even when their GPS systems are disabled, addressing security gaps that have widened amid smuggling and illegal fishing operations.
The tool analyzes radio frequency signals and satellite data to track vehicles that have switched off conventional navigation systems. Ships typically broadcast on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) band at 160 MHz, but the system works even when that signal is disabled by detecting other onboard radio emissions and their electromagnetic signatures.
Co-founder Ankit Bhateja said the company is running pilot projects with commercial shipping companies and discussing deployments with India's defence sector. The 14-member team, which includes former ISRO scientists, spent two years developing the technology before launch.
Current limitations and next steps
The system currently relies on multiple data sources, creating a tracking delay of about 20 minutes. Xovian Aerospace plans to deploy its own spectrum-scanning satellite to reduce that lag to a few minutes.
Bhateja said the company is in talks with ISRO and international launch providers to deploy its satellite this financial year. The satellite would eliminate dependency on external data sources and enable real-time tracking across larger geographic areas.
How the technology works
When GPS is off, the system examines radio frequency signals from onboard instruments. If all communication systems are disabled, it uses the vessel's last known position and signals from nearby ships to estimate movement.
The technology applies to ships, aircraft, defence sites, and industrial facilities. For IT and development professionals, understanding AI for IT & Development includes practical applications like satellite signal processing and RF detection systems that underpin infrastructure security.
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