Systems to determine geographic positions without using GPS : from the laboratory to the general public

Technologies to determine geographic position using external signals (such as the Global Positioning System or the Global System for Mobile communication) are limited by the absence of indoor signals, errors made in built-up areas, and the lack of availability of a signal. A small group of experts from the Ministry of Defence and the Mines-ParisTech Engineering School has developed a technology which uses variations in the magnetic field. In 2008, they created their own company in order to market applications designed for use by the general public, for example, a navigation system whereby a drone can be piloted from an iPhone. David Vissière, founding president of SYSNAV, tells the story of a team who had previously worked in a large organisation where priority is given to technical expertise, which is faced with challenges from a young, innovative company using a model based on the twin development of products and research.