Northrop Grumman and the Georgia Institute of Technology have been tapped to develop a next-gen Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscope for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
According to Northrop exec Charles Volk, the advanced MEMS tech will be used as the basis for a micro resonator gyro capable of achieving navigation grade performance.
“Utilizing a new MEMS fabrication process, [we] will produce a proof-of-concept micro gyro that can perform as well as current silicon MEMS devices in a smaller size, lighter weight and lower power package,” said Volk.
“This will enable us to move navigation technology forward by creating miniature gyros which can be utilized on a variety of applications, from unmanned vehicles to hand-held devices.”
It should be noted that Apple’s wildly popular iPad 2 features a three-axis MEMS gyroscope.
Fortunately, the next-gen MEMS gyroscope technology will likely trickle down to consumer devices at some point in the future – which will allow manufacturers to design tablets, smartphones and handheld consoles with more precise “tracking” capabilities for gamers.
