SentiSystems – Strategic-Technological Analysis
In the age of autonomous drones and unmanned vehicles, losing access to GPS signals can cripple operations. SentiSystems, a young Norwegian spin-off from NTNU, is tackling this challenge head-on with a sensor fusion platform that enables precise navigation even when satellite navigation is denied. Founded by researchers in Trondheim, the company has quietly developed a hardware-software solution that synchronizes data from multiple sensors with microsecond accuracy[1]. This technology – essentially a high-precision “sensor brain” called SentiBoard – allows robots to orient themselves reliably without relying on external signals. Early demonstrations have impressed industry players: an Airbus-led project for lunar landing simulation used SentiSystems’ board to achieve 80% faster sensor integration and quadrupled precision[2]. Likewise, Norwegian maritime innovators are testing it in uncrewed ferries and drones to ensure they can navigate safely under Arctic sky or inside GPS-denied ship harbors. At a time when Europe is seeking more autonomy in critical technologies, SentiSystems offers a glimpse into a home-grown solution that could strengthen resilience. How can this niche Nordic startup contribute to Europe’s strategic autonomy and NATO’s technological edge? The analysis that follows examines SentiSystems through that lens – from its corporate DNA to its role in reducing dependence on non-allied suppliers – to assess just how this company might fit into Europe’s larger defense-tech mosaic.