Quantum navigation: Unhackable, GPS-free

About this episode

This episode explores the breakthrough of quantum navigation technology that operates without GPS, featuring insights from Michael Biercuk of Q-CTRL.

What happens when GPS goes down: jammed, spoofed, or completely denied? In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier sits down with Michael Biercuk, founder and CEO of Q-CTRL, to explore one of the most surprising breakthroughs in quantum technology: quantum navigation. While most of the quantum world is focused on computing, Q-CTRL is building something entirely different: AI-powered quantum sensing systems that can navigate aircraft, drones, and vehicles without GPS. Even more surprising? This technology didn’t exist just over a year ago. Now it’s already shipping. You’ll learn: • How quantum sensors can “see” invisible features of the Earth • Why magnetic and gravitational fields enable GPS-free navigation • How this system achieves 100x better accuracy than current GPS alternatives • Why it works in environments where other systems fail (clouds, water, darkness, interference) • The role of AI software in stabilizing fragile quantum systems in real-world conditions • What this means for aviation, defense, and the future of autonomous systems This is a deep dive into a fast-moving frontier where quantum meets real-world deployment, and it’s happening faster than almost…

People in this episode

Host: John Koetsier

Guest: Michael Biercuk

Topics covered

• quantum navigation
• GPS-free technology
• quantum sensing
• AI in navigation
• autonomous systems

Keywords

• quantum technology
• navigation systems
• aircraft
• drones
• vehicles
• AI-powered

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Q-CTRL

Places: Earth

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