In an exciting leap forward for autonomous flight technology, Santa Clara-based ANELLO Photonics has unveiled a remarkable innovation that could transform how drones navigate our skies. Their newly launched ANELLO Aerial INS represents a breakthrough in making drone operations safer, more reliable, and accessible to a wider range of users.

At the heart of this achievement lies something truly extraordinary: the world's smallest optical gyroscope, small enough to fit on a one-inch square chip. Dr. Mario Paniccia, co-founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics, explains that this Silicon Photonic Optical Gyroscope technology delivers the precision of expensive, bulky navigation systems found in advanced aircraft, but in a package that's affordable and practical for everyday use.

"Customers flying real missions need resilient navigation when GNSS isn't reliable," Dr. Paniccia shares enthusiastically. The system ensures that drones can maintain their course and complete missions safely, even when GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable—a common challenge in urban environments, remote locations, and adverse weather conditions.

What makes this technology particularly promising is its versatility and accessibility. Unlike traditional high-precision navigation systems that are prohibitively expensive and bulky, ANELLO's innovation brings professional-grade performance to applications ranging from agricultural drones monitoring crops to emergency response vehicles delivering critical supplies. The company successfully tested the technology in maritime settings last summer, demonstrating its reliability across diverse environments.

The system works through an ingenious application of light-based sensing. By splitting light beams and measuring how they shift as the device rotates, the technology determines orientation with remarkable precision—all without any moving parts that could wear out or break. This means longer-lasting, more dependable navigation for autonomous vehicles of all kinds.

Gerhard Boiciuc, vice president of business development at ANELLO, emphasizes that the entire optical gyroscope can be manufactured on a single chip, fabricated right here in the United States. This domestic production capability supports American innovation and manufacturing jobs while ensuring supply chain security.

The company's commitment to excellence has earned recognition from the U.S. Navy, which awarded ANELLO a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract in September 2025. This validation from defense experts underscores the technology's reliability and potential impact.

Weighing just one pound and consuming minimal power, the ANELLO Aerial INS integrates seamlessly with existing drone systems through standard interfaces. The company worked closely with customers to ensure the system meets real-world needs, and it's compatible with popular flight control platforms, making upgrades straightforward for current drone operators.

Dan Magy, CEO of drone manufacturer Firestorm, praises the innovation: "The ANELLO team has developed an aerial solution that seamlessly integrates into existing avionics with minimal effort." He notes that this capability represents a powerful upgrade for modern aerial platforms across applications.

Looking ahead, Dr. Paniccia shares the company's inspiring vision: "We eventually want to bring high-precision navigation to everything." The team continues working to make the technology even smaller and more efficient, opening doors for countless new applications that could benefit society.

Production shipments begin in the second quarter of 2026, with evaluation units available now. This represents an exciting milestone in making autonomous flight safer and more reliable for everyone.