Septentrio Expanded mosaic-G5 Positioning Ecosystem
New partners and open-source designs aim to simplify GNSS integration for robotics and drone developers.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Septentrio, a subsidiary of Hexagon, has expanded its mosaic-G5 GNSS receiver ecosystem with new commercial partnerships and open-source hardware designs. These additions are intended to streamline the adoption of high-precision positioning technology in robotics and UAV systems.
Why it matters
By providing standardized, open-source reference designs, Septentrio aims to reduce the engineering barriers for developers integrating precise positioning into autonomous platforms. This move signals a shift toward making hardware-level satellite navigation more accessible for rapid prototyping.
The mosaic-G5 GNSS modules feature a compact form factor measuring 23 mm by 16 mm with a total weight of 2.2 grams. These specifications support integration into space-constrained UAVs compared to traditional, bulkier positioning hardware.
The players
Septentrio
A subsidiary of Hexagon specializing in the design of high-precision GNSS positioning technology for demanding industrial applications.
Hoverfly
A commercial partner newly integrated into the mosaic-G5 ecosystem to support expanded deployment of positioning tech.
CUAV
A new commercial partner focusing on open-source hardware solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles.
Hexagon
A multinational technology group that owns Septentrio and provides software and sensor solutions for geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.
The details
Septentrio has released open-source hardware reference designs on GitHub, including the mosaicG5-HAT, TeenG5, moTi, and G5Dot boards. These designs act as blueprints for developers to incorporate GNSS modules—hardware that calculates position using satellite signals—directly into their robotic or drone architectures. By providing these schematics, the company allows for quicker platform integration, bypassing the need for custom interface development.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Septentrio published the announcement regarding the ecosystem expansion.
The Tech Race
This ecosystem expansion positions the mosaic-G5 GNSS receiver as a primary contender in the race to standardize positioning modules for autonomous systems. By leveraging open-source designs, Septentrio is directly challenging proprietary hardware lock-ins prevalent in current drone and robotics development.
Developers and systems engineers can immediately access the new reference designs on GitHub to build prototypes for robotics or UAV projects. The integration of these modules requires familiarity with standard hardware-to-platform interfaces but removes the need for designing complex positioning circuitry from scratch.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates a commitment to modularity, potentially accelerating the development timelines for next-generation autonomous platforms. Engineers should monitor the performance benchmarks of these specific open-source reference designs as they are integrated into commercial hardware stacks over the coming months.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in chip-based navigation, visit our Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GPS World.
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