Exail Launches Compact Marins M1 Navigation System
The new inertial sensor provides positioning for uncrewed maritime platforms in environments where satellite signals are unavailable.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Robotics
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Exail has launched the Marins M1, a compact inertial navigation system designed to provide reliable positioning for smaller maritime platforms. This new unit is built on the company's existing Fiber Optic Gyroscope technology and is currently available for integration.
Why it matters
The system enables precise navigation in environments where global satellite signals are blocked or unavailable. It is specifically engineered to meet the strict size, weight, power, and cost requirements necessary for operating uncrewed surface and underwater vessels.
The Marins M1 demonstrates a maximum position drift of 1 nautical mile over a 3-hour duration without external aiding. This performance is achieved using a compact Fiber Optic Gyroscope, a sensor that uses light interference to measure rotation, to provide heading, roll, and pitch data.
The players
Exail
A developer of advanced industrial robotics and maritime navigation technology, focusing on inertial systems for uncrewed platforms.
The details
The Marins M1 functions by using a Fiber Optic Gyroscope — a sensor that measures angular velocity by tracking the interference of light beams circulating in a fiber coil — to maintain orientation and positioning. By calculating movement internally, the system allows vessels to navigate in GNSS-denied environments where satellite signals are obstructed. The hardware is designed with a smaller footprint than previous models to fit into confined spaces on patrol boats and autonomous craft.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Exail unveiled the Marins M1 navigation system.
The Tech Race
This release follows the architectural progression of the Exail Marins navigation series by downsizing existing high-precision sensors for smaller maritime platforms. The focus on GNSS-denied capability positions the unit against specialized navigation systems intended for uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles.
Operators of patrol boats, rigid-hulled inflatable boats, and autonomous underwater vehicles can now integrate the unit to maintain navigation in satellite-denied environments. The system is available for current deployment, offering a reduction in size and cost compared to legacy inertial navigation gear.
The takeaway
The Marins M1 indicates a shift toward bringing high-end inertial navigation sensors into the smaller, lower-power form factors required for the modern autonomous fleet. Future milestones to monitor include integration trials on specific uncrewed surface and underwater vessel classes.
Further reading
For broader trends in autonomous maritime hardware, see our latest coverage on Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GPS World.
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