Innovate UK has awarded Edinburgh-based photonics company Skylark Lasers a £2.34m grant for its quantum gravity sensors.
Skylark Lasers’ sensors aim to outperform conventional GPS and satellite navigation in applications like self-driving shipping boats.
“These innovations have the potential to revolutionise the ship & rail navigation, civil engineering, and underground resource exploration sectors which will have a significant influence on global supply chain efficiencies,” said Dr. Ben Szutor, chief executive officer of Skylark Lasers.
Szutor was Skylark’s chief technology officer up until last month when he became CEO.
Along with boat steering, the quantum gravity sensors can be implemented into rail, civil engineering and underground resource finding.
The amount given to Skylark Lasers equates to nearly 10% of Innovate UK’s £25m quantum-enabled navigation competition fund.
Kerry Sharp, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “This Innovate UK award will support their portable laser system, which will help bring substantial improvements and accuracy to ship navigation, rail navigation, civil engineering, and underground resource exploration.”
Founded in 2013, the firm’s lasers have a wide range of applications including flow cytometry, brillouin scattering, raman spectroscopy and holography.
A cashew shell oil startup and meat-free steak developer are among Innovate UK’s other recent grant recipients.