NeuroNavi Systems – a new spin-off of WUT

Inertial navigation refers to determining position without relying on GPS. Put simply, the system knows where it is even when GPS is unavailable — for example, when signals are jammed by hostile forces. The development of such technologies is crucial for national sovereignty in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.

The new spin-off of the Warsaw University of Technology is a natural continuation of research and development carried out within the project “Development of a support system for inertial navigation of rapidly rotating objects (NeuroNavi)” (LIDER15/0284/2024), which focuses on building a new generation of navigation systems for critical applications. The company was established to translate research results into real-world technological solutions with potential applications in both civilian and defence sectors (dual-use).

“One of the key areas of NeuroNavi Systems’ activity will be the automation of systems, particularly unmanned aerial and ground platforms,” says the company’s founder, Dawid Florczak, MSc. “We will focus on developing technologies that enable their full autonomy, integrating control, perception, and real-time decision-making systems, as well as ensuring effective operation in environments without access to GNSS signals.”

The creators of NeuroNavi Systems openly draw inspiration from the operational model of the legendary R&D unit Skunk Works at Lockheed Martin. Although the scale and budgets are not comparable, their working philosophy is based on similar principles: speed, minimal bureaucracy, and a focus on critical technological challenges.

This model originates from the principles developed by Kelly Johnson, which remain a benchmark for the most advanced R&D teams worldwide. Key elements include full autonomy of the project manager, small and highly skilled engineering teams, minimizing administrative procedures, rapid prototyping, and operating independently from political influences — often present in state-owned companies and research institutions in Poland. This approach enables high efficiency and dynamic development.

The company adopts a pragmatic approach, focusing on solving real technological problems. Its solutions are intended to be cost-effective, scalable, and easy to implement, aligning with current trends — for example, in the Ukrainian defence industry, where rapid prototyping and iterative development play a crucial role.

An important part of the company’s technological base is access to the infrastructure of the Aviation Research Centre of the Warsaw University of Technology, which includes an airfield and a testing ground for unmanned systems in Przasnysz. This enables advanced testing in conditions close to real-world environments.

“The establishment of NeuroNavi Systems fits into a broader trend of building technological competencies in the country, particularly in areas crucial for security and technological sovereignty,” says Prof. Adam Woźniak, Vice-Rector for Development at the Warsaw University of Technology. “The development of autonomous navigation systems resistant to interference and independent of satellite infrastructure is one of the foundations of modern defence systems. I am pleased that NeuroNavi Systems is another outcome of an efficiently operating system supporting academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer at our university.”

NeuroNavi Systems has been selected for the prestigious Akces NCBR MilTech program, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence. Participation in the programme opens up opportunities for further technological development and potential implementation in strategically important systems.