I. What Are Non-GPS Drones?

Most modern drones rely on the Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation and hovering. While GPS-enabled drones are safe, accurate, and reliable, they perform poorly in environments lacking GPS signals—such as indoor spaces.

Non-GPS drones overcome this limitation by being sensor-dependent rather than GPS-dependent for navigation and orientation. Unlike consumer-grade drones, which use GPS to position themselves in 3D space and maintain stable flight, non-GPS drones avoid performance degradation or instability even in “GPS-denied environments” (where GPS connection is unavailable or signal strength is too weak).

Additionally, in scenarios like operations on sensitive infrastructure, GPS poses security risks due to its need for internet connectivity— a problem non-GPS drones eliminate. As drones grow in popularity for professional use, demand for GPS-free flight capabilities continues to rise. Almost every industry that uses drones for inspection can benefit from non-GPS models, as they operate effectively in enclosed spaces to collect inspection data. The top industries to benefit include mining, oil and gas, power generation, sewage/wastewater infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals.

II. How Do Drones Fly Without GPS?

Non-GPS drones rely on a suite of high-tech sensors to operate stably:

Onboard Visual-Only Sensors: Sensors like RoboBaton-viobot2 act as the drone’s “eyes,” providing real-time reference data (e.g., altitude, attitude, position) throughout the flight. This allows the drone to hover and fly as if it had a GPS signal.

Onboard LiDAR Sensors: When combined with SLAM technology (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), LiDAR sensors provide the drone with real-time spatial positioning. This not only maintains flight stability but also enables the drone to create 3D maps of its surroundings while in flight.

III. When Are Non-GPS Drones Needed?

Operating drones in GPS-denied environments is not a new concept. Early consumer-grade drones often lacked GPS modules; due to technical limitations and the absence of GPS assistance, they were difficult to operate and prone to crashes. Today, many autonomous drones also support switching to non-GPS mode. It’s worth noting that most pilots lack training in operating drones without GPS or sensor assistance. However, the sensing capabilities of non-GPS drones excel precisely in complex environments where signals are lost. Below are their key application scenarios:

• Maritime Inspections
  • Inspecting cargo holds and ballast fuel tanks was once a dangerous, time-consuming task. Drones have made these operations faster, more cost-effective, and less risky. Located deep within ships, these tanks are surrounded by large amounts of metal—material that disrupts GPS signals for standard drones. Non-GPS drones, however, handle these enclosed metal environments with ease.
• Critical Infrastructure Operations
  • Government agencies prefer non-GPS drones for work on critical infrastructure (e.g., nuclear power plants). This choice is driven by safety concerns, as non-GPS models avoid the potential security risks associated with GPS.
• Search and Rescue (SAR)
  • When flying over dense forests, tree canopies and terrain easily interfere with or block drone signals, leading to unstable GPS connections or even loss of control. In SAR scenarios, GPS denial can quickly become a life-or-death issue. Non-GPS drones eliminate worries about connection failures, allowing operators to focus entirely on locating and rescuing those in need.
• Post-Disaster Site Surveys
  • After a disaster, large piles of debris (e.g., construction waste) severely disrupt GPS signals. Drones not designed for GPS-free navigation struggle to search through such debris. Non-GPS drones, by contrast, use sensors to “create a virtual GPS signal” for themselves. This ensures they stay on course while navigating debris and rough terrain, enabling efficient victim search.

IV. Benefits of Using Non-GPS Drones

The core advantages of non-GPS drones lie in three key areas: environmental adaptability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Specific benefits include:

All-Environment Compatibility: No reliance on GPS means stable operation in any scenario—including indoor spaces, enclosed areas, and metal-rich environments.

Indispensable for SAR: In challenging terrain (e.g., forests, debris) and harsh weather, they avoid signal issues and improve SAR success rates.

Enhanced Personnel Safety: Remote visual data collection keeps workers away from high-risk scenarios (e.g., elevated areas, heavy equipment, hazardous environments).

High-Quality Data Capture: Advanced sensors capture higher-resolution images and videos compared to traditional ground-based sensing technologies.

Cost and Efficiency Gains: Drone inspections require fewer personnel and resources, significantly reducing expenses. They also save time, enabling more frequent inspections.