Introducing Local Navigation Systems: MetriCal's Latest Modality

We held a weekly webinar that demonstrates LNS in action. Watch that here (link).

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In environments where GPS signals fade away, precise positioning becomes a critical challenge. Today, we're excited to announce that MetriCal now supports calibration of Local Navigation Systems (LNS), extending our industry-leading calibration platform to tackle odometry alignment with the rest of MetriCal's sensor modalities. Supporting this modality has been one of the oldest MetriCal requests; we're proud to fulfill it today.

What Are Local Navigation Systems?

Unlike GPS, which relies on satellite signals, LNS uses odometry data (precise measurements of position and orientation changes over time) to provide accurate localization indoors and in other GPS-denied scenarios.

Think of LNS as your system's internal compass and measuring tape combined. By tracking incremental movements and rotations, these systems build a detailed understanding of where they are and where they've been; this makes them essential for applications like:

• Autonomous warehouse robots - navigating complex facility layouts

• Manufacturing automation - requiring precise positioning on production lines

• Underground mining operations - where GPS is simply unavailable

• Indoor inspection drones - mapping building interiors

• Agricultural machinery - operating in covered facilities

Even the most sophisticated local navigation system is only as good as its calibration. When LNS sensors work alongside cameras, LiDAR, and other perception hardware, precise calibration ensures that all sensors speak the same spatial language. MetriCal's LNS calibration solves these challenges by providing the same sub-millimeter accuracy that has made our platform the trusted choice for thousands of deployed systems.

How MetriCal Handles LNS Calibration

Our approach to LNS calibration leverages MetriCal's proven methodology while addressing the unique challenges of odometry-based positioning.

Camera-Centric Approach

MetriCal's LNS calibration requires at least one camera in the sensor suite. By comparing the world pose of the camera between frames with the interpolated motion from the local navigation system, we establish precise spatial relationships; this ensures perfect sensor alignment across your entire perception stack.

Motion-Driven Precision

LNS calibration is fundamentally data-driven. The system needs to observe motion across as many degrees of freedom as possible: translation along X, Y, and Z axes, plus rotation around each axis. This "excitation" allows MetriCal to distinguish true motion signals from sensor noise and bias; the result is calibrations you can trust in the most demanding applications.

Data Intake

MetriCal currently supports LNS data primarily through the MCAP format:

If you have odometry data that doesn't fit these message types, let us know what you need by sending a quick note to info@tangramvison.com

Getting Started with LNS Calibration

Adding LNS calibration to your MetriCal workflow is straightforward. The process follows our familiar pattern:

1. Data Collection: Capture synchronized data from your LNS and camera systems

2. System Configuration: Use MetriCal's initialization tools to identify LNS topics

3. Calibration Execution: Run the calibration process to generate precise extrinsic parameters

4. Results Analysis: Review comprehensive reports and metrics to validate calibration quality

For teams already using MetriCal, integrating LNS calibration requires minimal learning curve; the same intuitive interface and proven workflows you know extend seamlessly to this new modality.

Download demo data along with a full walkthrough by visiting our calibration guide on LNS: https://docs.tangramvision.com/metrical/calibration_guides/local_navigation_cal

You can also watch us demonstrate MetriCal processing of an LNS dataset in this webinar:

Calibration Keeps Getting Easier

As autonomous systems move into increasingly complex environments, the ability to operate precisely without GPS becomes mission-critical. MetriCal's LNS support represents our commitment to providing comprehensive calibration solutions that evolve with the needs of the robotics and autonomous systems industry.

Whether you're deploying warehouse automation, developing next-generation agricultural machinery, or building inspection systems for GPS-denied environments, MetriCal's LNS calibration ensures your sensors work together with the precision your applications demand. Try it for yourself today!