“ERTICO’s comprehensive roadmap defines a future where vehicles communicate with each other, the roads they drive on and other infrastructure – but also highlights the fundamental need for ubiquitous, precise, and reliable positioning, navigation, and timing information – PNT. This is the very focus of ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme, NAVISP, so the potential for synergy is evident and enormous.”

Involving many of the engineers who oversaw the development of Europe’s Galileo satnav system, NAVISP is looking into all kinds of clever ideas about the future of navigation: ways to improve satellite navigation, alternative positioning systems and new navigation services and applications. The programme is divided between a trio of elements: NAVISP Element 1 supports innovation in PNT, with Element 2 focusing on industrial competitiveness, including novel technologies and services and Element 3 devoted to supporting participating Member State priorities, such as developing national PNT test areas.