Inertial navigation system

An inertial navigation system (INS) is like a special kind of car GPS system. But instead of using signals from satellites like with a regular GPS, an INS uses sensors and special gyroscopes to measure forces like acceleration and rotation. The INS measures these forces and stores them in its memory. Together, these forces tell it where it is in its environment. So, instead satellites telling it where to go, the INS can just remember where it’s been and uses that to figure out where it needs to go next. That way, you don’t need any signals from outside your vehicle.