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The Print
a day ago
- Science
- The Print
Quantum startup QuBeats wins Rs 25 crore govt grant to build GPS-free navigation for Indian Navy
In an era dominated by satellite-based navigation like GPS, the risk of signal denial in the form of jamming and spoofing, particularly in contested military zones, has spurred global investment in alternative technologies. Quantum navigation uses principles of quantum mechanics to develop systems that are entirely self-reliant, needing no external satellite inputs. According to a press release issued by the start-up, the award will fund the development of high-precision quantum sensors that enable accurate navigation in environments where GPS is jammed, denied or spoofed—a critical capability for modern military operations. New Delhi: Quantum deep-tech startup QuBeats, one of India's first focused on quantum sensing, has won the ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge to develop an indigenous Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy, securing a government grant worth Rs 25 crore. This system will enable naval ships and submarines to navigate accurately even in areas where GPS is unavailable or vulnerable to deception. Founded by a team of Indian researchers from global institutions in 2023, QuBeats is led by Mallikarjun Karra, a PhD candidate at the Max Planck Society; Madhu Talluri, a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab; Shouvik Mukherjee, a postdoc at the Joint Quantum Institute (University of Maryland); and Rajat Sethi, a graduate of MIT, Harvard and IIT Kharagpur who has also served as a political adviser to three chief ministers. At the centre of the start-up's work is the development of a 'quantum magnetometer', an advanced sensor that detects subtle changes in the Earth's magnetic field. Since these magnetic patterns differ from place to place, accurately sensing them can help navigate by using the Earth itself as a natural map. 'GPS denial is a real and growing threat, especially in contested zones,' Mallikarjun Karra, one of the founders, told ThePrint. 'But the Earth itself offers a solution. It acts like a giant magnet and its magnetic waves can be used for positioning. Quantum sensors allow us to navigate using these natural signatures with unmatched precision, even when GPS is unavailable.' The release by the company added that the quantum navigation suite under development includes not just magnetometers, but also quantum gyroscopes, miniature atomic clocks, Rydberg radars and ultra-sensitive detection sensors. These technologies are intended for a range of strategic military applications such as undersea warfare, long-range missile guidance and communication in contested environments. The release further said that these technologies have potential civilian applications as well, including deep-sea exploration, autonomous vehicles, and space navigation. 'The global market for such quantum systems is estimated to be around USD 10 billion,' the company said, adding that it is currently raising a seed funding round to accelerate its product development roadmap. Where India stands in the global quantum race Globally, major powers are already investing heavily in quantum navigation and sensing. China has reportedly integrated quantum magnetometers into its naval operations to enhance submarine detection capabilities. State-owned enterprises like CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) and research arms of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have been working on quantum sensors that can penetrate stealth technology by detecting minute magnetic field changes underwater. In the United States, DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and major defence contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Honeywell Aerospace are investing heavily in chip-scale atomic clocks, quantum accelerometers and gravity-based sensors, all aimed at enhancing battlefield navigation without GPS reliance. Further, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence is also collaborating with BAE Systems and the UK Quantum Technology Hub on developing quantum inertial sensors for GPS-denied environments, particularly in maritime scenarios. India, meanwhile, has also been gradually stepping up efforts in the quantum domain. Last month, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) opened its first Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in Delhi, a facility set to boost research and development in quantum computing, sensing and communication for defence applications. As per a statement by the Defence Ministry, 'The QTRC is expected to act as a national hub for defence-oriented quantum research, with collaborations expected from both the public and private sectors'. The QuBeats grant is part of the Ministry of Defence's broader ADITI (Aatmanirbhar Defence Technology Initiative) 2.0 programme, launched in October last year. This initiative includes 19 challenges from the Armed Forces covering areas such as AI, quantum tech, military communication, anti-drone systems and adaptive camouflage. The winners receive funding up to Rs 25 crore through the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) platform. 'Winning the ADITI 2.0 Challenge is not just a validation of our unique technology approach, but a clarion call to India's quantum aspirations. QuBeats is here to build the future—and build it from India,' said the founders in a joint statement. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: IAF aircraft flying into earthquake-hit Myanmar faced GPS spoofing. How it is different from jamming
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
QuBeats bags Rs 25 crore defence grant to build quantum navigation for Indian Navy
QuBeats, a deep-tech startup working on quantum sensing, has received a Rs 25 crore grant after winning the ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge. The startup will use the money to build a Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy. This system will help naval ships and submarines navigate even in places where GPS does not work or can be many defence operations, satellite-based navigation systems like GPS can be jammed or tricked by enemies. QuBeats is working on a solution that does not rely on satellites at all. Its system uses quantum magnetometers, which can pick up tiny changes in the Earth's magnetic field. These changes are unique to every location and help in knowing where one is, just like a digital map, but without new system is useful not just for defence but also for civilian use. It can be used in deep sea exploration, underground mining, and disaster zones where regular signals don't reach. The total global market for such technology is estimated to be around USD 10 billion. QuBeats is also looking to raise more funds from private investors to speed up its by a team of Indian researchers with strong international backgrounds, QuBeats is one of the few companies in India working in the field of quantum sensing. The team includes Mallikarjun Karra, a PhD candidate at Max Planck Society; Madhu Talluri, a researcher who worked at Lawrence Berkeley Lab; Shouvik Mukherjee, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Maryland; and Rajat Sethi, who studied at MIT, Harvard, and IIT is not just building navigation tools. The startup is also working on other products using quantum science. These include gyroscopes, tiny atomic clocks, sensors that can detect targets at great distances, and even radar systems based on Rydberg atoms—a field that is still new in India.'Winning the ADITI 2.0 Challenge is not just a validation of our technology, but a signal that India is ready for the quantum age,' the founders of QuBeats said in a joint Reel advertisement
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
QuBeats wins Defence Ministry's iDEX ADITI 2.0 grant of Rs 25 crore to build Quantum Navigation Systems for Indian Navy
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Indian quantum deeptech startup QuBeats has won the prestigious ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge to develop an indigenous Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy. The award, which comes with a grant of Rs 25 crore (USD 3 million), will enable QuBeats to build next-generation high-precision quantum sensors that promise accurate navigation in GPS-denied or spoofed environments - a critical capability for modern military operations. QuBeats said in a release that it is disrupting conventional paradigms with its innovative quantum magnetometer technology in an era heavily dependent on satellite-based navigation like GPS. 'These high-precision sensors detect the Earth's unique magnetic anomaly signatures, enabling navigation that is entirely independent of GPS systems--reliable by day or night, in any condition. This groundbreaking capability offers transformative benefits across both military and civilian domains, addressing a potential market of USD 10 billion. The startup is currently raising a seed round to accelerate its product research roadmap,' the release said. 'As one of the few quantum sensing companies of its kind in India, QuBeats is redefining the country's strategic technological edge,' it said. The release said the company has been founded by a stellar team of physicists, engineers, and defence technologists and is building a suite of quantum products that include Quantum Magnetometers, Quantum Gyroscopes, Miniature Atomic Clocks, Rydberg Radars, and highly sensitive target detection sensors for critical and strategic use cases. 'Winning the ADITI 2.0 Challenge is not just a validation of our unique technology approach, but a clarion call to India's quantum aspirations. QuBeats is here to build the future--and build it from India,' said the founders in a joint statement. The release said QuBeats is uniquely positioned with a first-mover advantage in India in an age where navigation sovereignty and sensor dominance define military superiority,. With foundational IP in quantum sensing, a strong R&D pipeline, and a global outlook, QuBeats aims to productize quantum sensing solutions for defence, aerospace, energy, and critical infrastructure. The founding team includes Mallikarjun Karra - a PhD candidate at Max Planck Society, Madhu Talluri -postdoc from Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Shouvik Mukherjee - a finishing postdoc at Joint Quantum Institute at Univ of Maryland, US and Rajat Sethi - a graduate of MIT, Harvard and IIT Kharagpur. The release said China and the United States are investing billions in quantum navigation and sensing. China's PLA has integrated quantum magnetometers for stealth submarine detection, while the US is advancing chip-scale quantum clocks and gravity sensors for battlefield resilience. It said QuBeats provides India a vital response to these developments. 'By creating indigenous, battle-ready, and globally competitive quantum systems, QuBeats is India's answer to strategic parity in quantum warfare,' the release said. QuBeats said it proud to lead India's charge 'with vision, innovation, and the indomitable spirit of first principles' as quantum becomes the new high ground in defence and aerospace. (ANI)
