Quantum 'compass' promises navigation without using GPS

[Kent Sharkey]

Engadget[^]:

GPS is vital to modern navigation, but it's extremely fragile. Never mind coverage -- if a satellite fails or there's a jamming attack, it quickly becomes useless

It just points to the nearest cat (that's already in a box)

[Joe Woodbury]

Because accelerometers aren't at all fragile.

[MadMyche]

Back then, scientists realized that when you trap a cloud of atoms in a vacuum with lasers, it can be cooled to just above absolute zero

If you place atoms into a vacuum, wouldn't it no longer be a vacuum?

The group will test a prototype of the device, which is about the size of shoebox, on land in a stripped-down form in September of 2015. If those trials are successful, we could eventually see the technology used in future vehicles, planes and even smartphones.

Let me guess.... it works so long as you don't flood the area with helium

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Director of Transmogrification Services Shinobi of Query Language Master of Yoda Conditional

[Charlie brown 711]

that device cannot fit into my phone :laugh: