A solar-powered racing vehicle equipped with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and an inertial navigation system (INS).

The Innoptus Solar Team chose to install Septentrio's Asterx-i3 D pro+ inertial receiver on its solar-powered race car, primarily because the device offers multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS positioning capability, enabling precise positioning at the centimetre level. This is critical to the performance of solar-powered race cars on the track, as precise positioning helps teams optimise route strategies, reduce energy consumption and improve race performance. In addition, the receiver's internal IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) provides sub-degree level heading, pitch and roll angle measurements, which are equally important for the car's stability and energy management during dynamic driving. Furthermore, the low power consumption and light weight of the Asterx-i3 D pro+ help to optimise the energy efficiency and overall performance of the solar race car.

Septentrio is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-precision GPS/GNSS receivers for demanding applications that require decimetre or centimetre accuracy, even under difficult conditions. Septentrio provides positioning solutions for applications such as robotics, construction, surveying and mapping, science, reference station networks, maritime, logistics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The AsteRx SBi3 Pro+ is a high-performance GNSS/INS receiver from Septentrio that delivers reliable centimetre-level positioning as well as 3D azimuths in challenging environments. The receiver's built-in inertial sensors provide azimuth (heading, pitch and roll) and heading derivation, making it the perfect solution for systems that require positioning in any condition, and the AsteRx SBi3 Pro+'s design makes it ideal for quick integration into machine control or ground robotics applications, and its intuitive web-based user interface is easy to operate and monitor, allowing you to monitor and control the receiver from any mobile device. The AsteRx SBi3 Pro+ allows you to control the receiver from any mobile device or computer. In addition, the AsteRx SBi3 Pro+ features AIM+'s unique jamming monitoring and anti-jamming system, as well as other advanced GNSS+ algorithms, ensuring highly accurate positioning and bearing information in a variety of environments.

The optimisation of energy efficiency is crucial in the design and racing of solar powered race cars, and the Innoptus team, through the use of advanced technology and equipment such as the Septentrio GNSS/INS receivers, is able to monitor and adjust the car's performance in real time to suit different track conditions and environmental factors. This attention to detail and technological innovation is one of the key factors in the success of solar powered race cars in competition. Through precise positioning and attitude measurements, the team is able to better understand and optimise the energy inputs and outputs of the car, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.

In addition, the design and optimisation of solar cars is not limited to software and hardware improvements, but also includes innovations in the structure and components of the cars. For example, the ‘fin’ design of the solar car not only helps to improve the aerodynamic performance of the car, but also provides additional stability and power when needed. This innovative design and application, combined with precise measurements and data analysis, allows the solar car to maintain optimal performance in all conditions.

Overall, the Innoptus Solar Team installed Septentrio's Asterx-i3 D pro+ inertial receiver on the solar race car to improve the car's positioning accuracy, attitude control and energy efficiency, all key factors in the solar race car's ability to excel in competition. By integrating and optimising these technologies, the team is better able to meet the challenges of the race, achieving greater speed and energy efficiency.