What happens when GPS goes down: jammed, spoofed, or completely denied?

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier sits down with Michael Biercuk, founder and CEO of Q-CTRL, to explore one of the most surprising breakthroughs in quantum technology: quantum navigation.

While most of the quantum world is focused on computing, Q-CTRL is building something entirely different: AI-powered quantum sensing systems that can navigate aircraft, drones, and vehicles without GPS.

Even more surprising? This technology didn’t exist just over a year ago. Now it’s already shipping.

You’ll learn:

• How quantum sensors can “see” invisible features of the Earth

• Why magnetic and gravitational fields enable GPS-free navigation

• How this system achieves 100x better accuracy than current GPS alternatives

• Why it works in environments where other systems fail (clouds, water, darkness, interference)

• The role of AI software in stabilizing fragile quantum systems in real-world conditions

• What this means for aviation, defense, and the future of autonomous systems

This is a deep dive into a fast-moving frontier where quantum meets real-world deployment, and it’s happening faster than almost anyone expected.

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Guest:

• Michael Biercuk, Founder & CEO, Q-CTRL

• Company: Q-CTRL • Website: https://q-ctrl.com

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👉 Subscribe for more conversations on AI, quantum tech, and the future of innovation:

https://techfirst.substack.com

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⏱️ Chapters

0:00 Quantum Navigation vs Quantum Computing

0:34 Introduction to Michael Biercuk & Q-CTRL

1:12 What Is Quantum Navigation?

2:00 How Quantum Sensors Enable Navigation

2:52 Magnetometers vs Gravimeters Explained

3:28 Do You Need to Pre-Map the Earth?

4:18 Earth’s Magnetic Field & Why Maps Stay Accurate

5:18 GPS Spoofing & Why Quantum Nav Matters

6:00 Accuracy: 100x Better Than GPS Alternatives

7:00 Why Multi-Mode Navigation Is the Future

7:42 Limits of Star Cameras & Visual Navigation

8:38 The Vibration Problem in Quantum Systems

9:30 How Software Replaces Hardware Stabilization

10:28 System Size: From Sensor to Loaf of Bread

11:15 Cost, Use Cases & Drone Deployment

12:00 First Sales & Commercial Rollout

12:45 Market Size: Aviation & Drone Opportunity

13:20 Final Thoughts on Quantum Sensing

13:45 Speed of Innovation & Closingr