Calian VENTURES and Tessellate Robotics Advance Autonomous Navigation for Arctic Defence

Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY) and Tessellate Robotics, a Quebec-based leader in rugged autonomous navigation systems, today announced a new collaboration under Calian VENTURES to integrate, test and scale next-generation autonomous navigation technologies for defence operations in complex environments, including Canada’s Arctic.

Through this collaboration, Calian will integrate its precision GNSS antennas, positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technologies and robotic software with Tessellate’s advanced navigation and inspection technologies to create a hybrid, defence-ready autonomous capability designed to operate where traditional satellite-based navigation systems are degraded, unreliable or denied.

The partnership includes joint validation efforts intended to accelerate Tessellate’s growth and speed to market while strengthening Canadian sovereign capability in autonomous systems.

“Canada’s North presents some of the most demanding navigation challenges in the world and operating in Arctic conditions requires more than autonomy alone,” said Dominic Baril, CEO, Tessellate Robotics. “By working with the right partners, like Calian and leveraging VENTURES, we can combine deep technical expertise and complementary capabilities to rigorously test, validate and ultimately deliver cutting-edge autonomous navigation systems for terrestrial and aerial platforms—supporting Canada and NATO’s defence priorities and interoperability.”

As a first step, the companies are conducting joint validation and field testing immediately, with the first operational deployment of the integrated system scheduled this March during Operation Nanook in the Arctic. This environment—characterized by low satellite geometry, harsh terrain and extreme weather—provides one of the most demanding testbeds in the world for resilient navigation technologies.

As Chris Pogue, President, Defence & Space, Calian Group, noted, assured navigation in contested environments is no longer optional. “As Canada strengthens its Arctic presence and advances NORAD modernization, assured navigation in GPS-denied environments is becoming a strategic requirement,” he said. “Through Calian VENTURES, we are partnering with high-potential Canadian innovators like Tessellate to accelerate the development of sovereign, deployable capability. Together, we are delivering autonomous systems that operate reliably in the North today and evolve to meet tomorrow’s defence demands.”

Assured Autonomy for the North
As Canada reinforces its northern sovereignty and advances NORAD modernization under its recently released Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), assured PNT capabilities have become a strategic imperative. Modern defence operations increasingly depend on autonomous systems that can operate in contested and GPS-degraded environments—particularly in the Arctic, where extreme conditions and limited satellite coverage make resilient navigation mission critical.

By combining Tessellate’s high-performance GPS-denied navigation with Calian’s advanced GNSS and resilient PNT capabilities, the collaboration delivers:

• Assured Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments: Reliable autonomous operation when satellite signals are disrupted, jammed or unavailable.
• Arctic-Ready Performance: Systems validated for harsh, low-visibility and winter conditions unique to Canada’s North.
• C5ISRT-Aligned Integration: Autonomous navigation capability designed to integrate with modern command, control and digital defence architectures.
• Dual-Use Flexibility: Technology applicable across defence, energy, mining and critical infrastructure sectors.

Together, Calian and Tessellate are advancing deployable autonomy that enhances situational awareness, operational reach and resilience in strategically vital environments.