gyroscope

The units were tested against a high-end inertial navigation system—which estimates position by using gyroscopes and accelerometers.

"Using quantum clocks, gyroscopes and magnetometers enables us to create a resilience against jamming and spoofing of our vital navigational systems."

Rare-earth elements are mostly used to make high-powered magnets — those needed to manufacture a gyroscope for a fighter jet, for example.

Quantum clocks, gyroscopes and accelerometers are large, bulky and incredibly expensive, with an accurate quantum clock costing around £100,000.

The study, titled "City bus seat vibration analysis using 6-axis accelerometer and gyroscope sensors," was recently published in leading science journal, Nature.