Final answer:
An inertial navigation system (INS) uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to calculate an object's position, velocity, and orientation based on the principle of inertia.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inertial navigation system (INS) is a navigation system that uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to calculate an object's position, velocity, and orientation based on the principle of inertia. The accelerometers measure the linear acceleration of the object, allowing the system to calculate changes in velocity. The gyroscopes measure the object's angular velocity, enabling the system to calculate changes in orientation. By integrating the acceleration and angular velocity data over time, the INS can continuously update the object's position and orientation in real-time, even without external references like GPS or landmarks.