What Cambridge Mechatronics does

Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd. (CML) is a UK-headquartered engineering company that develops and licenses Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator technology, a platform built around nickel-titanium alloy wire thinner than a human hair that contracts with heat to deliver precise mechanical motion. Founded in 2008 (with firmographic sources citing 1995) and operating from Cambridge Science Park, CML designs complete actuator systems — including the SMA Module Tilt OIS, SMA Lens Shift AF+OIS, SMA Lens Shift OIS, SMA Sensor Shift OIS, and SMA Variable Aperture — paired with its proprietary CM824 8-channel driver IC. The firm claims over 800 patents granted and pending across 200+ patent families, and its technology has shipped in more than 80 million devices including flagship smartphones from Huawei, HONOR, Xiaomi, TECNO, and Meizu.

CML monetises its SMA platform through a hybrid model combining licensing and royalty income on its patent portfolio, engineering service fees for technology transfer and production support, per-unit royalties on licensee-manufactured actuators, and direct sales of its CM824 controller IC under a fabless semiconductor approach. The company goes to market via direct enterprise engagement with top-tier smartphone OEMs for design-in and mass-production support, supplemented by licensing arrangements with manufacturers such as Alps Alpine and SMA-Tech for actuator and haptic production. It also pursues emerging verticals including AR/VR/XR varifocal and autofocus systems, medical wearables such as insulin patch pumps, and localised haptic feedback for gaming and automotive applications.

The firm employs approximately 140 people across offices in Cambridge (HQ), Copenhagen, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, with a 13-person dedicated engineering team supporting the China market. In April 2025 Dylan Kelly, formerly President and COO of Resonant Inc., was appointed President and CEO, reinforcing the company's semiconductor scaling strategy. A February 2024 funding round of over $40 million (£32 million), led by Atlantic Bridge with Intel Capital, Sony Innovation Fund, and Supernova, is being deployed to accelerate SMA motor and driver chip expansion into healthcare, entertainment, and other industries beyond smartphone imaging.

Name

Cambridge Mechatronics

Legal name

Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd.

Website

https://cambridgemechatronics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cambridge Mechatronics (CML) is a UK-based engineering company that develops Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator platforms and proprietary driver ICs for smartphone cameras, AR/VR, haptics, and medical devices. The firm licenses its 800+ patent portfolio and sells CM824 silicon to consumer electronics manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Actuators and Driver ICs

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Motor Control & Driver ICs (Gate Drivers/BLDC Drivers) (HDAHAIAH)

Keywords

• Shape memory alloy actuators
• Optical image stabilization
• Miniature precision motors
• Camera autofocus actuators
• Driver integrated circuits

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Licensing Fees: CML licenses its SMA platform technology to manufacturers in return for licensing fees. The extensive patent portfolio of around 700-800 patents issued and pending worldwide forms the basis for licensing arrangements.
2. Engineering Fees: CML provides engineering services including technology development, transfer and production support to accelerate commercialisation of SMA-based technology. Programs are collaborative and tailored to individual customer requirements.
3. Product Sales Royalties: Royalties from product sales where CML's SMA actuators are integrated into end devices. Solutions produced and deployed by renowned manufacturers under license, generating recurring royalty revenue.
4. Semiconductor/Controller IC Sales: CML sells its own silicon controller ICs (CM824) which embed proprietary SMA control algorithms. Transition to fabless semiconductor model with millions of units shipped. Revenue from chip sales as part of total system solutions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cambridge Mechatronics (CML) develops, licenses, and sells Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator platform technology and complementary driver ICs. Their products include SMA-based actuators for smartphone camera autofocus (AF), optical image stabilization (OIS), variable aperture, sensor shift OIS, and module tilt OIS, along with the CM824 8-channel driver IC. CML licenses its technology to global manufacturers and supplies complete system solutions to top-tier smartphone brands such as Huawei, HONOR, and Xiaomi.

Product overview

Cambridge Mechatronics (CML) offers a patented Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) platform technology for compact actuator solutions. The product portfolio consists of SMA-based actuators (Module Tilt OIS, Lens Shift AF+OIS, Lens Shift OIS, Sensor Shift OIS, and Variable Aperture) complemented by the CM824 Driver IC. These products work together as a complete actuator system: the SMA actuators provide precision mechanical movement while the CM824 controller IC delivers optimized electronic control with embedded proprietary algorithms. CML licenses its SMA platform technology including actuator designs, driver ICs, and firmware to global manufacturers for integration into smartphones and other consumer devices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMA Module Tilt OIS Miniature gimbal-style optical image stabilization system that moves a standalone camera module with lens and image sensor fixed in position relative to each other, providing superior uniform shake correction up to ±3 degrees for cinematic video quality. Designed for smartphone camera manufacturers.
• SMA Lens Shift AF+OIS Integrated 8-wire actuator providing both Autofocus (AF) and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) in a single actuator using SMA wire in a 3D configuration. Designed for premium camera performance in mid to high-range handsets with 37% fewer components than traditional VCM.
• SMA Lens Shift OIS Ultra-slim 4-wire OIS actuator using SMA wire as thin as human hair for precise lens movement compensation. Compatible with image sensor formats from 1/2.0 inch to 1/1.3 inch. Mature technology shipped in 10s of millions of products worldwide.
• SMA Sensor Shift OIS 3-axis OIS actuator that moves the image sensor in X and Y directions while also compensating for roll, providing 5-axis shake compensation. Uses 4 SMA wires of 25um diameter in square configuration around the image sensor.
• SMA Variable Aperture Energy-efficient variable aperture solution using Zero Hold Power (ZHP) technology that maintains aperture position without continuous power draw. Non-magnetic and lightweight compared to VCM alternatives, offering continuous range of aperture sizes for depth of field control.
• CM824 Driver IC Next-generation 8-channel driver IC providing dedicated control for SMA actuators with optimized hardware IP blocks supporting latest control firmware features. Enables fastest focusing speeds and highest accurate position control for AF and OIS applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• SMA provides 10x the thrust density compared to VCM, effectively counteracting external impacts and ensuring proper AF and OIS operation under strong vibration
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• SMA-TechcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 May 2023CML licensed its haptics technology to SMA-Tech for manufacturing of haptic actuators.
• Fluid-o-TechstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Strategic collaboration announced in 2022 with first product release - Precision Flow 10 proportionally controlled SMA microvalve for fluidic applications including medical devices.
• Alps AlpinecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAlps Alpine is a licensed manufacturer of CML's SMA actuators. They began mass production of SMA actuators and are part of CML's supply chain.
• GalaxyCorestrategicTechnology or IntegrationGalaxyCore announced sensor shift optical image stabilisation technology using CML's SMA technology. Partnership for OIS solutions.
• Liaoning Zhonglan Electronic Technology (ZET)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZET is a core supplier and strategic partner in China. CML has received Excellent Partner Award and Special Contribution Award from ZET.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TDK (InvenSense): TDK's InvenSense division is a leading supplier of MEMS motion sensors and actuators used in smartphone cameras (OIS/AF), directly competing with CML's SMA actuators for the same design slots and serving the same tier-1 OEM customers. TDK operates at vastly greater scale with a broad electronic components portfolio.
• Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments is a major supplier of motor driver and motion control ICs across industrial and consumer markets, including products that overlap with CML's CM824 in the broader precision motion controller category. Comparable in fabless semiconductor model and global OEM sales reach, though TI's portfolio spans far beyond actuators.
• Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Sony Semiconductor Solutions is the dominant smartphone image sensor supplier and a strategic investor in CML (Sony Innovation Fund participated in the $40M round). Compares as a customer and ecosystem partner; Sony's image sensors and CML's SMA actuators are designed into the same flagship camera modules.

Direct peers

• Minebea Mitsumi: Minebea Mitsumi is one of the largest manufacturers of Voice Coil Motors (VCM) and miniature actuators for smartphone camera AF/OIS, the incumbent technology CML's SMA platform seeks to displace. Comparable in serving flagship OEMs and competing on actuator precision and form factor.
• Alps Alpine: Alps Alpine is a licensed manufacturer of CML's SMA actuators and also an established supplier of camera actuators, switches, and electronic components into the same smartphone OEMs. Although a licensee, Alps Alpine is simultaneously a potential competitor as a broad miniature actuator supplier.
• onsemi (ON Semiconductor): onsemi is a leading supplier of AF/OIS driver ICs for smartphone camera modules, directly competing with CML's CM824 controller IC for the same design sockets. Comparable fabless-to-IDM semiconductor model serving the same tier-1 smartphone customers with overlapping reference designs.
• STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics manufactures MEMS actuators and motion-driver ICs for smartphone camera OIS/AF, including Flyback Controller and OIS driver products that overlap directly with CML's CM824 in target customer base. Comparable in fabless/IDM hybrid supply model and global smartphone OEM relationships.
• Samsung Electro-Mechanics: Samsung Electro-Mechanics manufactures camera modules, OIS actuators, and supporting driver ICs for Samsung Galaxy and other smartphone OEMs, directly competing with CML's SMA actuators for flagship camera design slots. Comparable as an integrated module maker with vertical control over actuator and electronics production.

Emerging players

• New Scale Technologies: New Scale Technologies develops miniature piezoelectric and shape-memory alloy actuators for embedded camera autofocus and other precision motion applications, making it a direct technology analog to CML's SMA platform in miniature actuator form factor. Comparable in targeting camera module, medical, and IoT use cases with sub-centimeter motion stages.
• Physik Instrumente (PI): PI develops high-precision piezoelectric and motion control actuators for industrial, semiconductor, and photonics applications, sharing the precision motion control DNA with CML's SMA platform. Comparable in targeting sub-micron positioning accuracy and miniaturized actuator designs, though focused on industrial rather than consumer markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CambridgeMech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-mechatronics-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Mechatronics