IMSystems
IMSystems is a Dutch deep-tech company that develops the Archimedes Drive, a traction-based gear-free speed reducer delivering zero backlash, high efficiency, and overtorque protection for industrial robots, humanoids, and precision automation systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersDelft, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What IMSystems does
IMSystems (legal name: Innovative Mechatronic Systems B.V.) is a Dutch deep-tech hardware company founded in 2016 that develops and manufactures the Archimedes Drive, a traction-based speed reducer for advanced robotics and automation applications. Headquartered in Rijswijk, Netherlands — a short distance from TU Delft — the company employs 11-50 people and has spent 10+ years developing its core technology, which replaces traditional gear meshing with smooth rolling traction contact using flexrollers. This compound planetary traction design achieves true zero backlash, high torsional stiffness (less than 0.2-0.3 arcminutes of lost motion), up to 90% efficiency, input speeds up to 8,000 rpm, and inherent overtorque protection through controlled sliding regime transition, while operating at noise levels as low as 50 dBA.
The product portfolio spans multiple series targeting distinct use cases: the High Torque Density Series for humanoids and next-generation robots, the Endurance Series for harsh-environment outdoor and industrial robotics, the Synovial Series (including the Synovial-75 Component Set at 65mm diameter, 75Nm torque, and a Synovial-75 Development Kit) explicitly marketed for Physical A.I. robots, two Extreme Duty products (DELTA-15 at 15Nm and DELTA-250 at 250Nm), and fully custom drives developed through collaborative engineering engagement. Target customer segments include industrial robotics (articulated arms, SCARA, Delta, cobots, AGVs), humanoid robotics, medical devices (prosthetics, exoskeletons, surgical robots), machine tools and semiconductor equipment, agricultural robotics, haptic devices, and harsh-environment optical/surveillance systems.
IMSystems monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales of speed reducers and development kits, with a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise field sales for custom drives and volume orders (multi-year contracts) and self-serve website ordering for Synovial Development Kits aimed at innovators and integrators. The company has raised approximately $17.5M cumulatively across multiple rounds from 2016-2022, with investors including the European Innovation Council, ABB Ventures, Finindus, InnovationQuarter, Linamar, UNIIQ, and YES!Delft, and counts ABB, Linamar, TU Delft, Hankamp Gears, Wearable Robotics, and Robohouse among its strategic partners.
IMSystems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IMSystems
- Legal name
- Innovative Mechatronic Systems B.V.
- Website
- https://imsystems.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IMSystems is a Dutch deep-tech company that develops the Archimedes Drive, a traction-based gear-free speed reducer delivering zero backlash, high efficiency, and overtorque protection for industrial robots, humanoids, and precision automation systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IMSystems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Motion Control Components
- NAICS
- Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Motors & Generators (3621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gearmotors, Gearboxes & Speed Reducers (IMAGACAF)
Keywords
Where IMSystems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Delft
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IMSystems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Traction Drive Speed Reducers: IMSystems generates revenue through the sale of hardware speed reducers (Archimedes Drive / Synovial Series). The company offers standardized Development Kits for testing and Component Sets for integration, as well as custom-designed drives tailored to specific application requirements. Revenue is primarily one-time hardware sales with potential for follow-on component and replacement part revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Synovial-75 Development Kit - Ready-to-test development package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Synovial Component Sets - For custom integration |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom/Tailored Drives |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
IMSystems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IMSystems develops and manufactures the Archimedes Drive, a traction-based speed reducer that replaces traditional gears with smooth rolling contact to deliver true zero backlash, high torsional stiffness, and up to 90% efficiency. The company sells standardized component sets, development kits, and custom-engineered drives to robotics OEMs and automation integrators across industrial robotics, humanoid robotics, medical devices, and other precision motion applications.
Product overview
IMSystems offers the Archimedes Drive, a traction-based speed reducer technology that replaces traditional gears with smooth rolling contact. The product portfolio spans multiple series: the High Torque Density Series for next-generation robots and humanoids, the Endurance Series for harsh industrial environments, and the Synovial Series (including Synovial-75 Component Sets and Development Kits) designed specifically for Physical A.I. applications. The company also provides Custom Drives tailored to specific requirements and two Extreme Duty products (DELTA-15 and DELTA-250) targeting different torque specifications. All products share the core traction technology enabling true zero backlash, high stiffness, and high efficiency.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Archimedes Drive The flagship traction-based speed reducer that achieves true zero backlash, high torsional stiffness, and minimal lost motion through smooth rolling contact instead of gears. Designed for robotics OEMs, humanoid robot developers, and advanced automation integrators requiring precise, reliable motion control.
- Archimedes Drive High Torque Density Series
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero backlash achieved through continuous traction contact (vs. measurable play in gear-based systems)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use IMSystems
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
IMSystems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
IMSystems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ABBcoreABB, a global leader in industrial automation and robotics, is listed as a partner. ABB manufactures industrial robots and automation systems that could integrate the Archimedes Drive technology for enhanced precision performance.
- LinamarcoreLinamar Corporation, a leading manufacturing company specializing in precision components for transportation, industrial, and medical markets, is listed as a partner. Potential for collaboration on precision motion components.
- TU DelftcoreTechnical University of Delft is a strategic research partner. Located in proximity to IMSystems headquarters, TU Delft provides access to robotics research expertise and talent pipeline. The company is a short bike ride from the university campus.
- Wearable RoboticsminorWearable Robotics is a Dutch company developing wearable robotic devices. Potential application partner for exoskeleton and prosthetic applications using the Archimedes Drive.
- RobohouseminorRobohouse is a robotics innovation center in the Netherlands that serves as a hub for robotics research, testing, and collaboration. IMSystems participates in the robotics ecosystem through this partnership.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IMSystems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sumitomo Heavy Industries: Through its Hasegawa division, Sumitomo makes high-precision cycloidal and planetary reducers for robotics and machine tools. It is one of the established reducer OEMs IMSystems must displace in industrial robot joint designs.
- Wittenstein: German specialist in precision gearheads, planetary reducers, and servo actuators for robotics and machine tools. Comparable to IMSystems in targeting high-stiffness, low-backlash motion control for advanced automation.
- Harmonic Drive Systems: Japanese incumbent and global leader in harmonic-style precision speed reducers for robotics. IMSystems explicitly positions the Archimedes Drive as an alternative to Harmonic Drives, targeting the same zero-backlash, high-stiffness robotics joint use case with traction instead of flexsplines.
- Neugart: German precision planetary gearbox manufacturer serving robotics, AGVs, and factory automation. Competes with IMSystems for the same customer engineering teams designing robot and cobot joints.
- SPINEA: Slovak manufacturer of high-precision cycloidal reducers (TwinSpin) used in robotics, machine tools, and automation. Directly comparable to IMSystems on zero-backlash, high-torque-density joint actuators for robotics OEMs.
- Nabtesco Corporation: Nabtesco is a leading supplier of precision cycloidal reducers (RV reducers) widely used in industrial robot joints. It competes head-to-head with the Archimedes Drive for the same articulated robot, SCARA, and cobot joint sockets IMSystems targets.
- Alpha Gear Drives: Manufacturer of precision spiral bevel and helical gearboxes for robotics, automation, and machine tools. Comparable to IMSystems in delivering high-precision speed reducers for servo-driven robotic applications.
- Apex Dynamics: Taiwanese maker of precision planetary gearheads and servo gearboxes with global distribution. Overlaps with IMSystems in supplying low-backlash reducers for robotics, automation, and CNC machinery.
Broad incumbents
- Kollmorgen: Large motion control supplier offering motors, gearheads, and integrated servo systems. While broader than IMSystems, Kollmorgen sells precision gearing into many of the same robotics and automation customers.
Emerging players
- Cyclo Getriebebau: Specialist in cycloidal speed reducers with a heritage going back to the original Sumitomo design license. Competes with IMSystems' traction drives in compact, high-ratio reducer applications for automation and robotics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IMSystems social profiles
Digital presenceIMSystems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
IMSystems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IMSystems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
IMSystems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds10 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IMSystems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IMSystems
What does IMSystems do?
IMSystems develops and manufactures the Archimedes Drive, a traction-based speed reducer that replaces traditional gears with smooth rolling contact to deliver true zero backlash, high torsional stiffness, and up to 90% efficiency. The company sells standardized component sets, development kits, and custom-engineered drives to robotics OEMs and automation integrators across industrial robotics, humanoid robotics, medical devices, and other precision motion applications.
Is IMSystems a public or private company?
IMSystems is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was IMSystems founded?
IMSystems was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IMSystems based?
IMSystems is headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does IMSystems make money?
One revenue line is on record: traction Drive Speed Reducers.
Who are IMSystems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Wittenstein, Harmonic Drive Systems, Neugart, SPINEA, Nabtesco Corporation, Alpha Gear Drives and Apex Dynamics. Kollmorgen is listed as a broad incumbent. Cyclo Getriebebau is listed as an emerging player.
Does IMSystems have an API?
No public API is recorded for IMSystems.
What industry is IMSystems in?
IMSystems's product category is Precision Motion Control Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGACAF, Gearmotors, Gearboxes & Speed Reducers. Its NAICS code is 333612 and its SIC code is 3559.