What dSPACE does

dSPACE Group SE & Co. KG, headquartered in Paderborn, Germany and founded in 1988, is a privately held provider of simulation and validation hardware and software for electronic control systems, with wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA, Japan, UK, France, and China. Its core technology spans an integrated tool chain from model-based development to series-production validation, anchored by the modular SCALEXIO real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform (including SCALEXIO Power HIL for high-voltage up to 1,250 V), the VEOS PC-based software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulator with cloud deployment, the AURELION physics-based sensor simulator for camera, LiDAR, and radar, and the Automotive Simulation Models (ASM) library for vehicles, batteries, fuel cells, and electric drives. Supporting products include SystemDesk (AUTOSAR architecture and V-ECU generation), TargetLink (production code generation from Simulink), ControlDesk, AutomationDesk, the open-source Test Automation SDK, ConfigurationDesk, SYNECT data management, and the SIMPHERA cloud platform; the toolchain is ISO 26262:2018 certified and integrates with MATLAB/Simulink, AUTOSAR Classic/Adaptive, FMI, QEMU, pytest, Robot Framework, and Jenkins.

dSPACE generates revenue through three streams: sale of hardware platforms (SCALEXIO HIL and Power HIL systems, with custom configuration-based pricing), software licenses and subscriptions (perpetual and release-cycle based, covering VEOS, ControlDesk, AutomationDesk, TargetLink, SYNECT, ASM, and others), and engineering and consulting services (custom adaptations, turn-key test bench delivery via system integration partners IABG, Enorise, and FEV, on-site resident engineering, plus published training courses priced at €850–€1,450 per person). Pricing for software is not publicly disclosed. The company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales supplemented by a global distributor network, targeting automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers as its primary segment, with additional verticals in aerospace, off-highway and industrial vehicles, and energy and power systems. Named customers include Stellantis, Honda, Continental, SANY Group, KATECH, JEE, Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Power System, and Avantest GmbH.

Name

dSPACE

Legal name

dSPACE Group SE & Co. KG

Website

https://dspace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Simulation and Validation

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling) (HDAHAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

EDA Software Platforms (Digital Implementation, Verification & Signoff) (HDAHAFAA), Test, Measurement & Calibration Equipment Manufacturing Services (ATE, DAQ, metrology electronics) (IMAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Automotive simulation software
• Embedded ECU validation
• Power electronics HIL
• Sensor simulation ADAS

Headquarters

HQ city

Wixom

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Simulation Hardware Sales: Sale of real-time hardware platforms including SCALEXIO systems, HIL simulators, and Power HIL test systems. Hardware products range from entry-level to large-scale laboratory configurations.
2. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Software products including VEOS, ControlDesk, AutomationDesk, ConfigurationDesk, SystemDesk, TargetLink, SYNECT, and ASM simulation models. Delivered as perpetual licenses or through regular release cycles.
3. Engineering and Consulting Services: Custom hardware and software adaptations, turn-key solutions, on-site resident engineering, and maintenance services. Provided globally through dSPACE group companies and project centers.
4. Training Services: Classroom training at dSPACE locations, on-site training, and virtual classroom training. Course fees range from €850 to €1,450 per person depending on course duration and content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

dSPACE develops, manufactures, and sells hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulation and validation platforms used by automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers to develop and validate electronic control units (ECUs) and embedded software. Core offerings include the SCALEXIO modular real-time hardware platform (including Power HIL high-voltage and low-voltage variants), the VEOS PC-based SIL simulation platform, the AURELION physics-based sensor simulation software, and a comprehensive tool suite for AUTOSAR architecture modeling (SystemDesk), production code generation (TargetLink), experiment and visualization (ControlDesk), and test automation (AutomationDesk, Test Automation SDK).

Product overview

dSPACE provides an integrated simulation and validation platform for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. The core hardware platform is SCALEXIO, a modular real-time system available as entry-level (SCALEXIO Essential), predefined, and customized configurations, supporting both standard HIL and Power HIL testing (High-Voltage up to 1,250V and Low-Voltage). The software portfolio centers on VEOS for PC-based SIL simulation, AURELION for sensor-realistic simulation, SystemDesk for AUTOSAR architecture and V-ECU generation, and TargetLink for production code generation from Simulink. Supporting tools include ControlDesk (experiment software), AutomationDesk and Test Automation SDK (test automation), ConfigurationDesk (hardware configuration), ModelDesk (parameterization), Bus Manager (bus setup), and SYNECT (data management). Automotive Simulation Models (ASM) provide vehicle, battery, fuel cell, and electric component simulation libraries. The cloud solution SIMPHERA enables scalable cloud-based simulation. Consulting and Engineering Services provide implementation support. The platform supports FMI standard, AUTOSAR (Classic and Adaptive), and integrates with testing frameworks like pytest and Robot Framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• mydSPACE: Internet portal for dSPACE customers providing access to additional product information, settings for newsletters, and contact data management.

Products and services

• SCALEXIO Modular and scalable real-time hardware platform for rapid control prototyping (RCP) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) applications, available in entry-level (SCALEXIO Essential), predefined, and customized configurations ranging from compact desktop units to large-scale laboratory systems. Sold to automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers for ECU and embedded software validation.
• SCALEXIO Power HIL – High-Voltage Modular hardware-in-the-loop system for validating power electronics devices in high-voltage applications up to 1,250 V, combining real-time simulation flexibility with testing under realistic, dynamic load conditions for validating inverters, converters, and high-voltage EV powertrains.
• SCALEXIO Power HIL – Low-Voltage Power HIL system for testing low-voltage applications including electric power steering (EPS) systems, starter and generator systems, two-wheelers, auxiliary drives, and mild hybrid drives.
• VEOS PC-based simulation platform for ECU software validation, enabling simulation of models, virtual ECUs (V-ECUs), bus systems, and vehicle models in early development phases without hardware. Supports cloud deployment via Docker and hybrid SIL-HIL simulation coupling for automotive and industrial customers.
• AURELION Software solution for sensor-realistic simulation that integrates realistic camera, LiDAR, and radar sensor data to test and validate perception and driving functions for ADAS and autonomous driving development.
• SystemDesk System architecture tool providing support for modeling AUTOSAR-compliant architectures and systems, with diagrams and editors, and generation of virtual ECUs (V-ECUs) for early validation.
• TargetLink Production code generation software that automatically generates code directly from Simulink/Stateflow models for ECUs, supporting series production software development for automotive and industrial customers.
• ControlDesk Experiment software for seamless ECU development, providing a single working environment that handles measurement, calibration, visualization, and diagnostics tasks across the development workflow.
• AutomationDesk Test authoring and automation tool for hardware-in-the-loop testing of ECUs, enabling development teams to create, execute, and manage automated HIL test sequences.
• Test Automation SDK Open-source Python-based SDK enabling development and validation teams to create and execute test cases entirely in Python for both SIL and HIL testing environments. Integrates with pytest and Robot Framework and supports AI-aided test authoring.
• ConfigurationDesk Implementation software for configuring dSPACE hardware and linking Simulink models to I/O configuration for real-time HIL applications.
• ModelDesk Software for parameterization and import/export of OpenDRIVE road files for vehicle and traffic simulation in HIL and SIL environments.
• Bus Manager Setup tool for LIN, CAN, CAN FD, and J1939 bus communication on different dSPACE platforms for simulation, inspection, and manipulation of automotive bus traffic.
• SYNECT Data management and workflow software with Jenkins add-on for automated job creation and management, and OpenID Connect integration with identity providers for collaborative development.
• ASM (Automotive Simulation Models) Real-time simulation models for automotive electric systems and drive simulation, including ASM Electric Components, ASM Battery, ASM Fuel Cell, ASM Vehicle and Traffic, and ASM Powertrain packages for HIL and SIL environments.
• XSG Electric Components Library FPGA-based simulation library for electric drive systems, providing high-speed motor and encoder models for HIL simulation of electric and hybrid powertrains.
• SIMPHERA Web-based and scalable cloud solution for simulation and validation, enabling distributed test execution and collaborative development workflows for automotive and industrial customers.
• dSPACE Consulting End-to-end consulting services providing expertise in functional safety (ISO 26262, SOTIF), test strategy development, and verification and validation in complex E/E development processes for automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers.
• dSPACE Engineering Services Custom hardware and software adaptations, turn-key solutions, and on-site resident engineering support delivered globally through dSPACE group companies and project centers for complex customer implementations.
• dSPACE Training Services Classroom training at dSPACE locations, on-site training at customer premises, and virtual classroom training on simulation and validation topics, with course fees ranging from €680 to €1,450 per attendee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Test effort reduction of over 90% through automated parameter variation in Power HIL testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Integration4 records

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BeamrcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Beamr and dSPACE jointly validated Beamr's Content-Adaptive Bitrate (CABR) compression technology within the dSPACE RTMaps ecosystem, achieving 31% file size reduction for autonomous vehicle footage while preserving ML model accuracy. The demonstration addresses AV fleet data management challenges by reducing infrastructure costs.
• SDVersecoreTechnology or Integration · 24 February 2026dSPACE joined SDVerse, the automotive industry's first B2B marketplace for software, making its portfolio of hardware- and software-in-the-loop simulation, sensor simulation, AI-supported test automation, and cloud-based validation solutions more discoverable to automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide.
• OMNIVISIONcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 January 2026dSPACE integrated OMNIVISION's image sensor models into its AURELION physics-based simulation platform for ADAS and autonomous driving testing. The collaboration enables developers to simulate camera behavior more accurately in virtual driving environments, reducing development cycles and costs.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025Stellantis and dSPACE signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to integrate dSPACE's VEOS simulation platform into Stellantis' Virtual Engineering Workbench, enabling cloud-based Software-in-the-Loop testing for faster vehicle development. The collaboration supports Stellantis' three AI-powered technology platforms—STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive—with 80-85% of testing on new platforms conducted virtually.
• IABGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerdSPACE and IABG collaborate in planning and implementing test facilities and test benches. The joint offer combines facility planning, hardware and software integration, and commissioning turn-key solutions with a focus on aerospace, energy, and defense. dSPACE provides turn-key power HIL test benches while IABG handles technical planning and laboratory integration.
• EnorisecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnorise, a global leader in automotive development services, and dSPACE collaborate to offer turn-key solutions for validation of automotive power electronics components. The joint offering combines Enorise tools with dSPACE power HIL test benches for flexible tests at full power level, including planning of large test centers.
• FEVcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFEV and dSPACE cooperate in worldwide integration of power HIL test benches, combining FEV's expertise in powertrain and drivetrain development with dSPACE's power HIL testing solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ETAS (Bosch): Bosch subsidiary providing automotive embedded software development tools and HIL test systems; directly competes with dSPACE in ECU calibration, prototyping, and validation workflows.
• IPG Automotive: German automotive simulation software vendor (CarMaker) competing directly with dSPACE in virtual test driving and SIL/HIL workflows; both serve OEM and Tier-1 validation teams with comparable modeling environments.
• AVL List GmbH: Austrian automotive powertrain and validation specialist with significant HIL, test bench, and simulation capabilities for electrified and conventional vehicles; comparable customer base and engineering services model.
• Vector Informatik: Privately held German provider of embedded automotive software tools (CANoe, vTESTstudio, VT System) targeting the same OEM/Tier-1 ECU development customer base with overlapping testing and validation capabilities.

Emerging players

• Cognata: Israeli ADAS/AV simulation platform offering synthetic data generation and virtual testing; identified in industry coverage as competing alongside dSPACE in the automotive simulation market with a narrower ADAS/AV focus.
• Applied Intuition: Silicon Valley-based autonomous vehicle simulation and infrastructure software company; partial overlap with dSPACE AURELION in ADAS/AD virtual validation but focuses on software-defined vehicle development workflows at OEMs and AV programs.

Broad incumbents

• ANSYS: Multi-physics simulation incumbent whose system-level and embedded software products (ANSYS SCADE, Twin Builder) compete with dSPACE's simulation, virtual ECU, and validation workflows in automotive and aerospace.
• Siemens (Simcenter): Siemens Digital Industries Software's Simcenter portfolio offers 1D/3D simulation, HIL (via acquired solutions), and embedded software validation; competes with dSPACE from a broader PLM/CAE bundle rather than a specialized automotive HIL focus.
• NI (now Emerson): Test & measurement platform provider (acquired by Emerson) offering modular hardware and software for HIL, data acquisition, and automated test systems; competes in the HIL hardware layer of dSPACE's stack, particularly in aerospace and industrial.

Others

• MathWorks: MATLAB/Simulink provider and de facto platform layer underpinning much of dSPACE's toolchain; an enabling/ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but adjacent expansion into HIL could pressure dSPACE workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dspacecom
• Instagraminstagram.com/dspace_gmbh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/dSPACEGmbH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dspace-gmbh
• Xx.com/dSPACEglobal

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about dSPACE