MicroStrain
MicroStrain by HBK is a US-based inertial sensor and wireless data acquisition company serving robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, and industrial automation markets through direct enterprise sales. It operates as a subsidiary of HBK within the Spectris group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersWilliston, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MicroStrain does
MicroStrain (operating as "MicroStrain by HBK") is a US-based inertial sensor and wireless data acquisition company. The company was founded in 1992 per its company history timeline (firmographic data lists 1987; the discrepancy is unresolved in available sources) and is headquartered in Williston, Vermont. It designs and manufactures high-performance inertial measurement units (IMUs), vertical reference units (VRUs), attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS), and inertial navigation systems (INS), with its flagship 3DM-CV7-GNSS/INS being a tactical-grade embeddable GNSS-aided inertial navigation system. Its underlying technology stack centers on multi-IMU sensor fusion through Extended Kalman Filter engines with microsecond-level timing synchronization, dynamic measurement weighting, and resilient GNSS-denied navigation architectures that combine inertial data with external sensors including LiDAR SLAM, visual odometry, wheel encoders, and Doppler sensors. Complementing the inertial portfolio is a wireless DAQ product line consisting of wireless sensor nodes and gateways for distributed structural and industrial monitoring.
The company generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise hardware sales, operating a quote-based pricing model that is not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is sales-led with "Request a Quote" and "Talk to an Expert" CTAs targeting robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, and industrial automation customers. The software stack includes InertialConnect for desktop configuration, SensorConnect for data acquisition, and the MSCL communications library exposing APIs in Python, C, C++, C#, and Java, plus native ROS and PX4 integrations for robotics and UAV platforms. Named enterprise customers include Westwood Robotics (humanoid robotics) and Beta Technologies (eVTOL aerospace).
MicroStrain has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HBK (Hottinger Brül & Kjær) since 2022, and HBK is itself part of the London-listed Spectris group (LSE: SXS). The addressable inertial navigation systems market is projected to grow from USD 9.42 billion in 2026 to USD 11.92 billion by 2030. Note: the firmographic lists 5,001-10,000 employees, which appears to reflect the broader HBK/Spectris organization rather than MicroStrain as an operating unit.
MicroStrain firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MicroStrain
- Legal name
- MicroStrain
- Website
- https://microstrain.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- MicroStrain by HBK is a US-based inertial sensor and wireless data acquisition company serving robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, and industrial automation markets through direct enterprise sales. It operates as a subsidiary of HBK within the Spectris group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MicroStrain industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Inertial Sensors and Navigation Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inertial & Motion Sensors (Accelerometers/Gyroscopes/IMUs) (HDAHALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Inertial Navigation Systems (INS/IMU) (IMABAFAB), Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)
Keywords
Where MicroStrain is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Williston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
MicroStrain business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Inertial Sensors: Sale of inertial measurement units (IMUs), vertical reference units (VRUs), attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS), and inertial navigation systems (INS) for robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and industrial applications
- Wireless DAQ Systems: Wireless sensor nodes and gateways for distributed monitoring networks, providing high-speed sensing and data acquisition across multiple wireless sensing points
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
MicroStrain product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MicroStrain designs and manufactures inertial measurement units (IMUs), vertical reference units (VRUs), attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS), and inertial navigation systems (INS), including the 3DM-CV7-GNSS/INS model. Its portfolio also extends to wireless data acquisition systems built around sensor nodes and gateways for distributed monitoring networks, complemented by developer software tools (MSCL, InertialConnect, SensorConnect) for robotics, aerospace, autonomous vehicles, and industrial applications.
Product overview
MicroStrain by HBK offers a comprehensive portfolio of inertial sensing and wireless data acquisition products designed for robotics, navigation, and autonomous systems. The core product line includes Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), Vertical Reference Units (VRU), Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS), and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) ranging from consumer to tactical grade. The 3DM-CV7-GNSS/INS represents their flagship tactical-grade embeddable navigation system. Complementing the hardware, MicroStrain provides software tools including InertialConnect for configuration, SensorConnect for data acquisition, and MSCL for developer API access across Python, C, C++, C#, and Java. The company also offers complete wireless DAQ solutions consisting of wireless sensor nodes and gateways for distributed monitoring applications. All inertial sensors support ROS and PX4 integration for robotics and UAV platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) Tactical-grade and embeddable inertial measurement units that provide raw linear acceleration and angular rate data for robotics, autonomous systems, and aerospace platforms. Designed for engineers integrating motion sensing into drones, mobile robots, and other unmanned platforms.
- Vertical Reference Units (VRU) Inertial sensor systems that deliver pitch and roll orientation for applications requiring stabilized vertical reference, used by robotics and industrial customers needing reliable tilt and orientation data.
- Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) AHRS products that fuse accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer data to compute full attitude and heading, supporting orientation needs of unmanned systems, robotics, and aerospace platforms.
- Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) Inertial navigation systems that combine IMU data with aiding sources to provide position, velocity, and attitude, engineered for autonomous platforms that must navigate reliably under GNSS-denied or contested conditions.
- 3DM-CV7-GNSS/INS Tactical-grade embeddable GNSS-Aided INS leveraging MicroStrain's sensor fusion engine, designed for autonomous and robotics platforms requiring precise navigation with spoofing and denial resilience and microsecond timing synchronization.
- Wireless DAQ Systems Wireless data acquisition systems composed of sensor nodes and gateways that enable distributed, scalable monitoring networks for industrial, structural health, and research applications.
- Wireless Gateways Wireless gateways that aggregate and forward data from distributed sensor nodes, used to deploy and manage large-scale wireless monitoring networks for industrial and infrastructure customers.
- Wireless Nodes Wireless sensor nodes deployed at measurement points to capture and transmit data to gateways, enabling scalable distributed monitoring across industrial and structural health use cases.
- InertialConnect Developer software tool from MicroStrain for configuring and interfacing with inertial sensors, supporting engineers integrating IMU/INS products into robotics and autonomous platforms.
- SensorConnect Software tool from MicroStrain for configuring and acquiring data from wireless sensor nodes and inertial sensors, used by engineers deploying and monitoring distributed measurement networks.
- MSCL (MicroStrain Communications Library) Open communications library that enables developers to interface with MicroStrain inertial and wireless sensors programmatically, supporting custom integrations in robotics, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Inertial navigation systems maintain accurate positioning through GNSS degradation, denial, and reacquisition phases
Companies that use MicroStrain
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MicroStrain technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
MicroStrain partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær)coreMicroStrain is now part of the HBK family, bringing together inertial sensing and wireless DAQ technology with HBK's broader test and measurement portfolio. This acquisition enables powerful new opportunities for customers, combining precision measurement with advanced sensor technology.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MicroStrain competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NovAtel (Hexagon): NovAtel, part of Hexagon's Positioning Intelligence division, produces high-precision GNSS receivers and GNSS-aided INS for autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and survey. It is a larger incumbent with broader positioning portfolios but directly competes in GNSS/INS integration.
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman produces high-grade inertial navigation systems for defense and aerospace platforms, including ring laser and fiber-optic gyro systems. It is a broad incumbent competing in defense and aerospace INS procurement where MicroStrain also participates.
- Trimble Inc. Trimble provides GNSS/INS positioning solutions for construction, agriculture, surveying, and autonomous vehicles. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping GNSS-aided navigation offerings serving adjacent industrial segments.
- Parker LORD (Parker Hannifin Sensing): Parker LORD acquired the legacy MicroStrain business unit (the original wireless/wired strain and structural health monitoring business) and continues to sell wireless sensor nodes for industrial and structural monitoring—a directly adjacent offering to MicroStrain's wireless DAQ systems.
- Safran Sensing (formerly iXblue / Exail): Safran Sensing (which now includes VectorNav and previously Exail/iXblue's fiber-optic gyro INS business) produces high-end inertial navigation and positioning systems for aerospace, defense, and maritime. It is a broad incumbent and direct competitor at the premium end.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is a dominant supplier of inertial sensors and INS for commercial and military aviation, with extensive certification and system integration capabilities. It competes at the higher end of tactical/strategic-grade INS where MicroStrain's 3DM-CV7 also plays.
Direct peers
- Xsens (Movella): Xsens (now part of Movella) produces MEMS IMUs and motion-capture sensor modules for robotics, autonomous systems, and biomechanics. It overlaps with MicroStrain's IMU and AHRS offerings for robotics and motion-tracking customers.
- Inertial Labs: Inertial Labs manufactures tactical-grade IMUs, AHRS, and INS for defense, aerospace, and autonomous platforms. It targets similar use cases (UAVs, UGVs, marine, GNSS-denied navigation) and competes on price-performance in the same procurement cycles.
- SBG Systems: SBG Systems specializes in MEMS-based IMUs, AHRS, and GNSS/INS for surveying, autonomous vehicles, and marine applications. It is a near-direct specialist competitor with similar product tiers and pricing model to MicroStrain.
- VectorNav Technologies (Safran): VectorNav produces tactical-grade IMUs and GNSS-aided INS for unmanned systems, robotics, and aerospace—directly overlapping MicroStrain's core product portfolio and target customers. VectorNav was acquired by Safran in 2022, making it the closest direct peer in the tactical inertial sensor category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MicroStrain social profiles
Digital presenceMicroStrain financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MicroStrain leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MicroStrain funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MicroStrain 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 MicroStrain
What does MicroStrain do?
MicroStrain designs and manufactures inertial measurement units (IMUs), vertical reference units (VRUs), attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS), and inertial navigation systems (INS), including the 3DM-CV7-GNSS/INS model. Its portfolio also extends to wireless data acquisition systems built around sensor nodes and gateways for distributed monitoring networks, complemented by developer software tools (MSCL, InertialConnect, SensorConnect) for robotics, aerospace, autonomous vehicles, and industrial applications.
Is MicroStrain a public or private company?
MicroStrain is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MicroStrain founded?
MicroStrain was founded in 1992. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is MicroStrain based?
MicroStrain is headquartered in Williston, United States, in the North America region.
How does MicroStrain make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Inertial Sensors are the primary driver. The others are wireless DAQ Systems.
Who are MicroStrain's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NovAtel (Hexagon), Northrop Grumman, Trimble Inc., Parker LORD (Parker Hannifin Sensing), Safran Sensing (formerly iXblue / Exail) and Honeywell Aerospace. Direct peers are Xsens (Movella), Inertial Labs, SBG Systems and VectorNav Technologies (Safran).
Does MicroStrain have an API?
Yes. MicroStrain offers MSCL (MicroStrain Communications Library), a communication library that enables developers to interface with and control MicroStrain sensors and data acquisition devices. The MSCL supports multiple programming languages including Python, C, C++, C#, and Java, allowing users to programmatically configure sensors, collect data, and integrate with custom applications. Developer documentation is at www.hbkworld.com/en/products/software/inertial-sensor-software/mscl.
What industry is MicroStrain in?
MicroStrain's product category is Inertial Sensors and Navigation Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAA, Inertial & Motion Sensors (Accelerometers/Gyroscopes/IMUs), with a secondary code of IMABAFAB, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS/IMU). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.