What Digades GmbH does

Digades GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German electronics manufacturer headquartered in Zittau, Saxony, with a branch office in Nordhausen. Founded in 1991 by a seven-person team of RF specialists, the company develops and produces customized electronic components and systems, with a primary focus on radio-frequency and high-frequency engineering for automotive and motorcycle applications. Its portfolio is organized around three core capabilities — Smart Access Solutions (keyless entry via smartphone app and remote control), HMI Controls (rugged switches and touch interfaces), and Electronic Control Units (e.g., differential lock controllers, pump electronics) — supplemented by product brands such as drc (digades remote comfort), drc Smart Key, dguard (motorcycle eCall), and TILSBERK (helmet head-up display).

Underlying technology spans proprietary RF know-how (digades distance boost for extended range; Intelligent Transmission Select for multi-protocol switching across NB-IoT, LTE-M, UWB, BLE, and NFC), AUTOSAR-based 32-bit control units compliant with ISO 26262 ASIL B and ISO 21434, and in-house SMT manufacturing (approximately 1.2 million units per year). The company is DIN EN ISO 9001 certified and the Telestart platform for Webasto has been produced continuously across five generations since 1998.

The business model combines project-based OEM development services, series production of customized electronics sold as first-fit equipment to automotive and motorcycle manufacturers, and aftermarket sales of the drc product line through accessory dealers and authorized workshops. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales to premium OEMs (BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bentley, Škoda, Lamborghini, SEAT, MAN, KTM, Magna, Brose, Webasto), supplemented by trade-show presence and direct distribution in Europe and aftermarket channels in North America.

Name

Digades GmbH

Legal name

digades GmbH

Website

https://digades.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Digades GmbH is a family-owned German electronics manufacturer that designs and produces customized RF-based smart access systems, HMI controls, and electronic control units primarily for premium automotive and motorcycle OEMs, including BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Electronics

NAICS

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

SIC

Electronic Components & Accessories (3670), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) (IMAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive Infotainment, Telematics & Connectivity Hardware Manufacturing (TCU/V2X/GNSS) (IMACAJAH), Industrial IoT/Edge Electronics Manufacturing (Gateways, Edge Controllers) (IMAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Automotive electronics
• Radio frequency systems
• Smart keyless access
• Vehicle control units
• HMI controls

Headquarters

HQ city

Zittau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electronics Hardware Sales: Manufacture and sale of customized electronics including radio remote controls, smart access systems, HMI controls, and electronic control units. Products are sold as OEM first equipment to automotive manufacturers and as aftermarket products through accessory dealers.
2. Development Services (R&D): Turnkey electronics development services from idea to series production, including Schaltungsdesign (circuit design), prototyping, validation, and product optimization. Development services are billed to customers as part of project contracts.
3. Efficient Production / Manufacturing Services: In-house electronics manufacturing including SMT line, PCB assembly, and testing. Approximately 1.2 million units manufactured annually. Production services support both development projects and series production.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Digades GmbH develops and manufactures customized electronic components and systems for automotive and two-wheeler OEMs, with core offerings in radio-frequency-based smart access solutions, HMI controls, and electronic control units. The company provides turnkey electronics development services from concept through series production, including circuit design, prototyping, validation, and in-house SMT manufacturing of approximately 1.2 million units annually.

Product overview

Digades GmbH offers a unified portfolio of customized electronics solutions centered on three core areas: Smart Access Solutions (keyless entry via smartphone app and remote control), HMI Controls (switches and touch interfaces), and Electronic Control Units (pump controllers and vehicle control units). The flagship product line is drc (digades remote comfort), encompassing the drc Smart Key (range-independent vehicle access and climate control) and drc Remote Engine Start (radio remote for vehicle air conditioning). Additional products include the TILSBERK Head-Up Display for motorcyclists, Digital Key System for two-wheelers, Differential Lock Control Unit, Emergency Call Switch for motorcycles, and Fuel Pump Electronics. The company develops and manufactures in-house, serving both OEM and aftermarket channels for automotive and two-wheeler manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• drc (digades remote comfort): Radio remote control solutions for comfort functions and vehicle air conditioning, featuring high range, short latency, and energy-efficient control.
• drc Smart Key
• TILSBERK HUD
• dguard

Products and services

• Smart Access Solutions Keyless access solutions for vehicles enabling smartphone app integration and remote control functionality, mastering all common radio-based access technologies. Sold to automotive OEMs as first equipment.
• HMI Controls Human-machine interface control systems ranging from robust switches to precise touch interfaces, designed for reliable operation in demanding automotive environments. Includes OEM-specific haptics and integrated functions such as SOS buttons with audio units.
• Electronic Control Units Electronic control units developed for automotive and two-wheeler applications, including pump controllers, HMI control units, and differential lock controllers compliant with AUTOSAR, ISO 26262, and ASIL B standards.
• drc (digades remote comfort) Brand-level product line of radio remote control solutions for comfort functions and vehicle air conditioning, featuring high range, short latency, and energy-efficient control. Solutions available as OEM first equipment or aftermarket products.
• drc Smart Key Range-independent vehicle control platform enabling climate control and keyless access via multiple transmission methods (NarrowBand IoT, LTE M2M, UWB Two Way Ranging, Bluetooth Low Energy, NFC backup). Compact design with up to 30-day battery life.
• drc Remote Engine Start (Remote Climatisation) Radio remote control system for vehicle air conditioning via cooling, ventilating, or heating, consisting of transmitter, receiver, and antenna. Available as aftermarket product or for series production, with digades distance boost (ddb) technology providing extended range.
• TILSBERK Head-Up Display Transparent, foldable helmet-mounted display for motorcyclists projecting navigation, speed, and communication information at approximately 10 m virtual distance. Features automatic brightness adjustment, magnetic mounting, up to 12-hour battery life, weight approximately 42 g, and RED/FCC certification.
• Digital Key System for Two-Wheelers Smart keyless driving authorization system for motorcycles using UWB (Ultra-Wideband), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and NFC (Near Field Communication). Enables passive access and start, key sharing via app, user-profile personalization, anti-relay protection, ISO 21434 cybersecurity compliance, and CCC certification.
• Differential Lock Control Unit Electronic control unit for off-road vehicles enabling control of three differential locks via dashboard. Features AUTOSAR operating system, 32-bit processor, glass fiber-reinforced plastic housing, CAN/LIN connectivity, and ISO 26262 ASIL B compliance.
• Emergency Call Switch for Motorcycle (dguard) Standard emergency call control element for motorcycle handlebars featuring SOS button with cover flap, integrated audio unit (speaker and microphone), and OEM-specific haptics. Rated IP67 and IPX9K for durability. Part of the dguard automatic emergency call system for motorcycles.
• Electronics Development Services Turnkey electronics development services from idea to series production, including circuit design (Schaltungsdesign), prototyping, validation, and product optimization. Billed to customers as part of project contracts.
• Efficient Electronics Manufacturing Services In-house electronics manufacturing including SMT line, PCB assembly, and testing. Approximately 1.2 million units manufactured annually. Production services support both development projects and series production for OEM customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 1,500m radio range for vehicle remote controls
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Webasto Thermosysteme GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 1997Strategic partnership since November 1997. Webasto awarded digades the contract to develop radio remote control for auxiliary heating systems. In 1998, developed world's first 869 MHz radio remote control system for car auxiliary heating (Telestart T70), now in 5th generation. Digades develops and produces the systems for Webasto.
• Volkswagen AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment and production of radio remote control systems with feedback in license-free frequency bands. Features two-color LED for status display, automatic battery status check, up to 1,200m range, laser-welded buttons with chrome clasp.
• Mercedes-Benz Group AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment and production of high-end auxiliary heating remote control with integrated heating time management system. Features display with 'black panel effect', high-quality design with matt textured and high-gloss surfaces, up to 1,500m range.
• webks GmbH (DROWL.de)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeb design and development partner responsible for website design and Drupal CMS development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tokai Rika: Japanese specialist in vehicle security, keyless entry systems, shifters and HMI components for global OEMs. Directly comparable in digital key, remote access and switch products to digades.
• Alps Alpine: Japanese manufacturer of switches, HMI components and keyless entry / communication modules for automotive OEMs. Comparable to digades across HMI Controls and Smart Access Solutions.
• Leopold Kostal: Family-owned German automotive supplier of HMI controls, switches, steering-column modules and electronic control units. Closely comparable to digades in product mix, customer profile and family-ownership structure.
• Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst: German specialist in car access systems and mechanical/electronic locks, including UWB-based digital key solutions for global OEMs. Highly comparable to digades' Smart Access Solutions and digital-key product line.
• Marquardt GmbH: Family-owned German mechatronics supplier of HMI controls, switches and access systems to automotive OEMs worldwide. Closely overlaps digades' HMI Controls and electronic control unit portfolio.
• Preh GmbH: Automotive HMI specialist supplying center stacks, touch panels and control units to European OEMs. Comparable to digades' HMI and ECU product areas (also a listed digades partner/customer).

Broad incumbents

• Hella (Forvia): Large German Tier-1 automotive supplier of lighting, electronics and car-body access solutions. Broader portfolio than digades but overlapping on keyless entry, RF electronics and ECU modules.
• Valeo: Global Tier-1 automotive supplier offering keyless entry / passive start systems, telematics control units and body electronics. Overlaps digades' telematics and smart-access categories at much larger scale.
• Aptiv: Global Tier-1 supplier of vehicle architecture, connectivity and user-experience electronics. Overlaps digades on connectivity / access modules as part of a much broader portfolio.

Regional players

• Becker Group (Huf successor carve-outs / Faurecia): European automotive electronics supplier with adjacent access and HMI product lines. Comparable product categories to digades with overlapping German OEM customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/digades
• Xx.com/digadesgmbh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digades-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Digades GmbH