Polarith

What Polarith does

Polarith GmbH is a German industrial automation company founded in 2016 in Magdeburg as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer IFF and the University of Magdeburg. The company develops and sells the Cranium platform, a modular system for safe, precise, and scalable automation of crane operations, combining a ruggedized Industrial PC (IPC) with proprietary real-time control software and a suite of sensor modules (3D lidar, industrial cameras, laser, proximity sensors). The platform includes software modules for bridge cranes, rotary/slewing cranes, track control, navigation and 3D pathfinding, load collision prevention (LCPS), the Crane Instrumentation System (CIS) for port environments, a Central Management App (CMA) for multi-system oversight, and remote maintenance over 5G/WireGuard VPN. Safety is a core design constraint, with PLd certification per EN ISO 13849-1 governing emergency stop and collision avoidance functions.

The business serves enterprise customers in three primary verticals: port terminal operators (EUROGATE, APM Terminals, Maersk at Jade-Weser-Port Wilhelmshaven), intermodal rail-road terminal operators (DSD Hilgers/Deutsche Bahn DUSS at Cologne-Eifeltor), and industrial manufacturers (Zeiss, Harro Höfliger, Euroglas, Thermotec, Goldau). The company reports 70+ Cranium systems in operational use, 150+ sensors installed, and systems in service for up to 10 years. Revenue is generated through three streams: hardware sales of the Cranium IPC and sensor modules, modular software licensing (add-on modules such as Lidar, Navigation, LCPS, CMA, RMS), and professional services covering analysis, simulation, integration, PLC testing, commissioning, and operator training. The company sells exclusively through direct enterprise engagement, with no resellers or marketplace channels, and operates from a single Magdeburg headquarters with 11-50 employees. Polarith is founder-controlled (Martin Kirst as Managing Director, Franz Pieper as co-founder) with no disclosed external funding or institutional investors.

Name

Polarith

Legal name

Polarith GmbH

Website

https://polarith.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Polarith is a German industrial automation company that builds the Cranium modular platform for safe, sensor-based automation of cranes, selling directly to port operators, intermodal terminals, and industrial manufacturers in Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Software

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), I&C / Controls & Automation Commissioning (DCS/PLC/SCADA) (EUAEAJAD)

Keywords

• Crane automation software
• Industrial automation platform
• Port terminal automation
• Machine safety systems
• Sensor integration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Magdeburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cranium Platform (Hardware + Software): Sale of the Cranium modular platform encompassing ruggedized Industrial PC hardware combined with proprietary software modules. Customers purchase the core IPC and add sensor modules and automation functions based on their crane type and requirements. Includes installation, commissioning, and training services as part of implementation projects.
2. Software Licenses and Module Add-ons: Modular licensing structure where customers license specific Cranium modules (Bridge Crane, Rotary Crane, Navigation, Lidar, etc.) to extend the platform's capabilities. New functions can be licensed post-installation via the web application.
3. Engineering and Consulting Services: Professional services including on-site analysis and consulting, control concept development, simulation, PLC integration and installation, in-house PLC testing, commissioning, and operator training. Full end-to-end project accompaniment from initial idea to final acceptance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Polarith develops and sells the Cranium modular platform for safe, precise, and scalable crane automation. Cranium combines a ruggedized Industrial PC with proprietary real-time control software and modular sensor/software components (anti-sway, 3D pathfinding, load collision prevention, lidar, camera, laser, CIS). The company also delivers end-to-end engineering services including feasibility analysis, simulation, PLC integration, installation, commissioning, and operator training to enterprise clients in ports, intermodal terminals, and industrial manufacturing.

Product overview

Polarith's primary offering is the Cranium modular platform for crane automation. Cranium is a holistic ecosystem of sensors and controls designed for safe, precise, and scalable automation in crane technology. The platform follows a modular architecture consisting of a core Industrial PC (IPC) hardware combined with software modules including Bridge Crane, Rotary Crane, Track Control, Instrumentation (CIS), and Fieldbus modules, plus sensor modules for Camera, Laser, Lidar, and Proximity Sensors. Advanced functionality is provided through Areas and Obstacles, Navigation, Load Collision Prevention (LCPS), Central Management App (CMA), and Remote Maintenance (RMS) modules. The platform targets four key application areas: container gantry cranes, intermodal cranes, industrial cranes, and slewing cranes. Integration with third-party systems includes Navis N4 TOS, Camco and Visy OCR systems, and supports fieldbus protocols Profinet, Profibus, and CANopen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cranium: Modular platform for safe, precise, and scalable automation in crane technology. Cranium is more than just software - it is a holistic ecosystem of sensors and controls for crane automation, covering container gantry cranes, intermodal cranes, industrial cranes, and slewing cranes.

Products and services

• Cranium Crane Automation Platform Modular crane automation platform combining ruggedized Industrial PC hardware with proprietary real-time control software and sensor modules (lidar, camera, laser, proximity sensors). Supports container gantry cranes, intermodal cranes, industrial overhead cranes, and slewing cranes with PLd-certified safety, anti-sway, 3D pathfinding, load collision prevention, and integration with PLCs (Siemens, CODESYS) and terminal operating systems (Navis N4). Sold to enterprise port operators, intermodal terminals, and industrial manufacturers.
• Automation Engineering and Consulting Services End-to-end professional services including on-site analysis and consulting, control concept development, simulation, sensor and IPC installation, PLC integration and testing, commissioning, and operator training. Sold alongside Cranium deployments to enterprise customers from feasibility through final acceptance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significantly reduced cycle times through automated target approach (container handling)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fraunhofer IFFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolarith originated directly from the research environment of Fraunhofer IFF and the University of Magdeburg in 2016. This research partnership is the foundational origin of the company, providing the academic and technical basis for the Cranium platform. The ongoing SIMMI research project (01.01.2025 – 30.06.2027) involves research into process and system safety for arc welding multi-layer welded joints, including flexible workspace safeguarding.
• University of MagdeburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolarith originated directly from the research environment of the University of Magdeburg and Fraunhofer IFF in 2016. The academic institution provided the foundational research environment from which the company and its Cranium technology were spun out.
• EurogatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEurogate is both a key customer and development partner. Their specific requirements drove the development of the Crane Instrumentation System (CIS), a derivative of Cranium tailored for automating straddle carrier operations and interconnecting third-party interfaces at Eurogate terminals. EUROGATE operates at Jade-Weser-Port Wilhelmshaven with 70+ Cranium systems in deployment.
• APM TerminalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPM Terminals is both a key customer and development partner, with their specific requirements influencing the development of the Crane Instrumentation System (CIS). CIS was created to meet the particular needs of APM Terminals for automating straddle carrier operations at port terminals. Their joint work with Eurogate on CIS represents a unique port automation collaboration.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Swiss-Swedish industrial automation and robotics giant with dedicated crane solutions (ABB Crane Systems) including drives, controls, and automation software for container, process, and harbor cranes. Competes in the same port and industrial crane control space as Polarith but as part of a much broader automation portfolio.
• Siemens: German industrial conglomerate whose SIMOCRANE / crane automation portfolio competes directly with Polarith's Cranium in port and industrial cranes. Provides PLC and drive-level solutions (SIMATIC) that overlap with Polarith's IPC + SoftPLC stack, but at vastly larger scale and via a broader industrial automation suite.
• Konecranes: Finland-based global crane manufacturer and service provider with a substantial crane automation and digital offering (including anti-sway, remote operation, and port automation). Overlaps with Polarith on STS/RMG/industrial crane automation and competes for the same port/industrial customers but operates at far larger scale with a full crane-equipment portfolio.
• Kalmar (Cargotec): Finland-based port equipment and automation provider (part of Cargotec, soon MacGregor/Kalmar) supplying automated container terminals, straddle carriers, and crane automation software. Serves identical end-customers as Polarith in container ports but offers much broader port equipment portfolio and is far larger.

Direct peers

• Conductix-Wampfler: Global supplier of crane electrification and control technology (festoon systems, slip rings, motorized cable reels, automation components) serving many of the same port and industrial crane OEMs and end customers. Comparable as a specialist vendor of crane-focused automation hardware and integration services.
• Cavotec: Swiss-Swedish specialist in port and shore-power automation with engineering of automated mooring, crane electrification, and integrated port systems. Directly comparable to Polarith in targeting port operators with automation hardware/software and is a similar-sized niche industrial vendor.
• TMEIC: Joint venture of Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric focused on industrial drives, motors, and automation including crane and port automation systems. Directly comparable niche-overlap with Polarith on crane control systems for ports and industrial facilities, though at larger scale and broader industrial scope.

Emerging players

• Bruks Siwertell: Swedish supplier of ship unloaders, stackers, reclaimers, and bulk material handling automation. Adjacent to Polarith's industrial crane automation focus with similar niche specialization in heavy industrial material handling and similar European industrial heritage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Polarith