HMT
HMT (Human Mechanical Technologies) is a French designer and manufacturer of passive and active professional exoskeletons, founded in 2017, that sells ergonomic-integration services and devices to prevent musculoskeletal disorders across French enterprise, mid-market, and independent worker customers in industry, logistics, construction, and healthcare.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersTarbes, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HMT does
HMT (Human Mechanical Technologies SAS) is a French designer and manufacturer of professional exoskeletons founded in 2017 and headquartered in Tarbes, France, with a second manufacturing facility in Loos near Lille. The company produces a portfolio of six exoskeleton models spanning passive mechanical assistance (Plum', Light for shoulder/arm support; Moon for cervical support; Wave and Softskin Dorso-Lombaire for back/lumbar support) and active motorized assistance (Japet.W+, an active lumbar exoskeleton with sensors and four micro-motors delivering up to 40% lumbar decompression with 8-hour battery life). All devices are designed in collaboration with certified ergonomists and aim to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (TMS/MSD), which the company cites as 87% of recognized occupational diseases in France.
HMT operates a sales-led, expert-driven go-to-market model with no third-party reseller or distributor network. Field-deployed certified ergonomists conduct on-site workplace analysis, run trial deployments, provide training, and execute long-term follow-up as a bundled service alongside device sales. Hardware is priced below 5,000 euros per unit under a one-time/perpetual purchase model. The customer base is anchored by French large enterprises — including La Poste (co-development partner for Wave), RATP (140 units across 12 maintenance workshops covering 300+ agents, described as the largest European deployment of its kind), SNCF, EDF, Enedis, Bouygues Construction, Saint-Gobain, Framatome, and Airbus — alongside mid-market and independent worker segments across manufacturing, construction, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, food production, and waste management. The company has deployed more than 1,600 exoskeletons cumulatively in France and internationally.
The business is founder-led (CEO Kévin Régi), privately held with 102,650 euros of share capital, no disclosed institutional investors or external funding rounds, and a very small headcount (1–10 employees). The company contributed to the development of the AFNOR NFX35-800 standard for exoskeleton integration, and positions its proprietary 4-step ergonomic integration methodology (workstation analysis, usage consulting, ergonomic manufacturing, long-term follow-up) as its principal service differentiator beyond the hardware itself.
HMT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HMT
- Legal name
- Human Mechanical Technologies SAS
- Website
- https://hmt-france.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HMT (Human Mechanical Technologies) is a French designer and manufacturer of passive and active professional exoskeletons, founded in 2017, that sells ergonomic-integration services and devices to prevent musculoskeletal disorders across French enterprise, mid-market, and independent worker customers in industry, logistics, construction, and healthcare.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HMT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Exoskeletons
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Posture, Musculoskeletal & Pain-Relief Devices (Posture Trainers, TENS/EMS, Massage Devices) (CRACAQAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ergonomics & Manual Handling / Material Handling Safety (EDABAEAJ), Ergonomics & Musculoskeletal Risk Assessments (EUAHAGAH)
Keywords
Where HMT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tarbes
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
HMT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Exoskeleton Hardware Sales: Sale of professional exoskeleton devices (Plum', Moon, Wave, Japet.W+, Softskin Dorso-Lombaire, Light) to businesses and organizations. Hardware is sold as one-time purchase with pricing below 5,000 euros for standard devices.
- Ergonomic Consulting Services: On-site ergonomic analysis, workplace assessment, device integration support, training, and long-term follow-up services bundled with device deployment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Exoskeleton Devices |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
HMT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HMT (Human Mechanical Technologies) designs and manufactures professional exoskeletons to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (TMS/MSD). The portfolio includes six exoskeleton models (Plum', Light, Moon, Wave, Softskin Dorso-Lombaire, and Japet.W+) providing passive and active assistance for shoulder, arm, cervical, back, and lumbar support. The company also delivers integrated ergonomics consulting services including on-site workplace analysis, device recommendation, training, and long-term follow-up.
Product overview
HMT (Human Mechanical Technologies) is a French manufacturer of professional exoskeletons designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The product portfolio consists of 6 exoskeleton models: Plum' and Light (passive shoulder/arm support), Moon (passive cervical support), Wave and Softskin Dorso-Lombaire (passive back support), and Japet.W+ (active motorized lumbar support). All passive models are manufactured in Tarbes, France, while the active Japet.W+ is manufactured in Loos near Lille. The company also provides integrated ergonomics consulting services including on-site analysis, device recommendation, training, and long-term follow-up. HMT was founded in 2017 and has deployed over 1,600 exoskeletons across industries including industry, construction, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, and public services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Plum' Exoskeleton
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% of recognized occupational diseases in France are due to TMS; Exoskeletons reduce muscle fatigue and prevent MSD development
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use HMT
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HMT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
HMT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- La PostecoreStrategic co-development partnership for the Wave exoskeleton. La Poste collaborated with HMT from 2021 to develop a custom solution for mail handling operations. Partnership followed AFNOR NFX35-800 standard methodology with multiple prototype iterations over two years. Resulted in national deployment across La Poste industrial platforms.
- RATPcoreLarge-scale deployment partnership for Parisian public transport maintenance workers. 140 exoskeletons deployed across 12 maintenance workshops covering 300+ agents, described as a European first in deployment scale.
- Knauf InsulationminorExoskeleton integration project at Lannemezan plant starting early 2025. Japet.W+ deployed for glass wool recycling operations. Employee with chronic lumbar issues became company exoskeleton referent, driving broader adoption.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HMT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- ActiveLink (Panasonic): Japan-based (Panasonic-affiliated) developer of the Assist Suit AWN passive exoskeleton for agriculture, logistics, and care applications. Comparable to HMT's Plum'/Wave in target use cases but primarily serves Asian markets.
Broad incumbents
- Comau: Italian industrial automation firm (Stellantis group) offering the MATE-XT wearable muscular exoskeleton for assembly, logistics, and manufacturing. Direct competitor in European automotive and industrial OEM accounts with global delivery capability.
- Lockheed Martin (FORTIS): US defense prime that developed and has since divested the FORTIS industrial exoskeleton for heavy-load manual handling. Comparable to HMT's Wave product in industrial back assistance, though serving defense and shipyard contexts rather than HMT's SMB/logistics focus.
- Ekso Bionics: US-listed exoskeleton company with both medical (rehabilitation) and industrial (EksoZeroG, Evolve) product lines. Overlaps with HMT in upper-body industrial exoskeletons and in medical device-grade lumbar support.
- Cyberdyne: Japanese pioneer of the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) exoskeleton, active in both medical (wearable cyborg devices) and industrial/Logistics (Lumbar) segments. Competes indirectly with HMT on active exoskeleton technology and Japanese/Asian enterprise accounts.
- Ottobock: Global German leader in prosthetics and orthotics that acquired SuitX (now Paeo) to enter the industrial exoskeleton market. Competes with HMT via a broader portfolio (orthotics, prosthetics, exoskeletons) and significantly larger distribution.
Direct peers
- German Bionic: German manufacturer of the Cray X industrial exoskeleton, offering active back support for logistics and manufacturing workers. Closest direct competitor to HMT in the European workplace exoskeleton category with overlapping target customers and pricing tier.
- Levitate Technologies: US maker of the AirFrame and SafeLift passive exoskeletons for industrial back and shoulder support. Closely comparable product portfolio and price point to HMT's Plum', Wave, and SSDL models in the North American market.
Emerging players
- Sarcos Technology and Robotics: US developer of industrial exoskeletons (Guardian XO, Guardian XT) targeting defense, construction, and manufacturing. Less commercially deployed than HMT but competes for the same category of upper-body industrial assistance contracts.
Others
- Japet: Original French exoskeleton startup whose Japet.W+ product is now manufactured by HMT in Loos. Historically a direct peer; appears to have become a partner/feeder brand under HMT's broader product portfolio.
Market position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights1 record
Customer concentration
HMT social profiles
Digital presenceHMT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HMT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
HMT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HMT 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 HMT
What does HMT do?
HMT (Human Mechanical Technologies) designs and manufactures professional exoskeletons to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (TMS/MSD). The portfolio includes six exoskeleton models (Plum', Light, Moon, Wave, Softskin Dorso-Lombaire, and Japet.W+) providing passive and active assistance for shoulder, arm, cervical, back, and lumbar support. The company also delivers integrated ergonomics consulting services including on-site workplace analysis, device recommendation, training, and long-term follow-up.
Is HMT a public or private company?
HMT is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was HMT founded?
HMT was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HMT based?
HMT is headquartered in Tarbes, France, in the Europe region.
How does HMT make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Exoskeleton Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are ergonomic Consulting Services.
Who are HMT's main competitors?
ActiveLink (Panasonic) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Comau, Lockheed Martin (FORTIS), Ekso Bionics, Cyberdyne and Ottobock. Direct peers are German Bionic and Levitate Technologies. Sarcos Technology and Robotics is listed as an emerging player. Japet is listed as an others.
Does HMT have an API?
No public API is recorded for HMT.
What industry is HMT in?
HMT's product category is Professional Exoskeletons. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAQAK, Posture, Musculoskeletal & Pain-Relief Devices (Posture Trainers, TENS/EMS, Massage Devices), with a secondary code of EDABAEAJ, Ergonomics & Manual Handling / Material Handling Safety. Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3842.