Drive Test

What Drive Test does

Drive Test GmbH is a Meschede-headquartered German manufacturer of test and measurement systems, founded in 1998 by Wolfgang Schabel. The company pioneered electronic and mechanical measurement of closing/pinch forces on automated systems — bus and train doors, automotive windows and sunroofs, tailgates, elevator doors, and industrial doors and gates — with products organized around the Original BIA Class (1 and 2), the BIA-600 rail series, and the FM 100/200/300 families, supported by the PinchPilot analysis software and EN 14752/VDV 111-compliant test components. Revenue is generated through direct hardware sales (quote-based pricing), per-version PinchPilot software licensing, DAkkS/DKD-accredited and factory calibration services, and tailored training. Distribution combines an in-house technical-sales team with online quotation/ordering and a global channel — including dedicated partners in China, Australia, India, and France, and the PCE Instruments subsidiary network across Europe, the Americas, and Asia following the 2022 acquisition.

Following the 2022 acquisition by PCE Instruments, Drive Test has broadened its portfolio beyond closing-force measurement into complementary categories — force gauges (DT-DFG, DT-HFG), vibration sensors with FFT and ISO 10816-3 evaluation (DT-VT), thermocouple-based temperature loggers (DT-T series), non-invasive flow meters (DT-TDS), TDR cable-length meters (DT-CLT), magnetic-field and Geiger counters (DT-MFM, DT-RAM), belt-tension gauges (DT-BTM), stroboscopes (DT-LES), and an environmental sensor (DT-AQD). Customers include major automotive, rail, elevator, and industrial-door manufacturers and suppliers — Alstom, Audi, Bentley, Bombardier, Daimler, Deutsche Bahn, Volkswagen, Volvo, Siemens, Continental, and Webasto are referenced. Since 2022, leadership has been held by Managing Director Maximilian Knoppe, with founder Wolfgang Schabel remaining an executive shareholder.

Name

Drive Test

Legal name

Drive Test GmbH

Website

https://drivetest.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Drive Test GmbH, founded in 1998 and based in Meschede, Germany, develops and manufactures pinch-force measurement devices and test systems for automotive, railway, elevator, and industrial-door OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, distributing globally via parent PCE Instruments' channel network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Safety Compliance Test and Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Pinch force measurement
• Closing force testing
• Automotive safety test systems
• Railway door testing
• Measurement instrument manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pinch Force Measurement Hardware: Sale of measurement devices and sensors including BIA Class, FM series devices for various applications (bus doors, rail doors, car windows, elevator doors, doors/gates). Revenue from initial product sales with potential for repeat purchases and accessories.
2. Calibration Services: Professional calibration services including factory calibration and DAkkS/DKD accredited calibration according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. Recommended annual calibration for electronic devices and biennial for mechanical devices.
3. PinchPilot Software: Software license for measurement analysis, report generation, and data management. Each new version requires a new license key.
4. Training Services: Tailored training sessions for force measurement devices and test systems covering theoretical principles, practical application, and standard compliance.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Drive Test GmbH develops and manufactures electronic and mechanical pinch force (closing force) measurement systems used to test power-operated systems including bus doors, train doors, car windows, sunroofs, tailgates, elevator doors, and industrial gates. The portfolio spans the Original BIA series, FM 100/200/300 series (including Bluetooth variants), the proprietary PinchPilot analysis software, and the Drive-Pilot-Test-System for testing electrical drives. Complementary offerings include DAkkS/DKD accredited calibration services and tailored training programs for safety compliance testing under international standards (DIN, EN, FMVSS, ASR, EG).

Product overview

Drive Test GmbH develops and manufactures test systems for worldwide use in the automotive and railway industries. As a pioneer in closing force measurement (Schließkraftmessung), the company offers a broad portfolio of electronic and mechanical measurement devices for various applications including bus/train doors, car windows/sunroofs, elevator doors, and industrial gates. The product portfolio includes the Original BIA series (Class 1 and 2), FM series (FM 100, FM 100 BT, FM 200, FM 202, FM 205, FM 206, FM 207, FM 208, FM 300, FM 300 BT), PinchPilot analysis software, and the Drive-Pilot-Test-System for comprehensive drive testing. Beyond closing force measurement, Drive Test offers complementary measurement solutions under PCE Instruments including force measurement (DT-DFG X Series, DT-HFG), vibration measurement (DT-VT series), temperature measurement (DT-T series), flow measurement (DT-TDS series), cable length measurement (DT-CLT 100), radiation measurement (DT-MFM, DT-RAM), belt tension measurement (DT-BTM series), stroboscopes (DT-LES series), and environmental measurement (DT-AQD series). In 2022, Drive Test became a subsidiary of PCE Instruments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Drive-Pilot-Test-System: Universal and flexible test system for sun-roof-systems and whole door systems with electronic control units (LIN-Bus, CAN-Bus)
• PinchPilot

Products and services

• Original BIA Class 1 Electronic pinch force measurement system for measuring and evaluating the closing force of bus and train doors. Targeted at bus and rail manufacturers and operators requiring safety compliance documentation.
• Original BIA Class 2 Mechanical pinch force measurement device for bus doors with drag pointer for manual force indication. Targeted at bus manufacturers and operators needing a mechanical measurement option.
• BIA-1 BT Wireless pinch force measurement system with Bluetooth connectivity for bus and railway doors and steps. Targeted at bus and rail safety testing teams requiring wireless data capture.
• BIA 600 Pinch force measurement system specifically designed for railway vehicle doors. Targeted at rail vehicle manufacturers and operators.
• BIA-600 BT Wireless pinch force measurement system for railway doors and steps with Bluetooth connectivity. Targeted at rail safety testing teams needing wireless data transfer.
• FM 100 Pinch force measurement system for measuring closing force of foreign power-operated doors and gates. Targeted at facility management and industrial door/gate operators.
• FM 100 BT Wireless pinch force measurement system for doors and gates with Bluetooth connectivity. Targeted at facility management and industrial door/gate operators.
• FM 200 Pinch force measurement system for sunroofs, powered window lifters, and tailgates in automotive applications. Targeted at automotive OEMs and Tier-1 closure system suppliers.
• FM 202 Pinch force measurement system for automotive applications. Targeted at automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
• FM 205 Pinch force measurement system for automatic window lifters (powered window lifter applications). Targeted at automotive component suppliers.
• FM 206 Pinch force measurement system for powered window lifters. Targeted at automotive manufacturers and PWL suppliers.
• FM 208 Pinch force measurement device in the FM 200 series for automotive applications. Targeted at automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
• FM 207 Closing force measurement system for automotive windows, tailgates, seats, and sunroofs. Targeted at automotive OEMs and Tier-1 closure system suppliers.
• FM 300 Pinch force measurement system for elevator doors and safety devices on machines. Targeted at elevator manufacturers, building operators, and facility managers.
• FM 300 BT Wireless pinch force measurement system for elevator doors and safety devices on machines with Bluetooth connectivity. Targeted at elevator manufacturers and facility managers.
• PinchPilot Software Proprietary analysis software for measurement data evaluation, report generation, measurement data export, and direct measurement via software, supporting DDE interface, LabView library, and OPC client integration. Targeted at quality and test engineers using Drive Test measurement devices.
• Drive-Pilot-Test-System Universal and flexible test system for testing sun-roof systems, electrical drives, and components with electronic control units (LIN-Bus, CAN-Bus). Targeted at automotive component development labs and end-of-line test stations.
• Calibration Services Professional factory calibration and DAkkS/DKD accredited calibration per DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 for Drive Test measurement devices, with annual calibration recommended for electronic devices and biennial for mechanical devices. Targeted at existing device customers needing compliance and traceability documentation.
• Training Services Tailored training sessions covering theoretical principles, practical application, and standard compliance for Drive Test force measurement devices and test systems. Targeted at customer engineering and quality teams.

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PCE InstrumentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022In 2022, Drive Test GmbH became a subsidiary of PCE Instruments. PCE Instruments is a parent company that sells over 600 different measuring instruments worldwide, with headquarters in Meschede, Germany. PCE Instruments operates multiple distribution subsidiaries across Europe, Americas, and Asia.
• RichFaith (ShangHai) Machinery Co., LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for China. Mr. Leo Sun manages operations from 4th Floor, #12 Building, No. 4855 Guangfulin Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201616, PRC.
• Shenzhen Olywell Technology Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for China. Mr. Jack Zhang manages operations from Rm2303, Block B, Tingquanju, No.36 Antuoshan 6th Rd, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Post code: 518040.
• S.I. InstrumentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Australia and New Zealand. Located at 256 South Road, Hilton SA 5033, GPO Box 1530, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia.
• CFE/TeyacemminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for France. Located at 9, rue des Haras – 92737 NANTERRE, FR69 39856205800022 – RCS NANTERRE.
• PM InstrumentationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for France. Located at 59 Rue Emile Deschanel, 92400 Courbevoie, France.
• JL Seagull Power ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for India. Located at 5, Nana Street, T. Nagar, Chennai, 600017, India.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kistler Group: Kistler develops precision sensors, measurement systems, and testing solutions for automotive, rail, and industrial applications. Its force, electrical-drive, drivetrain, and safety-related test capabilities overlap with Drive Test's sensor-based test systems for automotive and railway manufacturers.
• HBK: HBK supplies force, torque, electrical, acoustic, and data-acquisition systems used in product development, validation, and production. It is comparable as a broad measurement and testing incumbent serving automotive, rail, and other engineered-product customers.
• PCE Instruments: PCE Instruments is Drive Test's parent company and sells more than 600 measurement instruments through an international distribution network. It is directly comparable in force, vibration, temperature, flow, radiation, and general industrial test equipment, although its portfolio is substantially broader.

Direct peers

• NI: NI offers modular hardware and software for automated test, measurement, and control, including substantial automotive and transportation applications. It is a relevant scaled peer because both companies integrate sensors, control buses, test workflows, and software into engineering environments.
• FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology: FUTEK designs and manufactures load cells, force and torque sensors, signal-conditioning electronics, and test instruments. It is comparable to Drive Test's sensor-based force measurement systems, including electronic measurement, data capture, and specialized application hardware.
• Mecmesin: Mecmesin manufactures force and torque test instruments, motorized test stands, and quality-control systems. Its portable force measurement products and configurable test setups are closely comparable to Drive Test's pinch-force gauges and automated closing-system test equipment.
• Dewesoft: Dewesoft produces portable data-acquisition and measurement instruments with software for automotive, power, industrial, and structural testing. It is comparable through its combination of measurement hardware, analysis software, global sales, and target customers validating complex mechanical and electrical systems.
• imc Test & Measurement: imc Test & Measurement provides data-acquisition and integrated test systems for automotive, rail, batteries, and mechatronic components. Its hardware-and-software test platform and engineering customer base closely resemble Drive Test's integrated measurement systems and bus integrations.
• Sauter Testing: Sauter Testing develops force measurement devices, load cells, test benches, and software for industrial quality assurance. Its force-testing instruments and integrated test solutions serve a similar engineering and compliance-testing role to Drive Test's closing-force measurement systems.
• MARK-10: MARK-10 supplies force and torque measurement gauges, test stands, and software for quality assurance and production testing. It is a direct product-level analogue to Drive Test's wired and wireless force-measurement instruments and accessories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DriveTestGmbH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drive-test-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Drive Test