What Novel Electronics does

Novel Electronics (legal name: novel electronics inc., DBA "novel USA") is the wholly-owned North American subsidiary of novel gmbh (Munich, Germany) and operates as the exclusive regional distributor for the parent's pressure and mobile force measurement systems across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Founded in North America in 1987 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company employs 11–50 people and runs a sales-led, direct engagement model where customers request quotes via email or phone and receive personalized consultation to specify the right system for their application.

The company's portfolio is built around proprietary capacitive sensor technology developed over more than 45 years by the parent group. Pressure measurement systems include emed® (barefoot pressure distribution platforms with 6,912–25,344 sensors at ±5% accuracy), pedar® (in-shoe pressure measurement, upgraded in 2024 with new plidar® electronics supporting Wi-Fi streaming up to 400 Hz and 54 g form factor), pliance® (elastic sensor mats for soft and curved surfaces), and manugraphy® (per-finger hand grip force measurement). Mobile force measurement systems include loadsol® (ultra-thin in-shoe textile sensors with Bluetooth LE and optional 6-axis IMU), loadpad® (Bluetooth LE force sensors for saddle, stirrup, manual therapy, and assistive-device applications), buttonsens® and loadglove® (finger/palm force sensors), and texsens® (garment-pressure measurement). Supporting accessories include trublu® calibration devices and loadsync® TTL synchronization modules, paired with proprietary scientific software (E-Expert, Recorder, Novel Scientific Studio).

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of these measurement systems, bundled with client-specific scientific software licensed on a one-time basis, plus ongoing support and maintenance that is described as recurring (unlimited phone/email/web support for the life of the product). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customers span five horizontal segments: research institutions and universities (biomechanics, sports science), clinical and healthcare providers (gait assessment, diabetic foot, rehabilitation), footwear and sports equipment manufacturers (Nike, Adidas, Apple), seating and mobility (automotive, wheelchair, prosthetics), and textile/garment manufacturers. Named end users include NASA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, West Point, MIT, Virginia Tech, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Name

Novel Electronics

Legal name

novel electronics inc.

Website

https://novelusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Novel Electronics is the North American subsidiary and exclusive regional distributor of novel gmbh, selling proprietary capacitive pressure and mobile force measurement systems (emed®, pedar®, loadsol®, pliance®) to research universities, clinical providers, and footwear and apparel manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pressure and Force Measurement Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement) (IMAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells) (HDAHALAB), Smart Fitness & Training Devices (Connected Fitness Sensors, Smart Jump Ropes, etc.) (CRACAQAH)

Keywords

• Pressure measurement systems
• Force measurement sensors
• Capacitive sensor technology
• Biomechanics measurement equipment
• In-shoe pressure analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Pennsylvania Furnace

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Measurement Systems): Sale of pressure and force measurement hardware including emed platforms, pedar in-shoe systems, pliance sensors, loadsol insoles, loadpad, buttonsens, and texsens. Products are sold directly with consultation to determine correct system for application.
2. Scientific Software: Data collection and scientific analysis software for novel pressure systems. Software is client-specific and provided with product purchases. Includes real-time feedback capabilities and synchronization with video systems.
3. Support and Maintenance Services: Unlimited phone, email and web-based support provided for the life of the product. Includes software downloads, driver updates, and technical assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Novel Electronics designs, manufactures, and sells capacitive-sensor-based pressure and mobile force measurement systems used for biomechanics research, clinical assessment, and product development. The portfolio includes platforms for barefoot pressure mapping (emed), in-shoe pressure analysis (pedar), soft-surface pressure measurement (pliance), hand-grip force measurement (manugraphy), and mobile in-shoe force sensing (loadsol, loadpad, buttonsens, texsens). The company sells hardware together with client-specific scientific software, calibration accessories, and lifetime technical support to enterprises, research institutions, healthcare providers, and footwear developers primarily in North America.

Product overview

Novel Electronics offers a comprehensive portfolio of pressure and mobile force measurement systems, organized into two main categories: Pressure Measurement Systems (emed®, pedar®, pliance®, manugraphy®) and Mobile Force Measurement Systems (loadsol®, loadpad®, buttonsens®, texsens®). All products utilize high-quality calibrated capacitive sensors with outstanding scientific software for analysis and reporting. The core technology centers on measuring contact forces between various surfaces (hand-tool, foot-shoe, buttock-seat, tire-ground) with wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE. New plidar® electronics upgrade the pedar® system with enhanced mobility. Supporting accessories include trublu® calibration devices and loadsync® synchronization modules. The product portfolio serves research, clinical, and industrial applications in biomechanics, orthopaedics, sports science, prosthetics, and footwear development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• art in science®: novel's motto and trademark expressing the company's belief that excellent science is also a piece of art.
• plidar®
• trublu®

Products and services

• emed® Barefoot pressure distribution measurement platform with calibrated capacitive sensors (6,912 to 25,344 sensors, 100 Hz, ±5% accuracy) used for static and dynamic foot function analysis, diagnosis of foot pathologies, and detection of foot deformities.
• pedar® In-shoe pressure distribution measuring system that monitors local loads between foot and shoe using plidar electronics with Wi-Fi data streaming up to 400 Hz, on-board storage up to 70 hours, and sensor insoles available in European sizes 22-51 with 84 or 99 sensors.
• pliance® Pressure measurement system for measuring load distribution between varying soft and curved surfaces using capacitive transducers in matrix configuration with elastic sensor mats that conform to 3D deformations and individual calibration curves per sensor.
• manugraphy® Hand grip force measurement diagnostic system that measures individual finger force as well as phalanges separately, enabling partitioning of the measurement area for each finger and palm.
• loadsol® Mobile in-shoe force measurement system using ultra-thin textile sensors with 1, 2, or 3 sensor areas, up to 200 Hz frequency, Bluetooth LE 4.2/5 and micro USB transmission, >500 hours on-board storage, and 6-axis IMU with accelerometer and gyroscope.
• loadpad® Mobile force measurement sensor that accurately assesses total force even if heterogeneously loaded, with wireless Bluetooth LE connection to smartphones providing real-time feedback. Available in standard and custom sizes including MT (manual therapy), rider's saddle, stirrup pads, and AD (assistive device) versions.
• buttonsens® Force sensor using capacitive textile sensors to measure normal force on fingers; attaches to finger or thumb with wireless Bluetooth LE connectivity for ergonomics, manufacturing quality control, and biomechanics applications.
• texsens® Mobile load measurement device for the textile and garment industry measuring very low contact pressures under compression clothing, using a capacitive sensor with loadpad electronics to detect very low pressures during body movement.
• loadglove® Force measurement glove using a loadpad sensor for the palm and 1-13 buttonsens sensors for the fingers to measure forces across the palm and fingers simultaneously for mobile applications in ergonomics, manufacturing quality control, and biomechanics.
• Scientific Software Client-specific data collection and scientific analysis software for novel pressure systems, including the E-Expert package for raw pressure/force data access, Recorder software for synchronized video capture, and Novel Scientific Studio for PC/Mac-based data evaluation.

Quantifiable outcome

• emed® accuracy: ±5% ZAS
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• National Biomechanics DaycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 February 2025Novel is a proud partner of National Biomechanics Day 2025. The partnership includes the Listen to Your Feet loadsol® pro contest, where researchers submit abstracts on using loadsol pro for biofeedback in everyday settings. The winner receives three pairs of loadsol pro for implementation at NBD events. This partnership promotes biomechanics education and novel technology adoption in academic institutions.
• novel gmbhflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovel gmbh, headquartered in Munich, Germany (founded 1978 by Peter Seitz), is the parent company and global headquarters. The North American office in Pittsburgh works closely with novel gmbh to provide innovative, accurate, and reliable solutions. novel gmbh provides the core technology, product development, and global brand while the North American office handles regional sales, distribution, and support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• novel gmbh (parent): Parent company and global manufacturer of the same capacitive sensor platforms; functions as the broader incumbent serving EMEA and APAC while novel electronics inc. covers North America.
• Kistler Group: Established industrial sensor incumbent with piezoelectric and force measurement platforms; overlaps with novel in high-precision force/pressure sensing, particularly for engineering, biomechanics, and automotive test applications.

Direct peers

• Zebris Medical: Direct peer supplying instrumented treadmill pressure measurement and gait analysis systems used in orthopedics, rehabilitation, and sports biomechanics — overlapping with novel's pedar/emed/loadsol use cases.
• Sensor Medica: Direct competitor producing in-shoe and platform pressure mapping systems for gait analysis, diabetic foot assessment, and posturology — the same clinical and biomechanics verticals novel targets.
• XSensor Technology (Pressure Profile Systems): Direct peer providing capacitive tactile pressure sensors and pressure imaging systems for clinical, ergonomic, and automotive seating applications, closely overlapping with novel's emed, pliance, and loadpad product lines.
• Tekscan (F-Scan in-shoe system): Tekscan's F-Scan system is the most direct substitute for novel's pedar and loadsol products in footwear R&D, diabetic foot assessment, and gait labs.
• Tekscan: Direct competitor offering pressure mapping and force measurement systems (e.g., F-Scan in-shoe, MatScan) used in the same biomechanics, clinical gait, and footwear R&D markets that novel serves.

Emerging players

• Noraxon: Adjacent competitor in biomechanics research tools (EMG, IMU, video synchronisation) that increasingly bundles motion and load data workflows targeting the same universities and sports-science labs as novel.
• BTS Bioengineering: Provider of gait analysis, motion capture, and wearable IMU systems for clinical and sports markets, increasingly competing for the same biomechanics research budgets as novel's pressure platforms.
• Vicon Motion Systems: Marker-based motion capture provider whose biomechanics ecosystem integrates with third-party force/pressure sensors; represents both an integration partner and a potential substitute for novel's instrumented platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/novel_usa
• Facebookfacebook.com/novelusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Novel Electronics