What Hentschel System does

Hentschel System GmbH is a family-owned measurement-technology company headquartered in Hannover, Germany (Carl-Buderus-Straße 5), founded in 1976 and operating as a privately held GmbH with 11-50 employees. The company designs and manufactures precision hardware and proprietary software for specialized industrial measurement applications — speed and velocity measurement (light barriers and evaluation units covering near-zero to supersonic speeds), crash-test infrastructure and data-acquisition (control cabinets, camera systems, insulation testers, DTi Control Software compliant with ISO/TS 13499), tire testing (Portable and Continuous Friction Testers, Digitalker III voice-controlled test guidance, ultrasonic water-depth meters, weather stations), geological exploration (encapsulated borehole radar probes, multi-channel radar systems), and unmanned-vehicle / autonomous-systems solutions (RTK-GNSS-IMU positioning, Ziesel robotic platform, automotive Ethernet switches, deep-learning-based computer vision). More than 75% of production value is created in-house at the company-owned Hannover facility, and operations are DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certified. A 2011-2014 transfer of DTi Messtechnik to Kistler reshaped the crash-test business into a component-supply and integration relationship.

The company sells through a direct, sales-led model: quote-based, multi-year contracts for custom-engineered solutions, supplemented by one-time software licensing (e.g., DTi Control Software) and professional services spanning consultation, planning, implementation, worldwide commissioning, calibration, and training in German and English. Customer segments are predominantly large enterprise and institutional — automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers (Continental, Sumitomo, Kistler), tire manufacturers, energy and research facilities, defense and security organizations (Diehl, plus German federal agencies via the USBV-Inspektor program), independent testing institutes (TÜV Nord), and academic partners (Leibniz Universität Hannover, Fraunhofer). Anchor scale signals — 100,000 annual braking operations at Continental's AIBA facility and 120,000+ annual elevator inspections at TÜV Nord using ASIS II — evidence durable, deeply embedded commercial relationships rather than transactional volume.

Hentschel has no external investors or public funding, no disclosed revenue figures, and no subsidiaries. Since 2014 it has been led solely by Dr.-Ing. Matthias Hentschel as Managing Director, with co-founder Dr.-Ing. Michael Hentschel serving as Senior Technology Adviser. The company's near-term strategic posture balances legacy measurement-engineering cash flows against incremental diversification into unmanned-vehicle hardware and AI-assisted computer-vision integration.

Name

Hentschel System

Legal name

Hentschel System GmbH

Website

https://hentschel-system.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hentschel System GmbH is a family-owned Hannover-based engineering firm (founded 1976, 11-50 employees) that designs, manufactures, and commissions precision measurement hardware and software — including speed light barriers, crash-test infrastructure, tire and friction testers, geological radar systems, and unmanned-vehicle/AI-enabled instrumentation — for enterprise customers in automotive, tire, energy, research, defense, and independent-testing markets worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Measurement Technology

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

Keywords

• Precision measurement technology
• Automotive crash test systems
• Tire friction measurement
• Geological exploration radar
• Unmanned vehicle robotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary measurement instruments including light barriers, friction testers, crash test equipment, geological exploration systems, and autonomous vehicle components. Products range from standardized units to fully custom-engineered solutions.
2. Software Solutions: Proprietary software including DTi Control Software for crash test management, measurement control programs, and specialized application software. Includes configuration, data storage, and ISO MME dataset generation.
3. Professional Services: Consulting, planning, implementation, commissioning, and after-sales services including calibration, maintenance, on-site installation, and employee training worldwide in German and English.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Hentschel System GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells proprietary hardware and software for measurement, data acquisition, and control technology in specialized industrial applications. Core offerings include precision light barriers for speed measurement, crash test infrastructure and software, tire and road friction measurement instruments, multi-channel radar systems for geological exploration, and RTK-GNSS-IMU positioning systems for unmanned vehicles. The company covers the full value chain from development and construction through procurement, documentation, shipping, service, and calibration.

Product overview

Hentschel System GmbH is a measurement technology company founded in 1976, offering hardware and software solutions for measurement applications across six core product categories: Geschwindigkeit (Speed measurement with precision light barriers 203.10/203.2/203.3/203.4 and Messzähler 373 evaluation units), Crashtest (infrastructure components, camera technology, insulation testers, and DTi Control Software), Reifen (tire testing with Portable Friction Tester, Continuous Friction Tester, Digitalker III, UWT 275 water depth meter, and MeteoStat396 weather station), Geologische Exploration (Sonde 330, Mehrkanalradarsystem 362, Digitalisierungseinheit 362), Unbemannte Fahrzeuge (RTK-GNSS-IMU, Automotive Ethernet Switch, Controllable Power Supply, and Ziesel robotic platform with Deep Learning integration), and Sonderentwicklungen (custom developments including AIBA test facility, Asis II elevator testing, MSC3001 antenna positioning, NASAT flight target systems). The company also provides AI/Deep Learning services for autonomous vehicles and robotic applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Präzisions-Messlichtschranke 203.10 (Precision Light Barrier) Precision light barrier for speed measurement of moving objects with measurement distances up to 60mm, featuring fork design with fiber optic and receiver element for positioning tasks.
• Präzisions-Messlichtschranke 203.2 (Precision Light Barrier) Light barrier for speed measurement of moving objects with measurement distances up to 500mm, consisting of light transmitter and receiver components.
• Präzisions-Messlichtschranke 203.3 (Precision Light Barrier) Light barrier for large measurement distances up to 6m at test stands with vehicle passage, featuring modulated infrared light transmission.
• Präzisions-Messlichtschranke 203.4 (Precision Light Barrier) Light barrier system for measuring very high velocities of projectiles from near 0m/s to multiple supersonic speeds, compliant with German Beschussverordnung for ballistic laboratories.
• Messzähler 373 (Evaluation Unit) Evaluation unit with real-time clock for precise time and speed measurements, compatible with all light barriers, featuring 1µsec resolution and 1000 measurement value storage.
• Testanlage AIBA (Automated Indoor Braking Analyzer) Automatic tire test facility for Continental enabling 100,000 braking operations annually; unmanned test vehicles accelerated to 120 km/h and braked on hydraulic interchangeable road surfaces under climate simulation.
• Aufzugsprüfsystem Asis II (Elevator Inspection System) Measurement system used by TÜV Nord for annual elevator safety inspections, determining safety characteristics without test weights; over 120,000 tests conducted annually.
• Antennenverstellung MSC3001 (Antenna Positioning System) Measurement Control System for precise alignment of large antennas up to 50m diameter, used for Galileo satellite navigation ground station alignment.
• Flugzieldarstellung NASAT (Aerial Target Display System) Navigation Based System for Aerial Targeting providing realistic flight target simulation for German military pilot training, recording images, radio communications, and mission data.
• Portable Friction Tester (PFT) Mobile measurement device for determining friction coefficient of road surfaces, measuring static and sliding friction using a rubber probe accelerated via linear drive up to 2m/s with triaxial force sensor.
• Continuous Friction Tester (CFT) Mobile friction measurement device for continuous road surface friction using a slipping test wheel per ASTM E1844 standards, push-operated at 2-3 km/h.
• Digitalker III Voice-controlled system for standard tire tests guiding drivers through tests, automatically storing and evaluating measurements with climate condition documentation.
• Ultraschall-Wassertiefen-Messgerät UWT 275 (Ultrasonic Water Depth Meter) Ultrasonic water depth measurement device for aquaplaning tests, featuring 0.1mm resolution, GPS position recording, and Google Earth integration.
• Wetterstation MeteoStat396 (Weather Station) Weather station for capturing ground temperature, air temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, and wind speed for tire test condition documentation.
• Crash Infrastruktur (Crash Test Infrastructure) Crash test infrastructure components including control cabinets, drag cables, control station boxes, and ComBox for vehicle-side distribution of power, clock, and trigger signals.
• Kameratechnik (Crash Test Camera Technology) Onboard and offboard camera systems with gigabit data transfer, available in crash-safe variants, synchronized with measurement technology via control station timing signals.
• Isolationstester (Insulation Tester) Insulation tester for electric and hybrid vehicle crash tests ensuring high-voltage battery power separation and measuring voltage drop and insulation resistance.
• DTi Control Software Software controlling crash test setup, verification, execution, and data storage including ISO MME dataset generation per ISO/TS 13499 specifications.
• Sonde 330 (Radar Probe) Radar probe for near-surface exploration in salt rock, fully encapsulated with magnetic activation, Bluetooth communication, and integrated position sensor for borehole measurement.
• Mehrkanalradarsystem 362 (Multi-Channel Radar System) Multi-channel radar system enabling 3D measurement representation with up to 4 acquisition units and 16 transmitters for transmission measurements.
• Digitalisierungseinheit 362 (Data Acquisition Unit) Data acquisition unit for recorded probe data with Bluetooth communication and distance measurement capability for tunnel thickness determination.
• RTK-GNSS-IMU High-precision device for position and motion determination combining GNSS data, 2 GPS antennas, and inertial sensors achieving centimeter-level accuracy with ROS driver integration.
• Automotive Ethernet Switch (100BASE-T1 zu 1000BASE-T) Ethernet switch enabling communication between truck tractor and trailer via twisted pair two-wire line with 4 Automotive Ethernet ports and 3 office Ethernet ports.
• Controllable Power Supply Compact, cascadable voltage distributor with 8 outputs switchable via CAN-Bus, featuring voltage supply monitoring and current measurement for connected devices.
• Roboterplattform Ziesel (Robotic Platform) Off-road robotic platform based on Mattro's tracked electric vehicle, retrofitted with 3D laser scanners, stereo and thermal cameras, RTK-GNSS-IMU for autonomous terrain navigation.
• Künstliche Intelligenz / Deep Learning Services Deep Learning consulting and integration services for computer vision applications including 3D Object Detection, Semantic Segmentation, Human Pose Estimation, gesture recognition, and voice control for unmanned vehicles and robotics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Self-test capability ensures correct measurement chain verification before each measurement
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• KistlermajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology transfer of DTi measurement technology (crash test measurement systems) to Kistler between 2011-2014. Hentschel developed DTi Messtechnik which was sold to Kistler. Hentschel continues to manufacture components for crash infrastructure, camera technology, isolation testers, and DTi control software for Kistler equipment.
• TÜV NordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for ASIS II elevator inspection technology. TÜV Nord conducts 120,000+ annual tests using Hentschel-developed measurement boxes. Partnership includes WiFi module upgrade (2017) for wireless data transfer. Major reference customer demonstrating scale and reliability.
• ContinentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIBA (Automated Indoor Braking Analyzer) automated tire testing facility developed and operational at Continental. Hentschel provides control technology, braking robots, emergency braking systems, and Digitalker III data acquisition. Facility conducts 100,000 annual braking operations.
• Landeskriminalamt Nordrhein-WestfalenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMBF-funded research project (2012-2017) 'Forschung für die zivile Sicherheit' developing multimodal sensor system for unidentified suspicious packages (USBV - unconventional explosive devices). Hentschel provides data visualization for real-time threat assessment.
• Leibniz Universität HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in USBV-Inspektor research consortium developing multimodal sensor systems for security applications with real-time data visualization.
• Fraunhofer InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in USBV-Inspektor BMBF project contributing to multimodal sensor system development for civilian security applications.
• BundeskriminalamtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated partner in USBV-Inspektor research project providing requirements and use case validation for multimodal sensor systems.
• BundespolizeiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated partner in USBV-Inspektor research project for security applications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rohde & Schwarz: German-headquartered electronics group offering T&M instruments, secure communications, and radiolocation systems. Compares on the test & measurement and aerospace/defense segments (overlapping with Hentschel's Galileo ground-station and radar exploration work) but at significantly greater scale.
• National Instruments (NI, now Emerson Test & Measurement): Large incumbent in modular test, measurement, and data acquisition hardware/software. Overlaps with Hentschel's data acquisition and control technology for automotive, aerospace, and research customers, but serves a much broader industrial customer base as a general-purpose platform.
• SICK AG: German-headquartered global leader in industrial sensors and measurement solutions, including light barriers, distance sensors, and machine vision. Compares on the precision light-barrier / optical speed measurement product family and serves overlapping industrial customers, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• AVL List GmbH: Austrian developer of powertrain and vehicle testing systems, including automated brake and tire test rigs. Directly comparable in delivering turn-key tire/brake test facilities (similar to AIBA) and measurement instrumentation to global automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers.
• Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Global supplier of test, measurement, and sound & vibration solutions, with strong presence in automotive, aerospace, and industrial testing. Closely comparable in offering precision sensors, data acquisition, and analysis software to engineering customers across crash, NVH, and structural test applications.
• HORIBA: Japanese manufacturer of measurement and analysis instruments with a major automotive test systems business. Comparable in providing tire/brake/road friction test equipment, exhaust measurement, and vehicle dynamics instrumentation to global automotive customers.
• Kistler Group: Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of dynamic measurement technology for automotive crash testing, vehicle dynamics, and engine development. Directly comparable as a precision measurement specialist serving the same automotive OEM and tier-1 customer base, and notably the acquirer of Hentschel's DTi Messtechnik crash-test technology.
• GeneSys Elektronik GmbH: German manufacturer of high-precision GNSS/IMU inertial measurement systems for automotive test, ADAS development, and rail applications. Closely comparable in product offering (RTK/IMU positioning), customer base, and DACH regional presence.
• dSPACE: Provider of simulation and validation solutions for connected, autonomous, and electrified vehicles, headquartered in Germany. Comparable as a development-tools supplier for automotive ECU, ADAS, and autonomous-vehicle development, addressing overlapping OEM and tier-1 customers with embedded software and hardware platforms.
• Oxford Technical Solutions (OxTS): UK-based specialist in GNSS-aided inertial navigation systems for vehicle testing, ADAS, and autonomous vehicle development. Directly comparable to Hentschel's RTK-GNSS-IMU product and shares the autonomous-vehicle and automotive testing customer base.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hentschel-system-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Hentschel System