Ansible Design

What Ansible Design does

Ansible Design Limited is a privately held UK engineering software firm founded in 1998 that develops simulation and data analysis tools for professional motorsport teams and constructors. Its core offering is the Aero Studio suite, comprising AeroLap (quasi-static lap time simulation with over 200 data channels), AeroSusp (3D suspension geometry and kinematics), AeroContour (aerodynamic ride height data visualisation using natural neighbour interpolation), and AeroCool (steady-state cooling system heat balance modelling). Products are integrated so that AeroContour and AeroSusp export data directly into AeroLap, and the company also offers DLTS — a collaborative product with Dallara Automobili that bundles AeroLap with factory-validated car data packs — plus bespoke software/hardware development for clients including Formula One, IndyCar, MotoGP and F3 teams, and Xtrac Limited.

The business operates a hybrid revenue model: one-time software licences (with DK2 hardware dongles and licence keys) plus annual support contracts that are mandatory for running the latest versions, supplemented by professional services for bespoke engineering projects. Distribution is primarily direct via the company website (with downloadable demos and upgrades), with Energy Balance acting as exclusive North American distributor and Dallara as an OEM-style channel for DLTS. The simulation engine is exposed as an ActiveX component, enabling integration with Excel, MATLAB, Visual Basic and tools such as modeFRONTIER for parameter sweeps and optimisation workflows. The firm has 11-50 employees across a primary operational address in Woking and a registered office in London, and has operated without external venture funding since inception.

Strategically, Ansible is a long-tenured specialist occupying a narrow vertical with a small global customer base; its growth lever is product line extension (AeroView and acSurface are in development or planned) and deeper OEM embedding via Dallara, rather than horizontal expansion into adjacent verticals or geographies.

Name

Ansible Design

Legal name

Ansible Design Limited

Website

https://ansibledesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ansible Design Limited, founded in 1998 in the UK, develops the Aero Studio simulation and data analysis suite — including AeroLap, AeroSusp, AeroContour, and AeroCool — for professional motorsport teams and constructors, with an OEM collaboration via Dallara's DLTS product.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: Commercial software products including AeroLap, AeroSusp, AeroContour, and AeroCool sold with licence keys and DK2 dongles. Customers require support contracts to run latest versions.
2. Support Contracts: One year of support included with purchase, with additional term support contracts available. Support contracts are required for customers to run the latest software versions.
3. Bespoke Software Development: Custom software and hardware development projects ranging from 1 man week to 3 man years. Projects have included wind tunnel data analysis, control systems, and telemetry analysis suites.
4. OEM Partnership (Dallara DLTS): Collaborative product with Dallara Automobili - Dallara Lap Time Simulation (DLTS) based on AeroLap, distributed with Dallara data packs for Dallara car models.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Ansible Design develops and sells commercial simulation and data analysis software (the Aero Studio suite) for professional motorsport teams and constructors. The core products include AeroLap (quasi-static lap time simulation), AeroContour (aerodynamic ride height data visualization), AeroSusp (3D suspension kinematics), AeroCool (cooling system heat balance), and DLTS (a Dallara-branded variant of AeroLap). The company also undertakes bespoke software/hardware development projects and consultancy for motorsport clients ranging from F3 to Formula One teams.

Product overview

Ansible Design provides a suite of simulation and data analysis software tools for motorsport professionals. The core product line is called Aero Studio, consisting of integrated applications: AeroLap (lap time simulation), AeroContour (aerodynamic data visualization), AeroSusp (suspension kinematics), and AeroCool (cooling system simulation). These products work together—AeroContour resamples wind tunnel data for use by AeroLap, AeroSusp exports suspension geometry data to AeroLap, and AeroCool models cooling systems. DLTS (Dallara Lap Time Simulation) is a collaborative product with Dallara Automobili based on AeroLap. The company also offers bespoke software/hardware development and consultancy services for clients ranging from F3 teams to Formula One constructors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AeroLap Stand-alone quasi-static lap time simulation tool for predicting and analysing the maximum performance of race cars and fast road cars over a defined track path. Uses complex multi-layered physics and driver models with non-linear components, providing over 200 data channels. Sold to professional motorsport teams via licence and DK2 dongle.
• AeroContour Data visualisation and processing tool for aerodynamic ride height data from wind tunnels. Generates contour plots, extends and resamples irregular ride height maps, and extracts real aero characteristics from aero maps for use in simulation tools.
• AeroSusp 3D suspension geometry and kinematics analysis tool for designers creating suspension systems and race engineers tuning existing systems. Exports suspension data files readable by AeroLap.
• AeroCool Steady-state heat balance simulation tool for modelling race car cooling systems. Sizes oil and water heat exchangers, compares matrix core efficiency, predicts coolant temperatures, and defines intake aerodynamic efficiency requirements.
• DLTS (Dallara Lap Time Simulation) Performance simulation tool developed collaboratively between Dallara Automobili and Ansible Design, based on AeroLap technology and bundled with Dallara car data packs validated by the factory.
• Bespoke Software and Hardware Development Custom software and hardware development projects for motorsport clients, including wind tunnel data analysis, control systems, telemetry analysis suites, and test rig automation. Clients have included F1 teams, Xtrac Limited, IRL teams, MotoGP and F3 teams.
• Consultancy Services Expert technical consultancy services for motorsport professionals requiring specialized analysis and simulation expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Making state of the art technology available at a much lower cost and far quicker than creating it from scratch

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Energy BalancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnergy Balance serves as the exclusive North American distributor for Ansible Design products. For enquiries in North America, customers contact Energy Balance at [email protected].
• Dallara AutomobilicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative product development resulting in Dallara Lap Time Simulation (DLTS), a performance simulation tool based on AeroLap technology. Dallara provides validated data packs for their car models and supports the data packs while Ansible Design supports the software.
• Xtrac LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnsible Design specified and built the control, data acquisition and test executive software for the Xtrac Differential Test Rig and Four Square Test Rig.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cruden B.V. Cruden supplies professional motorsport driving simulators and open-source vehicle dynamics simulation tools (e.g., AMS / ePhyse). It overlaps with Ansible in race-car simulation and dynamics tooling.
• VI-Grade: VI-Grade delivers driving simulators (DiM) and vehicle dynamics software (VI-CarRealTime, VI-MotionCams) for automotive and motorsport. It competes in lap-time and vehicle dynamics simulation served by Ansible's Aero Studio suite.
• Mechanical Simulation Corporation: Mechanical Simulation produces CarSim, TruckSim and BikeSim, the dominant vehicle dynamics simulation tools in motorsport and automotive engineering. It is a direct competitor in the vehicle dynamics / lap-time simulation space served by AeroLap and AeroSusp.
• ChassisSim Technologies: ChassisSim offers vehicle dynamics simulation software used by professional race teams and OEMs for lap-time and handling analysis. It directly overlaps with AeroLap's quasi-static lap-time simulation use case.
• OptimumG: OptimumG provides vehicle dynamics analysis and simulation software (OptimumKinematics, OptimumLap) for motorsport and automotive performance engineering. It competes head-to-head with Ansible's AeroLap and AeroSusp in the same lap-time and suspension kinematics category.

Broad incumbents

• AVL List GmbH: AVL is a global mobility engineering and simulation powerhouse (CRUISE M, AVL VSM) serving motorsport and automotive. It competes in vehicle dynamics and powertrain simulation adjacent to Ansible's tools.
• Cosworth: Cosworth is a long-established motorsport electronics, data acquisition and engine control company whose tooling competes with Ansible's bespoke test-rig and telemetry work, and which broadly serves the same F1/IndyCar/WEC customer base.
• McLaren Applied Technologies: McLaren Applied provides motorsport-derived simulation, electronics, and analytics (including F1 simulator IP) for automotive and motorsport customers. It is a larger incumbent in motorsport simulation overlapping with Ansible's customer base.
• IPG Automotive: IPG Automotive (CarMaker, TruckMaker) supplies virtual test driving and vehicle dynamics simulation for OEMs and motorsport, broadly competing in the same simulation category as Ansible's AeroLap.

Emerging players

• AB Dynamics: AB Dynamics provides track testing robots, ADAS test equipment, and vehicle dynamics simulation software (aVPro, CarMaker-style tools) for automotive and motorsport. It is adjacent to Ansible's simulation/test-rig automation work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 Ansible Design