IGMR - RWTH Aachen University

What IGMR - RWTH Aachen University does

IGMR (Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics) is a research institute within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, a public German technical university. Founded in 1959 and operating with 57 employees from Eilfschornsteinstr. 18, 52062 Aachen, IGMR integrates three research pillars — mechanism theory, machine dynamics, and robotics — to develop simulation methods, optimization algorithms, and physical prototypes for industrial and academic applications.

Its technical portfolio spans multibody simulation with flexibly modeled elastic bodies, kinematic and dynamic optimization of parallel kinematic machines (notably Delta robots via the PAJAKO project), haptic feedback systems (RePlaLink), ML-based vibration analysis for condition monitoring, and human-robot collaboration research including inclusive workplace design (IIDEA, HRC Ford). The institute operates an in-house prototype mechanical workshop with CNC and additive manufacturing capabilities and runs the S-COAR Service-Center of Advanced Robotic as a structured industry-facing service. Education offerings include the M.Sc. Robotic Systems Engineering program, doctoral supervision, the ROS Skill-Building Course, and a MOOC on machine dynamics.

IGMR does not sell commercial products; revenue is generated through publicly funded research grants (DFG, DAAD, AIF, EU Horizon Europe), RWTH Aachen University institutional funding, and bespoke industrial cooperation contracts delivered via the institute's Corporate Relations office. Its primary customer segments are industrial partners (Ford-Werke GmbH, VOITH), academic and research institutions (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Izmir Institute of Technology, ITA RWTH), and students and doctoral researchers. Strategic partnerships with Tokyo Institute of Technology, Izmir Institute of Technology, Ford-Werke, and VOITH, together with participation in the Cluster of Excellence Internet of Production, provide its principal distribution and ecosystem channels.

Name

IGMR - RWTH Aachen University

Legal name

Institut für Getriebetechnik, Maschinendynamik und Robotik (IGMR) | Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics at RWTH Aachen University

Website

https://igmr.rwth-aachen.de

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IGMR is a public university research institute at RWTH Aachen University that conducts integrated research in mechanism theory, machine dynamics, and robotics, serving industrial partners, academic collaborators, and doctoral students through funded research, contract research, and structured training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Robotics and Machine Dynamics Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Mechatronics Systems & Integration (EDAOAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Consulting, Advisory & Technology Transfer (AM Adoption) (IMAAAJAK), Process & Application Development (DfAM, Parameter Development) (IMAAAJAF)

Keywords

• Mechanism theory research
• Machine dynamics analysis
• Industrial robotics services
• Multibody simulation
• Haptic feedback systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IGMR is a public university research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in mechanism theory, machine dynamics, and robotics, and provides R&D collaboration, contract research, expert opinions, training programs, and prototyping services to industrial partners and academic institutions. Its portfolio includes the M.Sc. Robotic Systems Engineering program, S-COAR robotics service center, RePlaLink haptic feedback technology, and continuing education offerings such as the ROS Skill-Building Course and Machine Dynamics MOOC.

Product overview

IGMR (Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics) at RWTH Aachen University is a research institute offering academic programs, research services, and industrial cooperation. The portfolio includes the M.Sc. Robotic Systems Engineering educational program, the Prototype Mechanical Workshop for prototyping and manufacturing, S-COAR for advanced robotics services, the RePlaLink haptic feedback system for virtual prototype simulation, ROS Skill-Building Course and MOOC for machine dynamics training, and the Robotics Training Program for continuing education. Research projects include IIDEA for inclusive human-robot collaboration and di.monta for automated dismantling. The institute also provides design office services, CAD support, and expert reports for industry partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• S-COAR: Service-Center of Advanced Robotic - providing advanced robotic services
• RePlaLink (Reconfigurable Planar Linkage)
• PAJAKO
• IIDEA

Products and services

• M.Sc. Robotic Systems Engineering

Quantifiable outcome

• Development of Suisui Bot — a low-cost Delta robot test platform for validating vibration reduction methods
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tokyo Institute of Technology — Mechanical Systems Design LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Ongoing research cooperation with the Mechanical Systems Design Laboratory at Tokyo Institute of Technology on Delta robot optimization. Includes mutual exchange of scientific staff and students. Joint projects include PAJAKO (stiffness optimization and mass balancing of Delta robots) funded by the DAAD, with the aim of reducing frame vibrations and enabling full potential of Delta robots in industrial applications.
• Ford-Werke GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborative human-robot workplace redesign at Ford's engine plant in Cologne for employees with disabilities. Ford, RWTH Aachen, and Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR) jointly implemented a unique cobot workplace where a collaborative robot supports workers in assembling Variable Cam Time solenoids. IGMR provided scientific supervision, ergonomic analysis, safety design, and workplace modification.
• ITA Institute for Textile Technology (RWTH Aachen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research on weaving machine vibrations with the Institute for Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen. IGMR contributed vibration analysis, multibody simulation modeling, and optimization algorithms to reduce vibrations and noise in high-speed shedding machines and air jet looms.
• Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLVR co-funded the HRC Ford project, contributing expertise in disability inclusion and workplace accessibility alongside IGMR's robotic and ergonomic research to redesign Ford's Cologne engine plant for workers with disabilities.
• VOITHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on paper rolling machine vibration analysis. VOITH, a leading paper machine manufacturer, partnered with IGMR to investigate and eliminate vibrations in two-drum winders used for cutting and winding paper, where vibrations could lead to roll ejection.
• RWTH Aachen University Cluster of Excellence Internet of Production (IoP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGMR participates in the Cluster of Excellence Internet of Production at RWTH, focusing on agile assembly systems through robot and sensor network cooperation, design of robotic hands for future disassembly scenarios, and Internet of Production principles applied to robotic systems.
• Izmir Institute of Technology (IzTech)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch cooperation under the TWIN-IT-ROMANS project covering physical human-robot interaction systems, function generation synthesis of linkages, and robotics manufacturing. Includes joint seminars and staff exchanges.
• Sharework Project (EU Horizon 2020)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGMR participates in Sharework, a EU-funded project focused on safe, dynamic human-robot collaboration in industrial environments, developing solutions for cobot integration in manufacturing.
• Bots2ReC Project (EU Horizon 2020)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGMR participates in Bots2ReC, a EU-funded robotics project targeting robot-based construction systems.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TU Delft – Delft Robotics Institute: Dutch research consortium covering industrial robotics, mechanism design, and human-robot collaboration; similar model combining fundamental research with industry projects.
• TU Darmstadt – Institute for Mechatronics (Mechatronik im Maschinenbau): German university institute with strong mechatronics and robotics research program, competing for DFG funding and industrial partnerships in similar manufacturing domains.
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – Institute for Anthropomatics and Robotics: University institute covering humanoid robotics, mechanism design, and machine learning for robotic systems with comparable educational programs and research scope.
• Fraunhofer IPA – Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials: Applied research institute focused on manufacturing robotics, vibration analysis, and industrial automation; competing for industry contracts from German manufacturers.
• Fraunhofer IWU – Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology: Fraunhofer institute focused on production technology, robotics, and vibration analysis; overlaps significantly in machine dynamics and Delta robot / parallel kinematic research.
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology – Robotics, Perception and Learning: Top European technical university robotics group; comparable in scale of robotics research output and educational programs at the intersection of mechanics and AI.
• ETH Zurich – Autonomous Systems Lab: Leading European research group in robotics and autonomous systems with comparable research scope in mechanism design, dynamics, and human-robot interaction.
• TU Munich – Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI): Germany's largest university robotics research concentration with overlapping interests in human-robot collaboration, mechanism design, and machine learning for robotics.
• DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics: German national research institute with comparable robotics, mechatronics, and machine dynamics research mandate; competes for the same DFG, EU, and industrial project funding in Germany.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics Research: Industrial incumbent with significant internal R&D in Delta robots, vibration damping, and cobot safety; overlaps with IGMR's PAJAKO Delta robot optimization and Sharework cobot themes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/IGMR-RWTH
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFuRQmFGWr_SFeOrEkAZTUA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/igmr
• Instagraminstagram.com/igmr_rwth

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IGMR - RWTH Aachen University