Symétrie

What Symétrie does

Symétrie is a French precision engineering company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Bouillargues, Occitanie, that designs and manufactures hexapods — six-degrees-of-freedom parallel kinematic positioning systems based on the Stewart platform architecture. Its portfolio is organized into two product families: precision Positioning Hexapods (including SOLANO, BREVA, MAUKA, BORA, PUNA, ZONDA, SIRIUS, KUBAN, JORAN, and SURES), which achieve sub-micrometric resolution down to 50 nm, and dynamic Motion Hexapods (HEGOA, NOTUS, MISTRAL, SIROCCO, and AQUILON), which deliver velocities up to 1 m/s and accelerations of 1 g for flight and vehicle simulation. The hardware is paired with proprietary control software (SYM_Positioning, SYM_Motion, HexaSym Simulator), SDKs for LabVIEW, C++, Python, and EPICS/TANGO research control systems, and a custom systems engineering service for bespoke multi-axis solutions, including vacuum-compatible, cleanroom, outdoor, low-temperature, and non-magnetic variants.

The company's commercial model combines direct enterprise sales from its French headquarters with a network of eight regional distributors covering the USA, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, India, Israel, China, and Taiwan, supported by an active presence at more than a dozen international trade shows annually. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of standard and custom hexapods, software licensing, and recurring after-sales services including installation, commissioning, training, preventive maintenance, warranty extensions, and spare parts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is provided on a quote basis, consistent with the customized industrial equipment nature of the offering.

Symétrie sells into defense (Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, L3Harris, SAAB, KNDS, Naval Group, Dassault Aviation, Safran), aerospace and space (Airbus, NASA/James Webb, Ball Aerospace, Safran Reosc for the ELT M1 telescope), astronomy (NOEMA radio telescope), photonics and semiconductors (ASML, Carl Zeiss), energy (Air Liquide, Technip FMC), big tech and industrial (NVIDIA, Google, Apple, Huawei, Bosch, Stellantis), and research institutions (ESRF, SOLEIL, TNO). The company is privately held, ISO 9001 certified, won the Micron d'Or innovation award at Micronora 2022, and operates with a team of approximately 50 specialized engineers.

Name

Symétrie

Legal name

SYMÉTRIE

Website

https://symetrie.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Symétrie is a French precision engineering firm, founded in 2001, that designs and manufactures hexapod (Stewart platform) positioning and motion simulation systems for defense, aerospace, space, semiconductor, photonics, and research customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bouillargues

HQ country

France

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Positioning Hexapod Sales: Sale of standard positioning hexapod products including Solano, Mauka, Bora, Puna, Breva, Zonda, Sirius, Kuban, Joran, and Sures models
2. Motion Hexapod Sales: Sale of dynamic motion simulation hexapods including Hegoa, Notus, Mistral, Sirocco, and Aquilon models
3. Custom System Development: Design and fabrication of complex custom-made positioning systems tailored to specific customer requirements
4. Software Licenses: Positioning and motion control software including SYM_Positioning, SYM_Motion, and HexaSym simulator
5. Services: After-sales services including installation, commissioning, training, preventive maintenance, warranty extension, assistance contracts, and spare parts

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Symétrie designs, manufactures, and sells precision hexapod (Stewart platform) systems for positioning and motion simulation, available as standard products (positioning hexapods such as SOLANO, MAUKA, BORA, PUNA, BREVA, ZONDA, SIRIUS, KUBAN, JORAN, SURES, and motion hexapods such as HEGOA, NOTUS, MISTRAL, SIROCCO, AQUILON) as well as custom-engineered systems. Offerings are complemented by proprietary control software (SYM_Positioning, SYM_Motion, HexaSym Simulator), a dedicated hexapod controller, and after-sales services including installation, training, maintenance, and spare parts.

Product overview

Symétrie is a specialist in precision hexapods (Stewart platform parallel kinematic machines) founded in 2001, headquartered in Bouillargues, France, with over 50 engineers and a global distributor network. Its product portfolio consists of two main hexapod families — (1) Positioning Hexapods for precision alignment and sub-micrometric positioning: SOLANO (ultra-compact, 50 nm resolution), MAUKA (small diameter), BORA, PUNA, BREVA, BREVA S (37% more compact variant), ZONDA, SIRIUS, KUBAN, JORAN, and SURES; and (2) Motion Simulation Hexapods for dynamic testing with velocities up to 1 m/s and accelerations up to 1 g: HEGOA (ultra-compact dynamic), NOTUS, MISTRAL, SIROCCO, and AQUILON. These hardware platforms are complemented by three software products — SYM_Positioning (for positioning hexapods), SYM_Motion (for motion hexapods), and the HexaSym Simulator (virtual trajectory testing) — plus a dedicated Hexapod Controller and Custom Systems engineering services for bespoke solutions. The company holds ISO 9001 certification and serves aerospace, space, astronomy, defense, photonics, semiconductor, synchrotron, and research sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HexaSym: Simulator software for hexapod systems
• SYM_Positioning
• SYM_Motion

Products and services

• SOLANO ultra-compact positioning hexapod Ultra-compact positioning hexapod with resolution up to 50 nm, 104 mm height and 120 mm diameter, designed for precision robotics, photonics, optics, and semiconductor applications requiring minimal footprint with sub-micrometric accuracy.
• MAUKA positioning hexapod Positioning hexapod with small diameter, engineered for precision positioning tasks in research and industrial environments requiring a compact form factor.
• BORA positioning hexapod Precision positioning hexapod for high-accuracy applications across scientific and industrial sectors, offering stability and repeatability across six degrees of freedom.
• PUNA positioning hexapod Positioning hexapod designed for precision positioning in research and industry applications, offering an optimized cost-performance balance for various scientific and engineering use cases.
• BREVA positioning hexapod High-precision positioning hexapod for industrial, scientific, and research applications, featuring a compact and robust parallel kinematic structure across six degrees of freedom.
• BREVA S positioning hexapod Compact variant of the BREVA positioning hexapod, 37% more compact than the standard model, delivering high-precision positioning performance in a reduced form factor for space-constrained environments.
• ZONDA positioning hexapod Precision positioning hexapod for high-accuracy applications, part of Symétrie's standard positioning hexapod portfolio.
• SIRIUS positioning hexapod Precision positioning hexapod used in demanding scientific and industrial applications including space instrumentation and synchrotron environments.
• JORAN positioning hexapod Precision positioning hexapod, notably used for ELT M1 mirror positioning in collaboration with Safran Reosc, serving astronomical telescope applications requiring sub-micrometric stability.
• KUBAN positioning hexapod Positioning hexapod from Symétrie's standard hexapod portfolio, designed for precision alignment in scientific and industrial environments.
• SURES positioning hexapod Precision positioning hexapod as part of Symétrie's standard product range for scientific and industrial applications.
• HEGOA motion hexapod Ultra-compact dynamic motion hexapod (motion simulator) capable of high dynamics with velocities up to 1 m/s and accelerations up to 1 g, designed for aerospace, defense, and automotive simulation applications.
• NOTUS motion hexapod Dynamic motion hexapod used for motion simulation, capable of generating trajectories with velocities up to 1 m/s and accelerations up to 1 g, for aerospace, defense, naval, and automotive testing.
• MISTRAL motion hexapod Dynamic motion hexapod for simulation of inertial movement, serving sectors including defense, aerospace, naval, automotive, and energy with large displacement amplitudes.
• SIROCCO motion hexapod Dynamic motion hexapod for motion simulation, featuring high load capacity and dynamics for vehicle simulation (air, sea, or land) up to several tens of tonnes.
• AQUILON motion hexapod Dynamic motion hexapod for simulation of complex movements, forming part of Symétrie's motion simulation platform family for defense and aerospace applications.
• SYM_Positioning software Dedicated software for controlling positioning hexapods, providing intuitive control, trajectory programming, and position management for precision alignment operations.
• SYM_Motion software Dedicated software for controlling motion simulation hexapods, enabling dynamic trajectory generation and real-time motion control for simulation testing.
• HexaSym Simulator software Simulation software allowing users to virtually test hexapod trajectories, positions, and movements before physical operation, reducing setup time and risk of errors.
• Hexapod Controller Dedicated hardware controller for operating Symétrie hexapods, integrating motion control electronics and interfaces for commanding hexapod positioning and dynamic movement.
• Custom Hexapod Systems Bespoke engineering services for custom-designed hexapod systems, from feasibility studies to full system design and maintenance, covering custom geometry adaptations and complex multi-axis positioning solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Resolution up to 50nm (SOLANO hexapod)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Safran ReosccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSymétrie collaborated with Safran Reosc to supply hexapod positioners for ELT M1 (Extremely Large Telescope) mirror systems, a major astronomy project requiring extreme precision positioning
• Axiom OpticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for USA market, representing Symétrie at events including Photonics West 2024 booth #1349
• Limotion SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for South Korea market, located in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do
• AutexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Japan market, located in Tokyo
• Airboard Technology (S) Pte LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Singapore and Southeast Asia, located in Singapore
• SM Creative Electronics LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for India market, located in Gurgaon, Haryana
• ROSH Electroptics LTDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Israel market, located in Natanya
• Motionsmart Precision Technology Co., LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for China market, represented Symétrie at CIOE 2026 booth #6D66, located in Shanghai
• Titan Electro-Optics Co., LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Taiwan market, located in Taipei
• Business FranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench trade and investment agency supporting international expansion at trade shows like LWOP 2025

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thorlabs: Large US photonics equipment vendor offering optomechanical positioning stages, hexapods, and motion control. Competes in the same optics, photonics, and quantum research customer segments.
• Renishaw: Global precision measurement and motion leader with encoders, positioners, and additive manufacturing systems. Overlaps with Symétrie in precision metrology and optical/photonics alignment applications.
• Novanta: US precision motion and photonics technology provider serving medical, semiconductor, and advanced industrial markets. Comparable on motion control and precision positioning, particularly in semiconductor and medical OEM channels.
• Moog Inc. Large US aerospace and defense motion-control incumbent offering flight simulation platforms and precision positioning. Overlaps with Symétrie's motion hexapod business for defense/aerospace simulation but operates at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Physik Instrumente (PI): The global market leader in hexapod/Stewart platform precision positioning systems with a far broader product portfolio (piezo, nanopositioning, motion controllers). Directly comparable on core technology and serves the same aerospace, semiconductor, and research customers.
• SmarAct: German specialist in high-precision positioning and measurement systems including parallel-kinematic and piezo-driven stages. Competes in semiconductor, optics, and research accounts with a similar niche focus.
• Mad City Labs: US-based nanopositioning manufacturer producing piezo-driven and hexapod systems for microscopy and research. Comparable technology stack and similar customer profile in life sciences and physics research.
• Aerotech: US-based precision motion and positioning manufacturer offering hexapods, linear stages, and galvanometers. Competes head-to-head with Symétrie in photonics, semiconductor, and research applications.
• Haption: French specialist in force-feedback and motion simulation systems using parallel kinematic architecture. Closely comparable in technology, customer base (defense, robotics, research), and geographic origin.

Others

• General Atomic / Synchrotron Soleil ecosystem suppliers: Specialized beamline instrument vendors (e.g., FMB Oxford, ACCEL) that supply synchrotron and big-science research facilities with positioning and motion components. Adjacent competitors for Symétrie's synchrotron and research-instrumentation accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/symetriehexapods
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/symetrie

Compliance1 record

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 Symétrie