What Instituto Hercilio Randon does

Instituto Hercilio Randon (IHR) is a private Brazilian Institute of Science and Technology established in 2021 and supported by Randoncorp, a diversified industrial conglomerate focused on mobility solutions. Operating as Randoncorp's dedicated innovation arm, IHR develops disruptive technologies across three knowledge verticals: Mobility, Embedded Systems (Sistemas Embarcados), and Smart Materials (Materiais Inteligentes). The institute maintains research units in Caxias do Sul (headquarters and Smart Materials Knowledge Vertex at UCS), Farroupilha (Randon Technological Center / CTR), and Florianópolis, employing 90+ dedicated researchers and 50+ specialists working on 60+ active projects, with an extended network of 280+ researchers including partner institutions.

Its technology portfolio includes e-Sys, an electric auxiliary traction system for semi-trailers recovering braking energy and achieving up to 25% fuel savings (commercialized by Suspensys since 2019); Randon Solar, a patented photovoltaic energy system generating up to 11,500 kW/year and saving 1,800 liters of diesel annually (commercialized by Randon); Randon Smart, a fleet telemetry and intelligence platform developed with startup Delta Global; Composs, structural composites manufactured by Frasle Mobility with near-zero waste; NIONE niobium nanoparticles with 400%+ corrosion resistance gains (used in Fremax brake discs since 2022); and AT4T, an autonomous vehicle platform for controlled environments publicly presented at Fenatran 2024 after five years of development. The institute has filed 290+ patents with INPI and internationally, ranking among the top three private patent filers among Brazilian institutes for two consecutive years.

IHR operates an R&D services model in which technologies are developed and then transferred to Randoncorp subsidiaries (Randon, Frasle Mobility, Suspensys, Master, NIONE) for commercialization rather than sold directly. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The institute supplements internal R&D with strategic partnerships, including the University of Illinois (signed October 2024), Altair for AI and simulation (renewed 2025-10), iCoLab for blockchain (renewed 2025-10), and a network of Brazilian and Latin American universities. Its Deliberative Council is chaired by Daniel Randon, President and CEO of Randoncorp, underscoring the institute's structural role as Randoncorp's centralized innovation engine.

Name

Instituto Hercilio Randon

Legal name

Instituto Hercilio Randon

Website

https://ihr.tec.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Instituto Hercilio Randon is a private Brazilian research and technology institute backed by Randoncorp, developing disruptive mobility, embedded electronics, and smart materials technologies. It serves Randoncorp subsidiaries and partners with universities and global technology firms across three research verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobility R&D Services

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Discrete Manufacturing IIoT (Automotive/Electronics/Machinery) (IMAIAMAN)

Keywords

• Automotive research development
• Mobility technology innovation
• Embedded systems engineering
• Smart materials research
• Electric traction systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Caxias Do Sul

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. R&D Services to Randoncorp Ecosystem: As a private Institute of Science and Technology supported by Randoncorp, IHR develops technologies for Randoncorp and its subsidiaries (Randon, Frasle Mobility, Suspensys, Master, NIONE) through research projects and partnerships.
2. Strategic Research Partnerships: Co-development projects with universities, technology institutes, and startups for mutual innovation objectives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IHR is a private science and technology institute that develops disruptive proprietary technologies in three verticals — Mobility, Embedded Systems, and Smart Materials — for the Randoncorp mobility ecosystem. Its core deliverables are advanced technologies such as the e-Sys electric traction system, Randon Solar photovoltaic energy management, Randon Smart fleet telemetry, Composs structural composites, niobium nanoparticle coatings, and the AT4T autonomous driving platform, which are transferred to Randoncorp subsidiaries for industrial scale-up and commercialization.

Product overview

IHR operates as a private science and technology institute supported by Randoncorp, focused on innovation and disruptive technologies across three knowledge verticals: Mobility, Embedded Systems, and Smart Materials. The portfolio includes proprietary technologies developed through research partnerships with Randoncorp business units: e-Sys electric auxiliary traction system for energy recovery in commercial vehicles; Randon Solar photovoltaic technology for sustainable refrigeration; Randon Smart fleet intelligence platform for real-time monitoring; AT4T autonomous driving technology for controlled environments; and Composs structural composites for lightweight vehicle components. The NIONE unit produces niobium nanoparticle materials for advanced coatings. These products interconnect to deliver comprehensive mobility solutions spanning vehicle electrification, energy management, fleet intelligence, autonomous operation, and advanced materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• e-Sys (Electric Auxiliary Traction System) Electric auxiliary traction system for semi-trailers that recovers energy during descent and braking to assist traction during climbs and overtaking, delivering up to 25% fuel savings depending on application, loading, and road terrain. Developed by Suspensys in partnership with IHR (formerly Centro Tecnológico Randon) for commercial vehicle fleets.
• Randon Solar (Photovoltaic Energy Management Technology) Patented photovoltaic energy control and management technology for semi-trailers, using high-efficiency ultra-thin flexible panels on the trailer exterior to power hybrid refrigeration systems; up to 15 kW installed power, up to 11,500 kW/year generation, ~22 hours autonomy for refrigerated loads and 5 hours for frozen loads, with data access via mobile app or on-board interface. Target customers are refrigerated transport operators and trailer OEMs.
• Randon Smart (Embedded Fleet Intelligence) Embedded fleet intelligence service providing real-time monitoring and management of semi-trailers through telemetry, sensing, georeferencing, location sharing, mileage tracking, embedded scales, and preventive maintenance; supports fleet managers in optimizing trip planning and performance. Developed jointly with IHR and partner startup Delta Global.
• Composs (Structural Composite Materials) Structural composite materials combining different chemical natures and properties for superior mechanical performance, used to replace metallic vehicle components with lighter composites, reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. Manufacturing process produces near-zero waste with surplus feedstock reused for biosynthetic wood. Commercialized by Frasle Mobility for automotive and road transport markets.
• NIONE Niobium Nanoparticles Large-scale niobium nanoparticle pre-mix for protective coatings delivering gains in corrosion resistance exceeding 400%, color durability, shine retention, and ultra-fast drying using water-based formulations. Produced and commercialized by NIONE (a Randoncorp/Frasle Mobility unit) for industrial coatings and brake-system applications.
• AT4T (Autonomous Technology for Transportation) Autonomous vehicle technology for controlled environments integrating 100% electric traction, high-precision sensors, perception systems, decision-making algorithms, and control through a proprietary patented algorithm. Capable of complex maneuvers including articulated-vehicle reverse parking. Designed for port terminals, airports, logistics yards, cargo warehouses, mining, and agriculture, replacing human-driven vehicles in restricted-access operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• e-Sys electric auxiliary traction system achieves up to 25% fuel savings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• iCoLabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Six-year partnership renewed for three more years (since 2019). Collaboration evolved from educational phase to practical blockchain applications for data reliability in automotive industry. iCoLab is Brazil's first independent collaborative institute dedicated to blockchain and Web3 research, education, and consulting for enterprises and governments.
• AltaircoreTechnology or Integration · 7 October 2025Three-year technology cooperation (since 2022) focused on connecting academic institutions, universities, and enterprises. Collaboration includes AI, mathematical modeling, simulation, optimization, and high-performance computing. Key results include theoretical-experimental correlations of nanostructured materials for polymers/composites and metals, and accelerated development of advanced materials and predictive methods using AI.
• University of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Strategic partnership signed October 10, 2024 for joint research projects in areas of mutual interest and promotion of student and professional mobility. Projects will focus on IHR verticals: Mobility, Embedded Systems, and Smart Materials. Researchers can conduct activities at University of Illinois while American students participate in research programs at IHR units in Brazil.
• CETEC UCSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 September 2024Partnership renewal with Centro Tecnológico da Universidade de Caxias do Sul for scientific and technological exhibition. Partnership supports student research development, with IHR awarding trophies to outstanding projects and providing exclusive immersion experiences at the institute.
• RandoncorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and primary supporter of IHR. IHR was strategically created to develop disruptive technologies for Randoncorp's varied markets, contributing to growth and perpetuation of the company.
• Delta GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup partner for Randon Smart fleet intelligence development, through RV (Randoncorp's startup investment initiative).
• Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner university for research collaboration and knowledge development.
• SENAI Institute of Innovation in Polymer EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-education partnership for polymer engineering research and innovation.
• SENAI Institute of Innovation in Sensing SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sensing system research and technological innovation.
• Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner university for research collaboration.
• Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner university for research collaboration.
• Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner university for research collaboration.
• University of ChileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partner university for research collaboration in Latin America.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with mobility, embedded systems, and materials programs that translate science into commercial applications for industry partners. Closest structural analog to IHR as a national applied research institute partnering with industry.
• INESC TEC: Portuguese R&D institute operating across industry, mobility, and smart materials with strong industry-partner orientation. Comparable structurally as a mid-sized applied research institute with multiple industry verticals and academic partnerships.
• CSEM (Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology): Swiss R&D organization specializing in microelectronics, embedded systems, and advanced materials for industrial applications. Comparable to IHR's embedded systems and smart materials verticals with a similar institute-to-industry transfer model.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Research: Bosch's central R&D arm develops automotive technologies including electrification, automated driving, telematics, and materials. Directly comparable to IHR's portfolio scope (e-Sys traction, Randon Smart telemetry, AT4T autonomy), though at vastly larger scale.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organization with institutes working on mobility, embedded systems, and advanced materials. Comparable as a multi-vertical R&D institute producing patents and industry-ready technologies, though at much greater scale and breadth than IHR.
• Continental Engineering Services: Continental's R&D and engineering services arm works on vehicle electronics, telematics, ADAS, and materials. Comparable to IHR's embedded systems and smart materials verticals serving automotive OEMs.
• Toyota Research Institute: Toyota's dedicated research organization focuses on autonomous driving, robotics, and materials science. Comparable in mission (preparing a parent auto group for future mobility) and in combining AI/automation with materials research.
• ZF Friedrichshafen R&D: ZF's corporate R&D develops commercial vehicle driveline, chassis, and autonomous systems. Closely comparable to IHR's focus on truck/semi-trailer electrification (e-Sys) and autonomous yard operation (AT4T).

Emerging players

• Woven by Toyota: Toyota's autonomous driving and advanced technology subsidiary. Comparable to IHR's AT4T initiative: corporate-funded R&D building autonomous vehicle platforms and embedded intelligence for fleet applications.

Others

• Centro Tecnológico Randon (CTR): Randoncorp's own testing and validation center co-located with IHR's Farroupilha unit. Highly relevant as the physical R&D infrastructure backbone that IHR relies on, though CTR is more of an enabling/adjoining institution than a peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inovaihr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Instituto Hercilio Randon