novel - accurate force & pressure sensors

What novel - accurate force & pressure sensors does

novel GmbH is a Munich-based, founder/private-owned sensor company that has built capacitive force and pressure measurement systems since 1980 and describes itself as the global leader in load distribution measurement with more than 45 years of experience. Its product portfolio centers on a family of calibrated sensors that capture contact pressure between surfaces — emed (capacitive walkway for plantar pressure and clinical pedography), pedar (in-shoe pressure measurement), loadsol (wireless in-shoe force insole with up to 60-hour battery and Bluetooth LE), pliance (flexible sensor mat for surfaces such as seats, saddles, and prosthetics), loadpad (flat wireless force sensor, with a Pro variant integrating a 6-axis IMU), loadglove, manugraphy, buttonsens, texsens, and a posturography system. The plidar high-end recording device, which scans up to 400 kHz capacitive sensors and is reported to operate only with novel sensors, is the shared hardware backbone for pedar and pliance systems. Software is delivered through loadapp (iOS/Android, with quarterly subscription add-ons for gait, CMJ, kinematics, Tamberi jump analysis, and analog audio signal output) and Novel Scientific Studio/Expert on desktop, plus plug-ins such as a video-synchronized recorder.

The company serves five primary verticals — clinical and medical research (the largest segment, including diabetic foot assessment and gait analysis), sports and athletic monitoring (including high-jump applications and sport rehab), automotive seat and seat-belt testing, industrial and ergonomics (saddles, prosthetics, wheelchair cushions, hand-tool grip), and space and government research. Named or referenced customers include Harvard University, the University of Cologne, unspecified space agencies, car manufacturers, sports equipment manufacturers, and medical device manufacturers; products are stated to be validated in 'innumerable publications.'

Commercially, novel operates a dual sales model: direct sales via a 'Request a quote' path for enterprise and full-system orders, complemented by a public e-commerce storefront at novel.de/purchaseonline that publishes unit pricing for hardware (loadsol €998–€3,398 per pair, loadpad €1,090–€2,390, plidar €9,499, emed walkway €699), and an actively recruited international network of sales partners and representatives. Revenue derives from one-time hardware sales (sensors, demo systems, the IMU plus upgrade at €499) layered with recurring quarterly software subscriptions (€299–€399 per quarter per feature) and longer-duration lifetime licenses, with marketing executed through multilingual flyers and brochures, the corporate website, newsletter, YouTube, SEO/analytics, and trade shows such as OTWorld 2026.

Name

novel - accurate force & pressure sensors

Legal name

novel GmbH

Website

https://novel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

novel GmbH is a Munich-based, privately held manufacturer of calibrated capacitive force and pressure sensor systems — including emed, pedar, loadsol, pliance, loadpad, and plidar hardware plus loadapp and Studio software — serving clinical research, sports, automotive, industrial/ergonomics, and space customers in over 45 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Force and pressure measurement sensors

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Fitness & Training Devices (Connected Fitness Sensors, Smart Jump Ropes, etc.) (CRACAQAH)

Keywords

• Capacitive pressure sensors
• Force measurement systems
• Plantar pressure mapping
• Gait analysis instruments
• Pedography equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware sensor systems: Sale of calibrated force and pressure sensor systems including loadsol (€998–€3,398), loadpad (€1,090–€2,390), plidar (€9,499), emed walkway (€699), and associated accessories. Hardware is sold as one-time purchase or as part of a system package.
2. Software subscriptions (loadapp / studio): Subscription-based software packages for data analysis, gait analysis, jump analysis, kinematics, and video synchronization. Priced per quarter (3 months). Includes basic research package, recorder package, CMJ analysis, gait analysis, kinematics package, Tamberi jump analysis, and analog audio signal features.
3. Software licenses (perpetual/time-limited): Software provided as both free basic version and feature-extended paid versions, including perpetual licenses and time-limited licenses (e.g., 2-year licenses) that include updates during the license period. Subscription licenses auto-renew for successive periods unless cancelled.
4. Upgrades and add-ons: Sale of upgrades including IMU plus add-on (€499 per loadsol pair/loadpad) and lifetime license purchases for software features (e.g., 2-year fixed service duration for €2,999 for Tamberi jump analysis).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

novel GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells capacitive force and pressure measurement sensor systems (insoles, mats, gloves, walkways, pads) and the plidar recording device for clinical, research, sports, automotive, ergonomics, and space applications. The hardware is bundled with proprietary scientific analysis software (loadapp mobile app and Novel Scientific Studio/Expert desktop software) sold via subscription and perpetual licenses. The company sells directly online, through international sales partners, and via quote-based enterprise sales to research institutions, medical device makers, automotive OEMs, sports teams, and space agencies.

Product overview

novel GmbH is a global leader in accurate and reliable load distribution measurement systems, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware sensor products and companion software. The core product line includes emed® (clinical pedography platform), pedar® (in-shoe pressure system), loadsol® (insole force sensor), and pliance® (flexible pressure mat) for measuring contact forces between surfaces. These are complemented by specialized sensors including loadglove (hand/grip analysis), manugraphy, posturography, texsens, and buttonsens. The plidar serves as the central recording device for pedar and pliance systems. Software offerings include the loadapp mobile application with various analytical features (gait analysis, CMJ analysis, kinematics, jump analysis) and Novel Scientific Studio/Expert for desktop-based research and clinical data analysis. Products are available as demo systems for evaluation and as complete systems for professional use, with subscription and perpetual licensing options for software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• emed: Pressure distribution measurement system for foot/plantar pressure mapping, used in pedography and gait analysis.
• pedar
• loadsol
• pliance
• loadpad
• loadglove
• plidar
• loadapp
• manugraphy
• texsens
• posturo

Products and services

• emed® pressure distribution measurement platform Clinical platform system for measuring pressure distribution under the foot, used for pedography, gait analysis, plantar pressure measurement, diabetic foot assessment, and foot deformities analysis in clinics, hospitals, and research institutions.
• pedar® in-shoe pressure measurement system In-shoe pressure measurement system that measures pressure distribution inside footwear during walking, running, and dynamic movements using flexible insole sensors with Bluetooth LE transmission, used in clinical gait analysis, sports research, and rehabilitation.
• loadsol® insole force measurement system Insole-based force measurement system that measures force under the foot during standing and dynamic movements. Rechargeable via USB (up to 60h capacity), Bluetooth LE and USB-C transmission, available in sizes US 3-16 / EU 34-50. Used in athletic monitoring, sport rehab, and fracture evaluation.
• pliance® flexible sensor mat system Flexible sensor mat system for measuring pressure distribution on any object surface. Applications include automotive (car seats, seat belts), equestrian (saddles), prosthetics, and wheelchair seating. Works with the plidar recording device.
• loadpad® mobile force measurement system Flexible flat sensor system for measuring normal force between soft objects, with wireless Bluetooth communication, options for auditory or visual feedback, force range 2.5-5000 N, and maximum thickness under 3.4 mm.
• loadglove hand load measurement system Load measurement glove for measuring contact forces on hand palm and fingers during grip analysis, occupational health, ergonomics, and hand tool interaction studies.
• plidar high-end recording device High-end recording device at the heart of pedar and pliance systems. Can scan with up to 400 kHz capacitive sensors. Works only with novel sensors. Priced at €9,499.
• loadapp mobile application Mobile application for iOS and Android that enables data collection, visualization, and analysis of force measurements, with subscription features including gait analysis, CMJ analysis, kinematics, jump analysis, and analog audio signal output.
• Novel Scientific Studio and Expert desktop software Desktop software for data acquisition, visualization, and analysis in research, sports, industrial, and clinical applications, sold with both free basic and feature-extended versions and perpetual/time-limited licenses.
• manugraphy pressure measurement system Pressure measurement system for manual therapy applications, measuring pressure distribution during hand movements and manual tasks.
• buttonsens tactile pressure sensor Button-style pressure sensor for localized force measurement in various applications, including tactile sensing systems.
• texsens textile-integrated pressure sensor Textile-integrated pressure sensor for seamless pressure measurement within fabrics and wearable applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Force measurement range: 2.5 – 5000 N (loadpad)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature17 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• International Sales Partners and RepresentativescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributornovel is described as a small but global company that actively seeks partnerships and sales representation internationally. The company values high-quality, state-of-the-art technology partners and aims for strong and long-lasting partnerships. Interested parties are invited to contact [email protected]. No specific named partners are disclosed.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tekscan: US-based manufacturer of thin-film pressure mapping sensors and systems for medical, dental, industrial, and ergonomic applications. Closest direct competitor to novel's emed, pedar, and pliance product lines.
• Xsensor Technology: Canadian pressure imaging and capacitive sensor company serving seating, clinical, automotive, and ergonomic markets. Competes head-to-head with novel in capacitive pressure mapping.
• zebris Medical: German maker of gait analysis, treadmill-based pressure measurement, and posturography systems. Direct competitor in clinical gait/plantar pressure, sharing novel's DACH home market.
• RSscan International: Belgian pressure measurement specialist focused on foot/shoe pressure, gait analysis, and sports biomechanics. Overlaps directly with novel's pedar and loadsol applications.
• Vista Medical: Manufacturer of pressure mapping systems used in wheelchair seating, clinical assessment, and rehab. Competes with novel's pliance and emed product families in medical/ergonomic niches.
• AMTI (Advanced Mechanical Technology): US manufacturer of force plates, force-instrumented treadmills, and biomechanics measurement systems used in gait labs and sports research. Competes with novel in lab-grade force measurement.

Broad incumbents

• Kistler Group: Swiss global leader in piezoelectric and dynamic measurement technology for industrial, automotive, and research applications. Broader incumbent that overlaps with novel in force/pressure sensing for automotive R&D and academic research.

Emerging players

• Noraxon: Provider of EMG, IMU, and biomechanics measurement systems for clinical and sports applications. Adjacent peer whose IMU-based motion stack increasingly overlaps with novel's loadpad/loadsol+IMU offering.
• Biovision / Delsys: Provider of EMG and biomechanics sensors for sports, clinical, and research applications. Adjacent player that competes with novel on the 'integrated biomechanics stack' rather than pressure mapping directly.

Others

• Qualisys: Swedish motion capture and 3D kinematic measurement company used in gait, sports, and clinical research. Complementary rather than competing, often bundled in the same biomechanics labs that buy novel systems.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/novel-official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 novel - accurate force & pressure sensors