Nabtesco vs Physik Instrumente: Actuation compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Physik Instrumente ranks 20 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 87; Nabtesco ranks 27 with 86. Nabtesco is ahead on progress and firepower. Physik Instrumente is ahead on production and technology. Level on deployment, commercials, positioning and leverage. Nabtesco is based in Tokyo, Japan, Physik Instrumente in Karlsruhe, Germany. Nabtesco: Established. Nabtesco is named in 5 signals and Physik Instrumente in 0.

Nabtesco →

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · Robotics · Components / Actuation · Established · nabtesco.com

Nabtesco manufactures precision reducers and motion-control components used in industrial robot joints and other robotic actuation systems.

Robotics 100 · rank 27 · score 86Humanoids · watchlist · score 82

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment10
Production8
Commercials8
Progress8
Technology8
Positioning10
Firepower8
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Nabtesco is a Japanese precision-reducer maker (~$1.3B group revenue) supplying RV reducers for large and mid robot joints, with a share estimated at 35-60% depending on scope definition, and it supplies nearly every major robot OEM. It is doubling its RV reducer production capacity by 2026 citing humanoid demand, with its precision segment up JPY 4.8bn in Q1-26 on auto and semiconductor recovery. It is a components-scale incumbent in the motion supply chain.

Latest signals

  • Nabtesco will showcase WiBotic wireless charging systems for mobile robots and drones at RoboDEX 2026.Nabtesco
  • Nabtesco will exhibit the WiBotic wireless charging system for autonomous mobile equipment.Nabtesco
  • Nabtesco will exhibit an assist unit for hand-pushed carts carrying heavy loads.Nabtesco

5 signals name Nabtesco.

Facts, with sources

  • Showcase of WiBotic wireless charging systems for mobile robots and drones at RoboDEX 2026Nabtesco
  • Nabtesco and Alva IndustriesAutomation News Japan
  • Nabtesco invested via its CVC fund in Alva IndustriesAutomation News Japan

23 facts on file.

Physik Instrumente →

Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany · Robotics · Components / Actuation · physikinstrumente.com

Physik Instrumente builds precision motion systems, piezo platforms, and custom hybrid actuators that provide controlled positioning and movement for robotic and automation applications.

Robotics 100 · rank 20 · score 87

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment10
Production10
Commercials8
Progress6
Technology10
Positioning10
Firepower6
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG of Karlsruhe is a 1970-founded specialist in nanopositioning stages, piezo actuators, hexapods and air-bearing systems; since 31 Mar 2026 it operates as HOERBIGER's independent Positioning Division while retaining its name, brand and 1,900-person global footprint across nine production sites. 2025 group sales were 321 million euros; it delivered 2,500 hybrid actuators worth 15.9 million euros to ESO's ELT (project close Oct 2025) and opened a 140,000 sq ft US factory in Shrewsbury, MA in Nov 2025. Distinguishing point is full vertical integration of own piezo ceramics (PI Ceramic), in-house sensors/controllers and space-qualified PICMA actuators with NASA Mars and LEO-satellite heritage.

Facts, with sources

  • PI introduced the H-811.I2HS compact 6-DOF hexapod with patented overload protection, up to 5 kg load and 20 mm/s velocity.roboticstomorrow.com
  • Dr. Michael Albiez became CEO of Physik Instrumente, succeeding Markus Spanner, and joined the Hoerbiger Executive Board as head of the Positioning Division.physikinstrumente.com
  • Hoerbiger completed its acquisition of Physik Instrumente as of 31 March 2026; PI keeps its name and brand as an independent operating entity in the Hoerbiger Group.physikinstrumente.com

14 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Nabtesco or Physik Instrumente: which is ahead in robotics?

Physik Instrumente ranks 20 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 87; Nabtesco ranks 27 with 86. Nabtesco is ahead on progress and firepower. Physik Instrumente is ahead on production and technology. Level on deployment, commercials, positioning and leverage. Nabtesco is based in Tokyo, Japan, Physik Instrumente in Karlsruhe, Germany. Nabtesco: Established. Nabtesco is named in 5 signals and Physik Instrumente in 0.

How do Nabtesco and Physik Instrumente compare?

Physik Instrumente ranks 20 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 87; Nabtesco ranks 27 with 86. Nabtesco is ahead on progress and firepower. Physik Instrumente is ahead on production and technology. Level on deployment, commercials, positioning and leverage. Nabtesco is based in Tokyo, Japan, Physik Instrumente in Karlsruhe, Germany. Nabtesco: Established. Nabtesco is named in 5 signals and Physik Instrumente in 0. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

Members see every signal and fact behind both companies, the live ranking, the questions the signals answer and the week explained. $99 a month, 7-day trial. What Frontier Tech Intelligence is →

Subscribe · $99 a month