Physik Instrumente vs SPINEA: Actuation compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Physik Instrumente ranks 20 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 87; SPINEA ranks 95 with 78. Physik Instrumente is ahead on deployment, production, commercials, technology and positioning. SPINEA is ahead on progress and firepower. Level on leverage. Physik Instrumente is based in Karlsruhe, Germany, SPINEA in Prešov, Slovakia. Physik Instrumente is named in 0 signals and SPINEA in 2.

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.

SPINEA →

Prešov, Prešov Region, Slovakia · Robotics · Components / Actuation · spinea.com

SPINEA develops and supplies high-precision cycloidal gear reducers and DriveSpin actuators used in industrial robotics and automation motion-control systems.

Robotics 100 · rank 95 · score 78

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment8
Production8
Commercials4
Progress8
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower8
Leverage8

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

Positioning

SPINEA is a Slovakia-based manufacturer of high-precision cycloidal reduction gears and integrated DriveSpin actuators used in industrial robotics, automation, medical equipment and other motion-control applications. Its products are in serial production and have been supplied to major robot manufacturers including KUKA, ABB and Comau; in 2025 SPINEA launched the W series and published updated product documentation. The key distinction is its specialized European position in precision cycloidal gearing, although 2025 losses and limited entity-level revenue remain material open questions.

Latest signals

  • Timken Precision Drives is combining four motion-technology businesses to develop application-specific systems for humanoid robots.The Robot Report
  • Cone Drive added Spinea cycloidal gearing to its robotics motion-control lineup.The Robot Report

2 signals name SPINEA.

Facts, with sources

  • Timken Precision Drives, combining SPINEA, Cone Drive, CGI and Timken Encoders, launched a humanoid robot motion offering incl. the Spinea CBG11 cycloidal gear and actuator.therobotreport.com
  • Net lossorsf.sk
  • EUR 18700000orsf.sk

9 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Physik Instrumente or SPINEA: which is ahead in robotics?

Physik Instrumente ranks 20 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 87; SPINEA ranks 95 with 78. Physik Instrumente is ahead on deployment, production, commercials, technology and positioning. SPINEA is ahead on progress and firepower. Level on leverage. Physik Instrumente is based in Karlsruhe, Germany, SPINEA in Prešov, Slovakia. Physik Instrumente is named in 0 signals and SPINEA in 2.

How do Physik Instrumente and SPINEA compare?

Physik Instrumente ranks 20 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 87; SPINEA ranks 95 with 78. Physik Instrumente is ahead on deployment, production, commercials, technology and positioning. SPINEA is ahead on progress and firepower. Level on leverage. Physik Instrumente is based in Karlsruhe, Germany, SPINEA in Prešov, Slovakia. Physik Instrumente is named in 0 signals and SPINEA in 2. 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.

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