maxon’s High Efficiency Joint provides 50 Nm and 28 rad/s at the joint. | Credit: maxon
maxon Group, a global leader in high-precision drive systems, has acquired a minority stake in Synapticon. Germany-based Synapticon is a leading provider of intelligent motion control solutions with integrated, certified safety functions. The companies did not release any financial details about the deal.
maxon Group, based in Switzerland, said the goal of the collaboration is to jointly develop high-performance drive solutions with integrated functional safety, based on optimally combined components from both companies.
“Our collaboration with Synapticon opens new possibilities for expanding our expertise in highly integrated drive systems,” said Dr. Stefan Müller, CTO of maxon Group. “It enables us to offer even more powerful and safer solutions to our customers.”
Synapticon follows a “software-first” approach when developing its drive control products. It offers a portfolio of highly compact, powerful, and intelligent motion control technologies. Its products are used in robotic arms, autonomous transport systems, and complex industrial machinery, among others.
maxon said customers are already benefiting from intelligent, highly integrated solutions based on technologies from maxon and Synapticon. The close collaboration enables efficient further development of existing products and targeted alignment with new applications.
Considering increasing functional safety requirements in many high-tech industries, this investment represents an important strategic step for maxon. The partnership strengthens maxon’s position as a provider of future-proof drive systems in dynamically growing markets such as robotics, medical technology, intralogistics, and industrial automation.
“This partnership with maxon is of great strategic importance for Synapticon,” said Nikolai Ensslen, CEO of Synapticon. “Together, we will push the boundaries of motion control even further. The market opportunities arising from this collaboration are tremendous.”
Ensslen will be giving a talk at RoboBusiness (Oct. 15-16 in Santa Clara, CA), a leading commercial robotics development event produced by The Robot Report. His talk “Humanoids for Real Applications: Mastering Safety and Performance” will focus on the critical safety and control challenges on the path to deploying humanoids in productive environments.
maxon’s motion control products are used by many leading robotics companies. A couple of recent examples include Shadow Robot’s DEX-EE dexterous robotic hand that includes 15 maxon DCX16 DC motors and the new AEON humanoid robot from Hexagon.
maxon won a 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award from The Robot Report for its High Efficiency Joint line. The company said this line incorporates everything that is needed for a self-contained robotic joint – electronics, motor, gear, encoders, cross-roller bearings, sealings, and structural support.
