Hexagon Completes Acquisition of Inertial Sense, Advancing Positioning Technology Capabilities

Hexagon has officially completed its acquisition of Inertial Sense, marking a strategic milestone in the company's efforts to expand its presence in the inertial measurement and positioning technology sector. The transaction closed on April 30, 2026, positioning Hexagon to leverage Inertial Sense's specialized expertise in inertial navigation solutions.

The acquisition adds significant technological depth to Hexagon's existing portfolio of surveying instruments and positioning solutions. By integrating Inertial Sense's capabilities, Hexagon strengthens its ability to serve surveying professionals and other industries requiring precision measurement and navigation technologies.

Background

Inertial Sense has established itself as a focused developer of inertial measurement units (IMUs) and related positioning technologies. The company's solutions address applications where precise motion tracking and orientation measurement are critical. This specialization complements Hexagon's broader ecosystem of geospatial and positioning equipment.

Hexagon, through its subsidiaries including NovAtel, has long maintained a comprehensive approach to positioning technology. The company's portfolio encompasses GNSS receivers, software solutions, and integrated positioning systems. The Inertial Sense acquisition represents a natural extension of this strategy, particularly for applications where inertial technology enhances or provides alternatives to satellite-based positioning.

What's New

The finalized acquisition grants Hexagon direct ownership and control of Inertial Sense's product development, manufacturing, and technical teams. This integration enables Hexagon to bundle inertial measurement capabilities with its existing GNSS and positioning technologies, creating comprehensive solutions for demanding surveying and navigation applications.

The timing of this acquisition reflects broader market trends toward integrated positioning systems. Modern surveying applications increasingly demand redundancy and robustness—characteristics that combining GNSS with inertial systems can provide. Inertial sensors continue functioning in GNSS-denied environments, such as dense urban canyons or indoor spaces, where satellite signals are unavailable or unreliable.

Hexagon indicated that the acquisition strengthens its positioning in the surveying and positioning equipment market. This positions the company to offer surveyors more sophisticated integrated solutions without relying solely on external partnerships for inertial components.

Implications for Surveyors

What This Means for Surveyors

If you currently operate GNSS-based surveying systems, this acquisition signals expanding integration possibilities. Hexagon's ownership of Inertial Sense means tighter integration between inertial and GNSS technologies is likely forthcoming. You may see new product offerings that combine both technologies more seamlessly than before, potentially reducing system complexity and improving reliability in challenging environments.

For surveyors working in environments with intermittent satellite coverage—underground construction sites, urban corridors, or forested areas—integrated inertial-GNSS systems offer tangible workflow benefits. Rather than managing separate hardware from different manufacturers, unified systems can provide more consistent positioning data without switching between sensor types.

From a cost perspective, consolidating inertial and GNSS solutions under a single vendor can streamline procurement, support, and training. Hexagon's acquisition suggests future product development will prioritize these integration benefits. Organizations investing in Hexagon's positioning ecosystem now may gain earlier access to these integrated capabilities as development progresses.

The acquisition also indicates Hexagon's commitment to maintaining technological leadership in precision positioning. For surveying professionals, this suggests continued investment in inertial measurement capabilities and their integration with satellite-based systems—developments that should enhance tool reliability and reduce operational blind spots in challenging measurement scenarios.

For current and prospective users of surveying instruments and related equipment, following Hexagon's integration timeline and product announcements will be worthwhile. Early adoption of integrated inertial-GNSS systems could provide competitive advantages in projects requiring resilient, multi-modal positioning.

Looking Forward

The completed acquisition positions Hexagon to offer surveyors more sophisticated positioning solutions. As integration progresses, professionals should monitor announcements regarding new products combining these technologies. For comprehensive coverage of positioning technology developments, stay informed through industry news sources covering surveying equipment advances.

Originally announced by NovAtel

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