Acuvi AB is a Swedish technology company (formerly PiezoMotor Uppsala AB) that develops and manufactures high-end precision motion solutions. The group includes PiezoMotor (Sweden), Sensapex (Finland), and TPA Motion (USA). Acuvi specializes in piezoelectric (piezo) technology, particularly Piezo LEGS® motors, which offer nanometer-level precision, compact size, high force, and energy efficiency. These solutions operate in demanding environments such as vacuums and magnetic fields. The company’s products are used in medical technology, diagnostics, semiconductors, optics, and advanced industry. Acuvi enables next-generation precision systems where traditional motors are insufficient. Founded in 1997, the company is headquartered in Uppsala.
https://youtu.be/pj5caGPTVzw?is=nGGDTQJ66L14a9EP
According to Acuvin’s CEO: Our goal is to more than double all key performance indicators over the next three years. This year, we are targeting 50–100 percent growth in Asia. Customers include, for example, Collimate Health, Profound Medical, Intuitive Surgical, and Nearfield Instruments.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/piezomotor-ab_a-radical-new-biological-impact-triggering-activity-7472993239680352256-cc0R?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAADk64qUBQiJB9bat2kTfxCbDW3tscMgLBNg Extremely high-potential projects, with the latest being: CollimateHealth is developing a groundbreaking form of radiotherapy called Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT). Instead of using the wide and uniform beams of conventional radiotherapy, this technology splits the radiation into micrometer-scale, extremely intense beams (thinner than the diameter of a human hair) that are delivered at very high doses. The technology works by utilizing the following mechanisms: Sparing healthy tissue:
Because the radiation is divided into microscopic beams, the surrounding healthy tissue can recover much faster between the beams, significantly reducing side effects and damage to surrounding organs. Intense cell death in the tumor:
The extremely high radiation doses of the microbeams effectively destroy cancer cells. This extreme form of cell death (called necrosis) helps activate the body’s own immune system. Increased drug penetration: The radiation creates temporary microchannels in the tumor tissue. This facilitates the penetration and efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapies within the cancer tissue. Synchrotron light:
The technology is based on research that has traditionally required very large facilities (particle accelerators/synchrotron light sources), but CollimateHealth is now developing a clinically scalable device. The company aims to start the first clinical patient trials in the coming years. If the technology delivers on its promise, it is realistic to estimate the global TAM (Total Addressable Market) at 15,000–20,000 devices.
Here is a breakdown of how the estimate is structured:
- LINAC Replacement Market (Linear Accelerators)
Current Situation: Global cancer treatment currently relies on approximately 14,000–15,000 active linear accelerators (LINAC).
Scalability: Since CollimateHealth’s device requires less than 10 square meters of space, it can be installed in existing treatment bunkers without expensive modifications.
Potential: In theory, it can replace or supplement every traditional LINAC device in the long term. - Global Treatment Gap (Unmet Need)
Under-capacity: According to WHO and IAEA data, there is an acute global shortage of radiotherapy equipment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Expansion: An additional 5,000–10,000 devices are needed to cover global demand.
Enabler: Since microbeam technology previously required particle accelerators the size of a football field, CollimateHealth’s compact design allows for acquisition by smaller hospitals that haven’t had the space or budget. - Niche and Specialized Medicine Market (Initial TAM)
Before the technology replaces everything, it will first target specific segments where microbeams offer unique advantages (e.g., hard-to-reach brain tumors or pediatric cancers, where sparing healthy tissue is paramount).
This segment resembles the Gamma Knife or stereotactic surgery market.
This initial specialized medicine market alone is estimated at 1,500–3,000 devices globally.
TAM Summary in Device Volumes:
- Conservative (Initial niche market): ~2,000 devices
- Realistic (Full-scale global TAM): ~15,000–20,000 devices
https://www.htgf.de/en/collimatehealth-seed-round/ Here is the link.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/acuvi_hiring-acuvi-precisionengineering-activity-7448333007704272896-ML9_?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAADk64qUBQiJB9bat2kTfxCbDW3tscMgLBNg Here is a good summary of everything the company does.
https://www.postersessiononline.eu/173580348_eu/congresos/ESTRO38/aula/-PV_106_ESTRO38.pdf At least 2 piezo motors per device. Shifting of the middle plate by help of two piezo actuators.
Another rapidly growing company in which Acuvi’s piezo motors have been integrated.
Profound Medical (NASDAQ: PROF) is a Canadian medical technology company that develops, among other things, the TULSA-PRO system (focused ultrasound treatment for prostate cancer). Recent growth (2025 data):
- Q4 2025: Revenue approximately 6.0 million USD → +43% year-over-year and +13% quarter-over-quarter.
- Full Year 2025: Revenue approximately 16.1 million USD (growth from the previous year, which was ~10.7 M).
- Recurring revenue (non-capital) was strong: ~9.7 M.
- Capital equipment sales: ~6.4 M.
The company has reported strong growth, and analysts/guidance suggest potential for high double-digit to low triple-digit revenue growth in the future.
Proprietary piezo products (such as motors, actuators, and systems based on them) are part of Acuvi’s high-margin core business. They generate significantly better gross margins than the company’s other segments (e.g., distribution business).
- In 2025, certain proprietary products (mainly piezo-based) achieved a gross margin of nearly 80%.
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- The company is focusing on increasing the share of these high-margin products in its revenue.
Estimated price range (general for piezo motors)
- Smaller/standard models (e.g., linear motors ~6–10 N): Often €500–1500 / pc (depending on volume and configuration).
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More powerful or special versions (e.g., 20–40 N, vacuum-compatible): €1000–3500+ / pc or more for complete systems.
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OEM mass production: Price drops significantly with larger volumes (e.g., hundreds or thousands of units).
Examples of similar products elsewhere (not directly Acuvi):
- Faulhaber/PiezoMotor collaboration models: Starting from approximately 900–2500 USD.
https://www.nearfieldinstruments.com/portfolio/380-million-series-d-funding/ is one example of a semiconductor company where Acuwin piezo motors have been integrated.
One of Acuvi’s largest customers is ISRG = Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), the world leader in robot-assisted surgery. Core of the company:
- Core Product: da Vinci Surgical System – a robotic surgical system that enables minimally invasive surgeries.
- The system consists of a surgeon’s console, patient-side robotic arms, a 3D vision system, and instruments.
- The robot improves precision, reduces tremors, and enables smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgery → faster recovery, less pain, and fewer complications.
Key Facts (2026 Situation)
- Over 14 million da Vinci surgeries performed worldwide.
- Strong recurring revenue stream: in addition to system sales, instruments and accessories (single-use or limited-use instruments) and services provide stable income.
- Used in many specialties: urology, gynecology, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, head and neck area, etc.
- Newer product: Ion endoluminal system for lung biopsies (non-surgical diagnostics).
Finances and Growth The company has grown strongly for years. In the Q1 2026 results, revenue was approximately $2.77 billion (+23% year-on-year), and the new generation da Vinci 5 has taken a strong market share. History in Brief Founded in the 1990s, the da Vinci system received FDA approval in the early 2000s. The company holds a near-monopoly position in robotic surgery.
Acuvi has been on my own quiet watchlist for a while, as it is, to my knowledge, one of the two companies listed in the Nordics that have built their business around the piezoelectric effect. The Norwegian company Polight, which I also follow, is the other. I compare these two companies because I see similarities despite their different solutions.
Both are united by a rather long stint on the stock market and the continued wait for a final breakthrough. From a revenue perspective, Acuvi is further ahead than Polight, but on the other hand, comparing optics (Polight) and motors (Acuvi) in terms of the number of application areas is somewhat disproportionate. Both companies sell starter kits in the early stages of a customer relationship for product testing, which then progresses through prototypes to the design-in phase and finally to a finished product. Customer relationships are built on engineers’ desks, and as a shareholder in Polight, I know how long the journey is from those desks to the final product.
I read through Acuvi’s annual reports and press releases again, and I cannot say I gained a very clear picture of why sales have been stalling. There appears to be no analyst coverage (or at least it hasn’t been updated on their site), so there is no help available to support (or change) my own view. There is no investor presentation on Acuvi’s investor pages, and links to CMD events from a few years ago are missing. In 2016 this would have been okay, but not in 2024. (If someone finds them, I would appreciate the info.)
Polight provides more data quarterly regarding the progress of their sales pipeline, while Acuvi settles for high-level revenue figures and, at most, a verbal description of how sales efforts are going. As an investor, I would appreciate more detailed data, and Acuvi’s leaner reporting leaves an uncertain feeling about the direction of business development. A pipeline doesn’t necessarily tell you the value of a customer relationship, but still.
Acuvi recently replaced both its CEO and CFO. Revenue has remained stagnant for several years, and the new CEO has made the classic moves of narrowing focus and concentrating on profitability and higher-margin operations. In other words, cutting out the bulk and seeking growth in Asia—perhaps surprisingly from Japan with their own office. Going forward, revenue will not be the best metric, but rather the margin that stays in hand.
With the directed share issue carried out in 2025, there should be enough cash in the coffers to implement the refined strategy. The new CEO has plenty of work ahead to turn the company’s direction around. Therefore, I will personally continue to wait for new results from Acuvi, as changing direction is always easier on paper than in practice. Mere technological excellence in a niche sector guarantees nothing; my years with Polight have taught me that.
I don’t know if the companies have much of a connection other than mobile camera piezo motors; Polight doesn’t seem to have its own production. The camera technology is slightly different.
https://acuvi.com/press_release/kompletterande-information-gallande-licensavtal-mobiltelefonkameror/ Acuvi is an almost debt-free, very affordable cash-flow-generating company; the mere combined value of the company acquisitions Sensapex + TPA (original purchase prices): Estimated at around 385–425 million SEK (depending on exchange rates at the time of purchase) exceeds the current market price.
Without knowing the details of Acuvi’s piezo motors, I assume the piezo motor handles the movement of the lens system implemented with traditional VCM technology (actuator). At Polight, the piezoelectric effect directly changes the optics of the lens. Thus, Polight does not have a similar piezo motor because the lens/lenses are not mechanically moved anywhere. (I am not entirely sure what you mean by motor, so it is possible I misunderstood something.)
Acuvi also had some sort of setup geared toward mobile device cameras, but I haven’t seen it mentioned in the AR/MR vertical. Otherwise, the companies’ paths don’t seem to have crossed, and I haven’t seen Acuvi’s name listed among Polight’s competitors. (Although I haven’t checked which companies Acuvi lists as its competitors…)
But enough about the technology. Both companies are spinoffs from research units or universities, and in my opinion, that is reflected in their maturity level on the business side. It’s nice to focus on technology, but the “high margin” mentioned in the headline hasn’t exactly trickled down to the bottom line to pad shareholders’ wallets. For example, Polight is trying to move higher up the value chain from the component level to a supplier of larger assemblies, but how does Acuvi position itself?
You write a lot about technology and application areas (the TAM is certainly big, I don’t doubt that), but as many companies have noticed in the post-Covid era, no one is going to offer pieces of a big market pie for free. Why hasn’t Acuvi managed to gain a stronger foothold in the market than what we’ve seen?
So, I am trying to spark a discussion about the business side and its outlook, because it’s easy to fall in love with the technology. The market doesn’t seem to believe in a very bright future at a time when indices are otherwise hitting ATH figures.
If the company is a gem and worth my money (it might well be), the company itself has grown quite a thick shell in the way of finding it.
Of the Acuvi companies, the American TPA Motion is the largest in terms of revenue but has significantly lower margins than Piezomotor and Sensapex. Piezomotor’s growth, which does not require new investments in equipment, points to that nanometer precision with a high margin—the 80% gross margin mentioned in the headline refers to Piezomotor. The more goods we get out of the factory, the better the margin. I tried to describe that at the beginning of the thread, regarding the growth in revenue of products already in production by the company, as well as its future potential. Management specifically states that the Piezomotor is now seeing revenue growth. Here is a link to Acuvi’s camera technology: https://youtu.be/lB1dZlLBxFg?is=iV5P0TorIM6pYC5d And yes, communication is definitely not one of the company’s strengths.
Polight, for example, is trying to move higher up the value chain from the component level to become a supplier of larger assemblies, but how does Acuvi position itself? Acuvi and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Yes, Acuvi’s subsidiary Sensapex (Finland) offers solutions that fit well with IVF treatments, especially the ICSI method (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). How does Acuvi/Sensapex relate to IVF?
- Sensapex’s uMp micromanipulators are highly precise and stable (Zero Drift™ technology) → perfect for delicate micromanipulations where even the slightest movement can ruin the result.
- Use in IVF: Precise control of the pipette for penetrating the egg to inject the sperm.
- Partnerships: In 2023, Sensapex announced a strategic partnership with IVF2.0, integrating AI-based sperm selection into Sensapex’s micromanipulators and microscope automation. The goal is to improve the accuracy and success rate of ICSI.
Sensapex’s strength in the IVF field is extreme stability and automation, which reduces human error and improves reproducibility in the laboratory. This is part of Acuvi’s Life Science business (Sensapex + PiezoMotor + TPA Motion), where the focus is on precision movement in medicine and diagnostics. This is one example of how piezo motors have been combined into their own product, which is now being used to expand into that IVF market. Likewise, the company’s management is aiming higher in the value chain by creating their own products, and that is what these 2021 acquisitions are based on, according to my understanding.
Here is another example of our well-known customers. Exciting times ahead in precision robotics and automation!
At Acuvi, we are proud that our measurement equipment has been selected for use by ABB Robotics in their GoFa™ Ultra Accuracy demonstration. The device is used to ensure path accuracy down to 0.03 mm. The demonstration was presented in collaboration with B&R’s ACOPOS 6D system at the Teknologia 25 event in Helsinki.
This partnership speaks to our commitment to enabling the next generation of manufacturing:
- Micrometer-level precision – helping robotics systems move from pilot to production with confidence.
- Seamless integration in advanced ecosystems where motion, vision, and automation meet.
- Real-world practical significance – from laser welding to additive manufacturing, and from electronics to battery production.
At Acuvi, we believe that when you can measure with confidence, you can automate with certainty. We are excited to be part of this journey with industry leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
If you are interested in how ultra-precise robotics systems can accelerate your manufacturing innovations, let’s get in touch!
Hashtags: #Automation #Robotics #PrecisionEngineering #ManufacturingInnovation #Acuvi #ABB #BR #Teknologia25