In a bold move to advance the state of GNSS technology and accelerate the path to full autonomy, Hexagon recently acquired Septentrio, a long-time leader in high-precision positioning solutions.
Inside GNSS recently sat down with Gordon Dale, president of Hexagon’s Autonomous Solutions division, to understand the strategic motivations behind the acquisition and what it means for the future of autonomy, GNSS innovation, and mission-critical positioning applications.
A LONG-TERM VISION ROOTED IN PRECISION
“Hexagon’s acquisition of Septentrio aims to boost our positioning capabilities by enhancing accuracy, reliability and SWaP,” said Dale, referencing the critical design parameters of size, weight and power that guide modern system architecture. “This move aligns with Hexagon’s long-term vision of achieving full autonomy, where precise positioning is a key building block.”
That vision—one in which sensor fusion, real-time corrections, and GNSS resilience converge to empower autonomous systems—has been a consistent throughline for Hexagon. The acquisition of Septentrio isn’t just about market consolidation. It’s about combining complementary technologies and teams to create a new standard of positioning performance, especially for emerging applications that demand robustness in smaller, more power-efficient form factors.
BUILDING A BETTER GNSS ECOSYSTEM: MOSAIC, ASTERX, OEM7 AND BEYOND
The integration of Septentrio’s GNSS technologies into Hexagon’s portfolio is already showing promise in advancing product development. Septentrio’s well-regarded AsteRx receivers and Mosaic modules will be paired with Hexagon | NovAtel’s offerings, creating a deeper and more flexible GNSS ecosystem.
“Our product synergies are significant,” Dale explained. “Hexagon brings deep expertise in sensor fusion, anti-jamming and perception technologies. Septentrio’s strengths in modular GNSS platforms—especially for low SWaP— perfectly complement that.”
For example, the Mosaic GNSS module, which has gained traction for its ultra-compact design and power efficiency, will benefit from integrated corrections and resilience technologies pioneered by Hexagon. Meanwhile, NovAtel’s OEM7 platform and Septentrio’s AsteRx receivers will continue to serve specialized user bases, many of whom already deploy both systems.
“SPAN, our GNSS+INS technology, will also play a key role in enhancing the performance of Septentrio platforms,” Dale added. “And looking forward, we expect even greater synergies in future generations of receivers.”
A LEGACY OF GALILEO LEADERSHIP— AND A ROADMAP FOR MORE
Septentrio’s deep roots in the European GNSS community—especially in shaping Galileo’s evolution—were also a major factor in the acquisition. With a track record that includes contributions to Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element-A (GIOVE-A), the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) authentication protocol, and the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) integration, Septentrio brings not only technical prowess but geopolitical relevance to the Hexagon family.
“Hexagon plans to leverage Septentrio’s expertise in Galileo capabilities to enhance our positioning portfolio and align with future Galileo developments,” Dale said. “By expanding our presence in Europe and continuing support for the Galileo project, we aim to advance high-accuracy positioning technologies, making them more accessible and easier to integrate into new applications and markets.”
This move also supports Hexagon’s strategic goal of being globally relevant in every GNSS regime, including Europe’s Galileo, the U.S. GPS constellation, and emerging regional systems.
ACCELERATING AUTONOMY ACROSS HIGH-GROWTH MARKETS
At its core, the acquisition is a catalyst for accelerating autonomy across sectors that rely on resilient and scalable positioning. From drone-based delivery and infrastructure inspection to field robotics and autonomous vehicles, high-precision GNSS is quickly becoming non-negotiable.
“By combining Hexagon’s and Septentrio’s strengths, we aim to deliver technology with the lowest SWaP without compromising performance,” Dale said. “This enables the development of more reliable autonomous systems in compact platforms that demand high accuracy and resilience.”
The operational demands of robotic systems require more than just centimeter-level accuracy. They need continuity, integrity and reliability. Dale emphasized that Hexagon’s expanded portfolio now offers the full stack: raw GNSS data, real-time corrections, anti-jam mitigation, IMU integration and edge processing—all in increasingly compact forms.
This is particularly impactful for sectors like:
• ROBOTICS: Warehouse andindustrial automation systems where high-precision localization reduces latency and boosts throughput.
• UAVs: Delivery and surveillance drones that need to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) under strict power and weight constraints.
• AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES: Fleets requiring full situational awareness even when GNSS signals are degraded or denied.
• AGRICULTURAL AUTOMATION: Smart tractors, sprayers and harvesters that rely on precise row-by-row navigation across large fields.
A PORTFOLIO BUILT FOR THE FUTURE OF POSITIONING
With Septentrio now under its wing, Hexagon has gained more than technology—it has acquired momentum. The new combined portfolio significantly expands opportunities to serve mission-critical applications in both legacy and next-gen markets. It also brings additional depth to Hexagon’s strategy for software-defined GNSS, embedded security, and vertical market integration.
“The increasing demand for compact, mission-critical applications—especially in robotics and UAVs—drives our strategy,” Dale said. “By combining Hexagon and Septentrio’s solutions, we’ve made significant advancements in form factor and power efficiency without sacrificing performance.”
These improvements allow Hexagon to serve smaller, more agile platforms and extend into new application domains where larger GNSS receivers were once a limiting factor. For example, surveillance drones operating in high-interference environments or robotic systems requiring sub-decimeter repeat- ability can now benefit from integrated solutions that were once out of reach.
Moreover, the acquisition positions Hexagon to move faster in innovation cycles. The joint product roadmap reflects not just harmonization, but acceleration—with clear lines of integration for correction services, sensor fusion, and advanced signal processing.
THE VALUE OF INTEGRATION—AND A COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATION
For current Septentrio customers, Dale emphasized continuity and expanded value. “We’re committed to preserving the strengths of the Septentrio brand while enhancing its capabilities,” he said. “Our partners and customers can expect the same trusted solutions—but now with expanded development resources, broader global support, and a wider technology ecosystem.”
He also noted Hexagon will continue to invest in Septentrio’s engineering talent, viewing the acquisition as a team expansion as much as a technology one. The R&D roadmap now includes joint engi- neering projects between Septentrio and NovAtel teams, aligning around shared goals in positioning accuracy, cyber resil- ience, and real-time situational awareness.
A PLATFORM FOR INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION
Dale concluded the interview with a call to action—for integrators, developers and end users to rethink what’s possible when precision meets purpose.
“This acquisition isn’t about status quo. It’s about enabling autonomy that’s scalable, deployable and truly resilient,” he said. “As positioning becomes the foundation for smarter machines and intelligent infrastructure, the combined strengths of Hexagon and Septentrio will help lead the way.”
With a reinforced portfolio, stronger presence in Europe, and a sharpened focus on compact, high-performance platforms, Hexagon is positioning itself to define the next chapter in GNSS innovation—one that blends heritage, agility and vision to meet the demands of the autonomy era.
