Hexagon’s motto, “From microns to Mars, we measure what matters for the future,” may initially seem ambitious, yet it accurately encapsulates the Swedish firm’s expertise in capturing precise data across a vast range of environments and challenges.
This company operates at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, creating detailed virtual models of real-world settings that allow for safe analysis and experimentation.
Based in Stockholm, Hexagon is a somewhat discreet powerhouse in technology, quietly driving innovation within critical sectors often hidden behind secure doors. Its influence extends to power generation facilities, manufacturing plants, construction zones, mining operations, autonomous vehicle systems, aerospace research centers, and defense command centers.
Although Hexagon may not be a household name online, its technologies play a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and safety of complex industrial processes that underpin modern life.
By integrating precision measurement instruments, sensor-driven visualization platforms, and advanced geospatial analytics, Hexagon empowers organizations to make smarter, data-driven decisions.
In the rapidly expanding field of digital twins, Hexagon develops virtual replicas of physical environments, enabling personnel to interact with and monitor hazardous or inaccessible locations remotely, thereby reducing risk.
To gain deeper insight into Hexagon’s vision and operations, I engaged in a detailed exchange with Burkhard Boeckem, the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
Scandinavian Foundations and Innovation
Boeckem reflects on Hexagon’s origins as deeply rooted in Scandinavian engineering principles. A pivotal moment was the 2000 acquisition of Brown & Sharpe’s metrology division, which solidified Hexagon’s commitment to precision measurement.
“Measurement is embedded in our core,” Boeckem explains. “For over 25 years, we have transformed industries by delivering technologies that prioritize accuracy, reliability, and precision. These qualities have influenced how products are designed, manufactured, inspected, and optimized, shaping both our technological and business evolution.”
As industries evolve with increasing digital complexity, Hexagon has expanded its capabilities in software, automation, and digital reality solutions. Yet, Boeckem emphasizes that computational advancements must be grounded in a thorough understanding of real-world dynamics. This philosophy positions Hexagon at the nexus of sensors, software, and AI-driven decision-making.
While the IT sector is predominantly led by the US, with China and others making strides, Hexagon’s Scandinavian heritage and its status as a key player on the Stockholm stock exchange make it a distinctive presence. Boeckem highlights how Swedish cultural values continue to shape the company’s approach.
“Our Swedish identity profoundly influences our mindset, technology development, and customer engagement,” he says. “We focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains. Innovation must be practical, dependable, and enduring, though we remain committed to bold, disruptive breakthroughs that introduce industry-first solutions.”
Driving Sustainability Through Innovation
Turning to sustainability-a domain where Sweden and the broader Scandinavian region have long been leaders-Boeckem believes these countries are well-positioned to set global standards, thanks to both cultural and institutional factors.
“High institutional trust and robust governance frameworks enable Scandinavia to pursue ambitious sustainability initiatives, even when they involve upfront costs,” he notes. “This stability allows for strategic planning and investment over decades, beyond the constraints of political cycles.”
Scandinavia’s early adoption of environmental policies is notable. Sweden implemented carbon pricing as early as 1991, fostering innovation in energy-efficient technologies such as heat pumps, smart building systems, and district heating networks. Circular economy practices, including repair incentives and strong recycling programs, have also influenced product design and lifecycle management.
Concrete progress is evident: Norway’s reliance on hydropower, Denmark’s leadership in wind and offshore energy, and Sweden’s advancements in nuclear power, green steel production, bioenergy, fossil-free industrial processes, and carbon capture technologies all demonstrate the region’s commitment.
Boeckem stresses that sustainability should be viewed as a driver of innovation rather than a regulatory burden. This perspective ties back to Hexagon’s core strength-precise measurement and data transparency.
“A long-term outlook fosters strong ESG performance and governance, increasing the demand for accurate measurement and trustworthy data,” he explains. “Sustainability succeeds only when it is quantifiable, which is why Scandinavia leads globally by showing that environmental responsibility, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable growth can coexist when grounded in data and execution.”
The Imperative of Accurate Measurement
Hexagon’s expertise aligns perfectly with today’s data-driven world, where information underpins compliance, operational efficiency, and strategic planning. Boeckem, in a notable address last year, reiterated the timeless principle: “What cannot be measured cannot be managed, and what cannot be verified cannot be trusted. The future belongs to those who can measure.”
He warns that neglecting this principle, or failing to integrate physical realities with digital models, can lead to flawed decisions that escalate rapidly.
“If your digital representation is inaccurate, your decisions will be flawed and errors will compound,” Boeckem states. “Organizations face pressure to enhance productivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability simultaneously. The bottleneck is rarely computing power or data volume, but whether the data truly reflects reality.”
Hexagon’s unique value lies in bridging the “digital reality gap”-the disconnect between digital models and actual physical behavior. By anchoring digital twins, AI, and automation in precise measurement, Hexagon transforms theoretical possibilities into reliable, repeatable operational advantages.
Industry analyst Paul Miller from Forrester highlights Hexagon’s significant role in industrial automation, where hardware, software, AI, and human expertise converge to drive transformation.
“Hexagon excels in reality capture, from mapping large infrastructure projects to assessing weld quality on production lines,” Miller says. “Their investments in robotics, AI, and software open new avenues for automating tasks that are monotonous, hazardous, or dirty.”
Hexagon’s leadership in digital twins is particularly striking given its adoption in sectors often perceived as slow to embrace technology, such as mining and construction. Boeckem challenges this stereotype.
“Mining and construction are frequently labeled as technology laggards, but that’s a misconception,” he asserts. “Many companies in these fields are early adopters of autonomous systems, digital twins, 3D reality capture, and safety-critical technologies, where immediate, mission-critical benefits are clear.”
Bridging Industrial and Consumer Realities
When the average person thinks of virtual worlds, companies like Meta and VR headsets often come to mind. However, Boeckem points out that the “industrial metaverse” is already a reality, and that cross-pollination between consumer and industrial technologies offers mutual benefits.
“In industrial contexts, digital reality serves practical goals: reducing rework, enhancing safety, boosting yield, and minimizing environmental impact,” he explains. “These systems directly influence real-world operations. Yet, there is valuable knowledge to be gained from consumer technology, especially regarding user experience, accessibility, and intuitive design. Even the most powerful tools fail if they are not user-friendly, particularly in high-pressure environments requiring rapid decisions.”
Conversely, industrial sectors can teach consumer technology about the importance of trust, precision, and accountability.
“The future lies in merging consumer-driven usability expectations with the rigor, validation, and reliability demanded by industrial applications,” Boeckem says. “As spatial intelligence and AI become ubiquitous, this fusion will be critical to ensuring innovations are scalable and trustworthy.”
Regarding AI, Boeckem is particularly enthusiastic about technologies that integrate intelligence with the physical world.
“Robotics, high-fidelity digital twins, and autonomous systems powered by real-time sensor data have the potential to revolutionize industry,” he notes. “I am optimistic but cautious. The greatest risk is overconfidence in AI models that lack grounding in reality. In industrial settings, reliability outweighs novelty. AI becomes truly transformative only when trained, validated, and deployed using accurate real-world data, with clear accountability for outcomes.”
This pragmatic stance sets Hexagon apart from hype-driven narratives.
“A few years ago, the term ‘industrial metaverse’ generated excitement,” Miller observes. “While the buzz has diminished, the core concepts remain vital. Hexagon possesses many foundational technologies and, by focusing on practical applications and proven customer successes, is well-positioned to integrate these innovations meaningfully.”
One challenge Hexagon faces is brand recognition. Despite owning a respected heritage brand familiar to photography enthusiasts, broader awareness remains limited.
“Hexagon’s main hurdle isn’t technology but visibility,” Miller explains. “In surveying, Leica is a household name, yet many don’t realize Leica’s laser scanners and equipment are part of Hexagon. Legacy brand names from acquisitions continue to overshadow the parent company, despite efforts to build Hexagon’s own identity.”
Amidst Industry 4.0 and metaverse buzz, Boeckem underscores a clear guiding principle: “Every initiative aims to enhance how industries build, manufacture, and operate-making them more productive, safer, and sustainable. That is our benchmark.”
