{"id":28651,"date":"2020-05-15T17:12:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T15:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/hexapods\/history-of-the-hexapod\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:14:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:14:30","slug":"what-is-a-hexapod","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/en\/hexapods-en\/general\/what-is-a-hexapod\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a hexapod"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”26278″ bg_position=”center bottom” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”80″ text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”bgg page-titre-full” color_overlay=”rgba(0,0,0,0.72)” overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”fixed”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”titre-page” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in” animation_easing=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”480″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”titre” text_direction=”default”]\n

What is a hexapod ?<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”breadcrumbs” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15″][vc_column_text]Home<\/a><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

THE HISTORY OF THE HEXAPOD<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”10″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”25543″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”txt-justify” text_direction=”default”]\n

CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT<\/h3>\n

In the 1800s, Augustin Louis Cauchy, a pioneer in mathematical analysis, studied the stiffness of an “articulated octahedron” which is the ancestor of the hexapod<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 1949, V. Eric Gough, an engineer at Dunlop in England, advanced in research and built a parallel mechanism to test tires under different loads. A few years later, in 1965, D. Stewart began using a variant of the hexapod for flight simulators.
\nThe robot he built will be renamed in his name the “Stewart platform”, which is also sometimes found under the more correct name of “Gough-Stewart platform”. Over the years, the hexapod has been updated by several engineers (Klaus Cappel, H. McCallion, etc.).<\/p>\n

STEWART PLATFORM DYNAMICS<\/h3>\n

The mechanism is a kinematic structure composed of two platforms and six cylinders. The base platform is fixed while the upper platform and the six cylinders are mobile.<\/p>\n

The cylinders are connected to the upper platform by a mobile articulation, the other end of each cylinder is attached to the base by another articulation. All the cylinders are independent of each other and allow the upper platform to be oriented and positioned.<\/p>\n

USES<\/h3>\n

Stewart platforms<\/a> have historically been used in machine tools, tire test benches, maritime research, swell simulation, flight simulators, antenna positioning, terrestrial and space telescopes, orthopedic surgery… New uses are invented day after day.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”30″ bottom_padding=”20″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”focus-products” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”bottom” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all” class=”focus-liste”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”bottom” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”48247″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”lazy-load” img_link=”https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/hexapodes\/hexapodes-de-positionnement\/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1594645213748{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]\n

POSITIONING HEXAPODS<\/a><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1712733180946{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]\n

Discover our wide range of precision positioning hexapods stages for loads from a few grams to several tons and resolutions from 10 nm to a few tenths of a micron.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=”medium” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Extra-Color-3″ icon_family=”none” url=”https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/hexapodes\/hexapodes-de-positionnement\/” text=”+”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”bottom” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”47179″ image_size=”full” max_width=”150%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”lazy-load” img_link=”https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/hexapodes\/hexapodes-de-mouvement\/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1594645252814{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]\n

MOTION HEXAPODS<\/a><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1594645259905{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]\n

We help you succeed in your dynamic motion projects, allowing you to test objects weighing from a few kg to several tons with up to 2m\/s speed and 1g acceleration.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=”small” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Extra-Color-3″ icon_family=”none” text=”+” url=”https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/hexapodes\/hexapodes-de-mouvement\/”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”bottom” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”52187″ image_size=”full” max_width=”110%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”lazy-load” img_link=”https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/applications\/”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1754641606871{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n

CUSTOM HEXAPODS<\/a><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1754641699987{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n

From the feasibility study to maintenance, Symetrie uses its skills in metrology, dynamics and positioning to offer you the best solutions, adapted to your constraints.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=”medium” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Extra-Color-3″ icon_family=”none” text=”+” url=”https:\/\/symetrie.fr\/en\/custom-hexapod\/”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

they chose Sym\u00e9trie hexapods<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\t\n\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"KNDS\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"CARL\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"bae\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"ASML\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"APPLE\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"stellantis\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"airbus\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"l3harris\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"NORTHROP\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"GOOGLE\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"air\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Ball\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dassault\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"HUAWEI\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Robert\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"SAAB\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"NVIDIA\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t