Technology company Sensonor develops and manufactures gyro sensors and motion sensors for satellites, rockets, helicopters, cameras, humanoids and other advanced devices that need stabilization and control.

 

“Our sensors can be compared to the movement organ you have inside your ear. When you put such sensors on various equipment, you get the information you need to both control and stabilize your movements,” says Hans Richard Petersen, Vice President of Product Development and Marketing at Sensonor.

 

FROM SILICON VALLEY TO SKOPPUM

 

“It is great recognition for us when companies from Silicon Valley show up at our door and stay here for several days to specify products they need us to deliver. The fact that they cannot find that technology anywhere else in the world, but have to come here, is a nice boost for all of us,”says Petersen.

 

Sensonor has contractually agreed with most of its customers that they are not allowed to reveal which companies they work with.

 

“It's a bit of a shame, because we have perhaps the most ‘extra-terrestrial’ customer list in Norway. But many of the customers who come here want to keep us as a well-kept secret, and we have to respect that,” says Petersen.

 

BIG IN SPACE

 

It is no secret, however, that one of the companies Sensenor works for is NASA. This is because the Horten company’s sensors are vital to the aerospace industry. Their products are installed in many of the large rockets that lift satellites up, and are also integrated in several of the systems that are to land on the moon. Sensonor systems are also installed on the International Space Station, helping to monitor the docking of new cargo pods that arrive at the space station with supplies.

 

“Some people are just going to the moon to show they can do it, and some are going there to mine metal. Whatever they do up there in space, they use our sensors to get there,” says Hans Richard.

 

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

 

Sensonor has sensors in many arenas. The American Superbowl, for example, was filmed with cameras stabilized with sensors from Horten. The company is also a major when it comes to self-driving vehicles, which need high-precision sensors to be able to navigate.

 

“There is a lot happening within autonomous vehicles. There we have direct access to the most renowned companies in the world, those who are leading development. Where marine vessels are concerned, we collaborate with a number of Horten companies which are way ahead of the field,”Petersen explains.

 

PRAISES THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY IN HORTEN

It is no coincidence that Sensonor is located in the old naval town. Horten has a long history of technological development linked to the engineering community and the naval force at Karljohansvern. This has led to there being a large number of different companies working with advanced technology in the area today and many skilled professionals being based here.

 

“In Horten there’s an excellent network linking companies and the university. Since we are not in direct competition with each other, we share information and expertise. It provides a unique environment – and is a strength for our region,” Petersen says.

 

COMPETING AGAINST THEMSELVES

 

Sensonor's development processes often take five years from the time they start discussing new solutions with customers to the delivery of new sensors in a product. There are always multiple projects at different stages of development, which provides a good basis for researching new products.

 

“We have a goal to always be at the forefront. We ourselves aim to be the ones to compete with our products with new and even better products, before anyone else does. That keeps us sharp and innovative,” concludes Hans Richard Petersen.