Hexagon’s VP of Global Automotive, Ignazio Dentici, lays out how F1-grade metrology, end-to-end hardware–software ecosystems and AI-driven automation are reshaping automotive manufacturing. From pit-lane inspection to scalable robotic quality cells, Hexagon is embedding “quality at speed” into every step—powering agile, data-trusted operations for electrification, new regs and accelerating time-to-market.
Hexagon won the Innovation award for precision manufacturing in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards.
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Just Auto: Congratulations on Hexagon’s recent Innovation Award in Precision Manufacturing. From your perspective, what does this recognition signify for your company and stakeholders?
Ignazio Dentici: I think it shows that Hexagon continues to be at the forefront of quality in manufacturing across many industries, including automotive. We strive to continually improve the way quality is defined and delivered in manufacturing. It is great to be recognized for this!
JA: Hexagon has maintained a nearly 20-year partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing. What unique leadership or innovation philosophies have enabled such a long and successful collaboration?
Ignazio Dentici: Our partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing has been built on metrology and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with inspection technology. As part of this process, Oracle Red Bull Racing was the first to use our technology in the pit lane, enabling the team to get closer to the edge of performance, and this has transformed the way teams operate in F1. Where we and Oracle Red Bull Racing go, others have followed.
JA: How is Hexagon’s approach to digitalization and data analytics evolving to meet the changing needs of automotive manufacturers?
Ignazio Dentici: Hexagon is a leader in digitalization and precision data. We are using our expertise to help automate many more processes in manufacturing and this is through both hardware and software processes. For example, our PRESTO Quality Stations are modular automated robotic inspection cells, which are scalable and versatile; much-needed qualities in the current automotive landscape.
JA: What are the most significant lessons Hexagon has learned from working in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1, and how have these influenced your broader strategy for the automotive sector?
Ignazio Dentici: Perhaps one of the most important lessons learned is that having complete trust in your quality data is a competitive advantage. That knowledge that what has been designed is what is being put on the track is hugely important and enables a team like Oracle Red Bull Racing to go closer and closer to the line, safe in the knowledge that they aren’t going to overstep the line by one micron! The great thing is, the technology and support we provide to Oracle Red Bull Racing is available to everyone.
Another significant learning is that in manufacturing, accuracy and speed do not need to be mutually exclusive qualities when you have the right technology. We have also certainly learned that quality and speed can be achieved together!
JA: With new Formula 1 regulations on the horizon and a growing focus on sustainability and electrification, how is Hexagon preparing to support its partners through these industry shifts?
Ignazio Dentici: No matter which industry you operate in, the need for agility is now an ever-present, and this has been a key finding in our recent Advanced Manufacturing Report. Hexagon supports the industry during this time of transition by helping to make manufacturing processes more efficient with technologies such as digital twins, automation, virtual assembly and beyond while delivering quality at speed.
JA: How does Hexagon differentiate itself from competitors in the precision manufacturing and digitalization space, particularly for automotive and motorsport clients?
Ignazio Dentici: Hexagon is one of the few technology partners who can deliver a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software solutions. This means that we have deep understanding of the way systems link up within a manufacturing operation and can provide a complete ecosystem of solutions.
JA: What initiatives is Hexagon pursuing to attract, develop, and inspire the next generation of engineering and technology talent, both internally and through partnerships like Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing?
Ignazio Dentici: The Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing partnership is a great example of how we’re pushing forward in helping to bring young people into engineering and manufacturing to shrink the skills gap. We recently held our first Future Skills Challenge event as part of that partnership and more broadly we’re continuing to develop products that help lower the barriers to entry for people starting their careers in manufacturing.
JA: Looking ahead, what emerging technologies or trends are you most excited about, and how is Hexagon positioning itself to lead in these areas?
Ignazio Dentici: We are very excited about technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotics. Together, they help make better decisions faster and extend human capabilities. Our Robotics division recently unveiled a new humanoid robot, which has huge potential in automotive manufacturing environments, and we have already released an AI-powered technology accelerating machine tool programming (CAM) by 75%.
JA: Finally, what is your vision for Hexagon’s role in shaping the future of automotive manufacturing and mobility, and how do you plan to build on the company’s recent achievements?
Ignazio Dentici: We believe that through our unique portfolio of high-performance hardware and software solutions that bridge the digital and physical worlds, automakers can harness the full potential of digital transformation and automation. With our technologies, automakers can capture and leverage real-world data to embed quality into every step of the process, digitalizing and automating agile and efficient operations while accelerating product and process development.
With Hexagon, quality isn’t just a room at the end of the process, it becomes part of the process and supports accelerating time-to-market rather than becoming a bottleneck. We look forward to releasing even more technologies that help automotive manufacturers deliver quality at speed in the very near future.
JA: Ignazio, thank you for sharing how Hexagon is translating F1-grade precision into everyday automotive manufacturing. Your focus on trusted data, modular automation like PRESTO, and the practical use of AI and robotics makes “quality at speed” feel achievable for OEMs and suppliers alike. We look forward to the next wave of innovations you hinted at.
