# NanoMuscle

> NanoMuscle built compact, quiet actuators from nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy, electronics and software. Founded in Antioch in 1998, it sold motion components into optical equipment and toys, including Playmates’ Baby Bright Eyes, and pursued automotive applications through global manufacturing and strategic investors.

- **Founded:** 1998
- **Headquarters:** Antioch, United States
- **Founders:** Rod MacGregor (Co-founder and CEO), Danielle Fowler (Co-founder and vice president of operations)
- **Products:** NanoMuscle linear actuator / NM70, NM125 linear actuator, NM70 rotary actuators
- **Notable:** Commercial application in optical networking equipment preceded toy launch., Playmates’ Baby Bright Eyes was announced as an early high-volume toy application in 2003., Raised a disclosed $16 million Series C in October 2003.

## Products & services

- **NanoMuscle linear actuator / NM70** — Shape-memory-alloy linear motion system with approximately 4 mm stroke, integrated drive electronics and control logic.
- **NM125 linear actuator** — Higher-force linear model rated at 125 grams of force.
- **NM70 rotary actuators** — Rotary variants delivering up to 60 degrees of movement through a spring-loaded cam mechanism.

## Achievements

- Commercial application in optical networking equipment preceded toy launch.
- Playmates’ Baby Bright Eyes was announced as an early high-volume toy application in 2003.
- Raised a disclosed $16 million Series C in October 2003.
- Built sales and design operations across California, Europe, Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

## Latest updates

- **2004-08** — UPI reported a Hong Kong office, a Shenzhen design center and about 100 employees, with 60 in China.
- **2008-11** — A distributor technical note described surplus NM70 rotary actuators offered by Miga Motor Company.
- **2026-09** — Miga Robotics lists NanoMuscle-branded rotary actuators in its current specialist catalog.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nanomuscle-inc/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/nanomuscle
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Last updated: 2026-09-30