The company's roots lie in two McLaren Group entities: McLaren Composites, which manufactured parts for the McLaren F1 road car and the Mercedes SLR, and TAG Electronics Systems, the surviving part of TAG Electronics Holdings after Audiolab was sold to International Audio Group. These two businesses merged to form McLaren Applied Technologies in 2004, following the dissolution of McLaren Composites in 2003. The name was shortened to McLaren Applied on 2 January 2020. In September 2014, Ian Rhodes replaced founder Ron Dennis as CEO. In 2021, the McLaren Group sold McLaren Applied to private investment firm Greybull Capital following financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2025, the company rebranded as Motion Applied.
The standard ECU mandate was introduced by the FIA to reduce costs and prevent the arms race in electronics that had previously allowed wealthier teams to run sophisticated driver aids and proprietary control systems inaccessible to smaller competitors. McLaren Applied has supplied this unit — the SECU — to all teams since the 2008 season. Beyond the ECU hardware itself, the company also supplies software, sensors, and other components to multiple Formula One teams. The power unit control part of the ECU's software was frozen for the 2022 to 2025 seasons under the hybrid engine freeze agreement, with versions submitted and registered with the FIA.
McLaren Applied's standard ECU business extends beyond Formula One. The company has held the contract for the IndyCar Series since 2007, becoming the standard ECU supplier in 2010 when the series moved to a common unit — replacing Motorola as the previous supplier. The NASCAR Cup Series contract began in 2012, coinciding with the series' switch from carburettors to fuel injection; both NASCAR and IndyCar units share a common base design. McLaren Applied also produced the electric motor, transmission, and electronics used in the Spark-Renault SRT 01E, the car used in the inaugural Formula E season.
Away from motorsport, McLaren Applied built a substantial business in vehicle electrification, specialising in high-voltage inverters. Its fifth-generation product, the IPG5, is based on an 800-volt Silicon Carbide architecture and has secured orders with multiple car manufacturers. The company also developed connectivity solutions for public transport and mining, and has worked with GlaxoSmithKline on manufacturing efficiency in consumer healthcare production.
Earlier projects included systems supporting Team GB's medal bids in rowing, sailing, and cycling at the 2012 London Olympics, and development of the Specialized S-Works+McLaren Venge racing bicycle ridden by Mark Cavendish.
McLaren Applied has received multiple Queen's Awards for Enterprise for innovation and international trade. The Motorsport Industry Association awarded the company its 2022 Business Excellence award for Technology and Innovation. Multiple e-mobility awards have recognised its contribution to vehicle electrification.