Swiss robotics benefits from university research
AI is accelerating development, but scaling up internationally remains a challenge
Thanks to AI, robotics is finding new applications in many sectors. The transition from start-up to a globally active company remains a challenge.
According to a study by Raiffeisen, the Swiss robotics ecosystem comprises around 217 companies with some 7,000 employees. Around three-quarters of these are based in the cantons of Zurich and Vaud. Proximity to ETH Zurich and EPFL fosters research and start-ups and facilitates access to investors. With 3.8 robotics start-ups per million inhabitants, Switzerland is well ahead in international comparisons.
University regions as robotics hotspots
AI is expanding the range of applications for robots: they are increasingly able to perceive their surroundings autonomously and react more flexibly to situations. As a result, service robots for logistics, medicine and agriculture are gaining in importance alongside industrial robots. According to Raiffeisen, Switzerland is also among the international leaders in the use of robots.
Scaling up remains a key challenge. 87 per cent of Swiss robotics companies employ fewer than 100 people. The sector is also heavily reliant on foreign capital for large funding rounds. Given the shortage of skilled workers, robots could help to boost productivity and support employees in the future.
