
Flying robots as construction machines of the future
The construction industry is opening up new dimensions with autonomous flying robots. In future, drones could process building materials in hard-to-reach areas with precision, flexibility and scalability. An innovation with great potential for disaster prevention, repairs and the urban development


A global centre for artificial intelligence
While large tech companies dominate the development of artificial intelligence, Switzerland is striving for an alternative. ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne, together with other Swiss universities, have launched the Swiss AI Initiative. The aim is to develop trustworthy and transparent AI models that

Prof Nora Dainton takes over as Head of the FHNW Institute of Digital Construction
Since April 2025, Prof. Nora Dainton has been acting head of the Institute for Digital Construction at the FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geomatics. With her experience in research, teaching, and digitalization, she strengthens the university's integrated approach and continues

Zug as a global centre for blockchain technology
The canton of Zug is positioning itself as a world-leading centre for blockchain innovation. The "Blockchain Zug - Joint Research Initiative" is creating a new research network that combines academic excellence and economic dynamism. This strengthens the region as a location for future technologies

ETH Zurich provides the key to the energy transition in the power grid
If large power plants disappear, there is a risk of chaos in the grid. This is because they lack a clock generator. Researchers at ETH Zurich are now presenting a solution with which inverters from wind and solar power plants will stabilise the grid in future. A breakthrough for security of supply

Resource-efficient building with wood
A research team from Empa and ETH Zurich is developing an innovative method for producing wood-based panels inspired by traditional shingle production. By using split wood and artificial intelligence, even low-grade hardwood becomes a sustainable building material with future

DC technology as the key to the energy transition
At the OVE DC Day 2025, experts from research, industry and applications demonstrated the enormous potential of direct current technology. The focus was on practical solutions, technical standards and the role of DC microgrids in the decentralised energy supply of

Real estate monitor creates market transparency in the canton of Fribourg
With precise data and a regional focus, the Fribourg Real Estate Monitor provides sound insights into the rental housing market. The pilot project, supported by a public-private partnership, sets new standards for transparency and serves as a model for other regions in

The 104th immoTable focuses on energy, location attractiveness and innovation
The 104th immoTable brought together decision-makers from business, politics and the real estate industry at the Bananenreiferei in Zurich. The focus was on future-oriented impulses for location development, new energy concepts and the influence of digital technologies on the economy and real

Listen to how quantum atoms talk to each other
Researchers at EPFL have developed an acoustic metamaterial that can model quantum phenomena on a macro scale without destroying their fragile properties. The system opens up new perspectives for materials research, medical applications and an alternative form of quantum

Apply now: Who will win the Real Estate Award 2025?
Projects can still be submitted for the prestigious Real Estate Award until April 30, 2025. We are looking for bold ideas, forward-looking solutions and people who are rethinking the world of real estate, construction and finance. The awards will be presented on October 2, 2025 - perhaps to

New impetus from Properstar
Digitalization is changing the real estate market in German-speaking Switzerland. Properstar is entering the German-speaking region of Switzerland with a focus on digital brokerage and cost-efficient processes. Under the leadership of Sonja Honauer, the new branch aims to establish innovative

Efficient utilization of agricultural residues
Renergon has developed a small-scale biogas plant with a fuel cell. The RDS XS can process solid manure. The efficiency of the fuel cell is up to 80 percent. The plant is designed for agricultural operations in Switzerland and is also suitable for small



Digital map for storage solutions from renewable energy
The Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network (SPIN) is now working together with the Coalition for Green Energy & Storage (CGES) of ETH, EPFL, PSI and Empa. The aim is to create an interactive search tool that facilitates access to information on Power-to-X

Compact heat storage system wins innovation award for energy solutions
Cowa Thermal Solutions has won the Clean Energy & Storage category at the Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award 2025. The jury praised the fact that Cowa's compact thermal storage systems with thermodynamic materials are five times smaller than water-based

Online tool to simplify district heating expansion
The cooperative Elektra Baselland (EBL) has set up a new online service for property owners. They can use wärmecheck.ch to check whether it is possible to connect their property to an EBL district heating network. The aim is to expand district heating

3D data platform optimizes transport and infrastructure projects
iNovitas and Geoinfra Ingenieure have created a digital twin of the road network in the Zurich Oberland. They are making around 800 kilometers of roads available in a high-resolution 3D data platform. Interested planners and decision-makers can license the

Photo analysis to efficiently record the condition of infrastructures
Straintest has won two major customers for pilot projects: SBB and, most recently, the Swiss Federal Armaments Office armasuisse. The start-up, which is only seven months old, already records and measures the finest hairline cracks on façades or infrastructure buildings using photos and creates

Life sciences boost the entire Basel Area
The Basel Area continues to develop dynamically: more and more life sciences companies from abroad are settling not only in Basel-Stadt, but also in the neighbouring cantons. in 2024, this key sector accounted for three quarters of all relocations. Innovation areas and targeted location promotion

Microsoft promotes Swiss AI innovation
The Lausanne-based AI start-up inait and Microsoft are joining forces. Together, they want to develop a new generation of intelligent systems with the aim of fundamentally transforming the world of finance and the robotics industry. At the centre is an AI platform that is based on the way the human

Digital property information on the rise
With the planned amendment to the Geoinformation Act, the Federal Council is taking an important step towards digitalisation and transparency in the land and planning sector. Access to public-law property restrictions will become more efficient, legally secure and user-friendly, with direct added

Digitalisation and AI as the answer to skills shortages and climate targets
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) are neither a curse nor a blessing in the construction industry, but a necessity. The 110 industry experts who took part in this year's seminar organised by the Institute of Building Technology and Energy at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and

Buildings contribute to grid stability
The energy supply of the future requires more than just the expansion of renewable energies. Smart technologies must ensure that energy is used efficiently and integrated into the power grid. Empa researchers have developed an algorithm that optimises energy management in buildings, reduces CO2

Empa opens quantum laboratory
Empa has inaugurated a new high-tech laboratory that researches quantum effects in carbon nanostructures. Using state-of-the-art scanning tunnelling microscopy and microwave technology, the laboratory is intended to pave the way for sustainable quantum technologies, from sensors to quantum