Where do you see the greatest added value of automated mobility for customers?
I am convinced that automated mobility has the potential to improve our lives in many different ways.
Automated vehicles are safer, more efficient, and more flexible than human drivers. They also offer better conditions in terms of sustainability.
Increased safety is supported by the fact that, for example, autonomous vehicles can perceive and follow traffic rules and their surroundings more precisely than human drivers. This can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, which in an industrial environment—such as in logistics centers or production facilities—directly impacts safety and operational stability.
A key efficiency advantage lies in enhanced vehicle interaction and coordination: automated commercial vehicles can optimize the transport of goods by avoiding congestion, adhering to more precise time windows, and reducing downtime. In the logistics industry, where Embotech is heavily involved, this not only means shorter delivery times but also significant cost savings. This is particularly relevant in industrial logistics environments, such as automotive plants or container terminals, where automation already creates added value by providing reliable and scalable vehicle control.
Another central topic is availability: automated vehicles enable continuous 24/7 operation, which is of critical importance for the logistics sector, as labor shortages and shift work present challenges. This allows companies to organize their processes more flexibly and avoid bottlenecks.
The sustainability aspect is also closely linked to efficiency: through optimal route planning, avoiding congestion, and even driving, energy consumption, emissions, and thus environmental impact are reduced—an essential factor for sustainable industrial logistics processes.
In addition to these economic and ecological benefits, I also see social value. Automated vehicles can improve overall mobility for people with disabilities or other limitations and give them greater independence.
Why is Embotech involved in SAAM?
SAAM offers an interdisciplinary platform with a clear goal: to advance autonomous mobility solutions in Switzerland and enable valuable international knowledge exchange.
In my view, SAAM recognized early on the potential that can secure Switzerland a leading role in automated mobility in the long run. Together with public transportation, the road traffic authorities, industry, and research partners, we look forward to opening a new chapter in Swiss mobility history and shaping the future of mobility in Switzerland along the way.
Switzerland has all the prerequisites to take a pioneering role in developing and deploying autonomous mobility technologies—its well-developed infrastructure, strong research and development landscape, and supportive government initiatives mark a significant shift from just a year or two ago.
When do you expect full automation of mobility in Switzerland?
I expect highly automated vehicles to be used in certain areas, such as logistics, in Switzerland as early as this year. The new ordinance on automated driving, which the Federal Council has recently adopted, sets a political milestone. However, I do not expect complete automation of mobility until the next decade.
Switzerland has all the prerequisites to assume a pioneering role in developing autonomous mobility technologies and deploying autonomous vehicles: the country has a well-developed infrastructure and a strong research and development landscape in the field of innovative technologies. The Swiss government supports the development of autonomous vehicles through various initiatives, and we are currently in a phase of upheaval because, around a year or two ago, this goal was still much more distant—at least from a political perspective.
Collaboration between companies, authorities, and the public is crucial to the success of mobility automation. SAAM is precisely active at this interface and therefore concentrates a great deal of knowledge and initiative.
I am proud that Embotech is a driving force in developing autonomous solutions for industrial logistics applications and that we are actively contributing to the future of this technology.
Check Embotech’s autonomous mobility projects
Autonomous Terminal Tractor (ATT)
This initiative involves the deployment of an Automated Terminal Tractor (ATT) designed to handle complex tasks in dynamic environments.
Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM)
We are automating the last missing piece of the vehicle production jigsaw: driving the cars off the assembly line and into the logistics area, where cars are loaded on trucks and trains
Andreas Kyrtatos is the CEO of embotech AG, a fast-growing scale-up delivering solutions for autonomous logistics. A technology enthusiast driven by efficiency and a passion for supporting personal growth, he holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London and an Executive Master HSG in Business and Law. Beyond leading embotech’s work in automated vehicle marshalling and autonomous terminal tractors, Andreas is an avid triathlete and proud father of two (Source: Linkedin)
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