ARCHE 2025 – Robotics for disaster relief
From 22 – 27 June 2025, the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre (SDRC) of armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) hosted the event ARCHE in cooperation with the Engineer/Rescue/NBC Training Unit and ETH Zurich. Various research teams consisting of around 160 participants arrived in the military training village in Epeisses near Avully.
Moana Häfeli, Staff, competence sector Science and Technology
In brief:
The event “Advanced Robotic Capabilities for Hazardous Environments” (ARCHE) is the result of a cooperation between the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre (SDRC) of the DDPS, armasuisse Science and Technology, the Engineer/Rescue/NBC Training Unit as well as ETH Zurich. ARCHE serves to test and develop the benefit and operational readiness of modern Swiss robotics and drone systems for the Armed Forces and other authorities with security tasks in disaster relief.
ARCHE – Bridge between research and practice in disaster relief
The platform ARCHE brings together scientific expertise and consumers in the field of disaster relief. The goal is to promote the exchange of ideas and to test innovative technologies under realistic conditions.
ARCHE functions here as a test environment for new technologies and as an interface between researchers and consumers. This mutual exchange provides advantages for both sides. Researchers can test their technologies on a practical basis, while the end users can introduce their specific needs – for example, where there is potential for improvement in use.
Making progress together – perspectives from science and application
The reasons for participating in ARCHE are diverse – but everyone is agreed on one thing: the platform offers clear added value for science, industry and the Federal Administration.
The event ARCHE scores points with the researchers particularly thanks to the unique chance to test research demonstrators within a secured framework outside of laboratory conditions, affirms Nicolas Faesch, Magnecko research team, ETH Zurich. Shortcomings in the tested robotic applications can thus be identified early on and specifically developed. In addition to the advantages for the research teams, Patricia Solano, ARCHE project manager, also stresses the benefits of ARCHE for the Swiss Armed Forces and cooperation with research. “The Swiss Armed Forces gain insights into the possibilities and progress of research. In addition, the contact between researchers and consumers promotes the mutual exchange of ideas”.
These factors are also reflected in the numbers of participants at ARCHE, which increase every year. “ARCHE has established itself as a fixed component in the annual programme of the researchers as well as with the Engineer/Rescue/NBC Training Unit of the Swiss Armed Forces”, says Patricia Solano. Nicholas Faesch Team Magnecko ETH Zurich confirms this: “ARCHE is a major event in our calendar which we worked towards for a long time and which we also saw as a kind of deadline for our research demonstrators”.
This is also noticeable for the organisation partners involved: “ARCHE has grown considerably and significantly more researchers are participating in ARCHE to work on their projects”, says First Lieutenant Werner Liechti. In particular, the development phases of the projects are exciting to observe, as well as the diversity of the projects, First Lieutenant Werner Liechti continues. As one of the organisational partners of ARCHE, the Engineer/Rescue/NBC Training Unit of the Swiss Armed Forces is responsible for various supporting tasks at the event, such as positioning staff, assembling and dismantling work as well as transport.
A view of participating systems
Magnecko – a climbing robot with magnetic feet
In order to prevent structural damage and the resulting disasters early on, students at ETH Zurich are currently developing the robot Magnecko. Equipped with magnetic feet, it can move on metallic surfaces such as ships’ sides, bridges and steel girders and perform inspections there. The goal is to identify cracks, rust and loose screws early on.
One particular advantage – thanks to its permanent magnets, Magnecko also remains held in place during power failures – a crucial security factor in deployment in critical environments. The first tests in a realistic environment at last year’s ARCHE attendance showed that particularly uneven and rusty surfaces present a challenge for the robot. It also revealed which surface structures are particularly suitable for using the robot and which are not. These findings were immediately incorporated into the development of a second, optimised prototype. The new prototype has improved magnetic feet with increased adhesive strength. It should now be possible to better absorb and cope with unevenness in surfaces – this was to be identified at the ARCHE 2025 event.
Robotised wheel excavator – HEAP
An automated wheel excavator is the focus of a further research project of ETH Zurich. The robotised wheel excavator is primarily to be used in danger zones that are life-threatening or difficult to enter for humans. A long-term goal of the research team is also to equip and operate a construction site completely with automated machines.
As part of this research, the wheel excavator from the company Menzi Muck is currently being used as an experimental machine. The new model Menzi Muck M4 was used for the first time at this year’s ARCHE. In order to automate the wheel excavator, the basic machine from Menzi Muck itself is required, as well as a control box from the ETH spin-off GRAVIS. This control box serves as an interface, for example for laser scanners, cameras, kinematic sensors, as well as pressure sensors with the hydraulics. In direct comparison with its predecessor, the new model Menzi Muck M4 represents a revised version, in other words, new sensors, a modern excavator chassis and improved electronics. As a result, the event served particularly to bring the new wheel excavator up to the status of the predecessor model. The setup, the joints and the laser scanners were recalibrated for this purpose.
A brief insight
Conclusion and outlook
armasuisse S+T thanks all helpers as well as all participants for the exciting ARCHE 2025 and is already looking forward to another successful event in 2026.