The Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre (SDRC)
The Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of the DDPS (SDRC DDPS) supports the Swiss Armed Forces and other authorities by introducing unmanned systems for national safety and security. It is the governmental specialist authority for questions regarding drones and robot technology in terms of their threat and potential for the Swiss national security.
Research & innovation

The SDRC DDPS is part of armasuisse Science and Technology (ar S+T) and manages the research programme «Unmanned systems/ robotics». Apart from its research focus, the SDRC is committed to Swiss robotic innovations for safety and security.
ARCHE

The goal of our yearly event called ARCHE (Advanced Robotic Capabilities for Hazardous Environments) is to assess the degree of technological maturity and the practical suitability of Swiss robotics for disaster relief.
Infrastructure

As a part of armasuisse S+T, the SDRC DDPS possesses unique access to equipment and infrastructures for testing and assessing robotic systems.
Technology transfer & operations

The aim is to transfer promising robotic platforms from research and innovation into the field more frequently and in a more efficient manner. The intension is for robots on land, in the air and in the water to support the emergency services in performing their missions.
ARDET

ARDET (Advanced Robotic Detachement) is a task force for rapid deployment of the Swiss Armed Forces, which is supported by new robotic platforms from the SDRC in order to cope with extraordinary and especially hazardous events.
SAB & partners

The SDRC DDPS is supported by the Strategic Advisory Board (SAB), which consists of leading figures from the Swiss Armed Forces, Swiss research institutions and the Swiss industry.. The expertise and contributions from these board members are of great value to the SDRC DDPS to act and grow as aspecialist authority.
Pocketcard on autonomous weapons systems
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Autonomous weapons systems (AWS)
PDF, 2 Pages, 149 KB, English
Team

The SDRC currently consists of a small team of six. The SDRC accomplishes its tasks with the support of the colleagues from armasuisse S+T as well as the network of Swiss robotic research and industry.
Downloads
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Factsheet Swiss Drone and Robotics Center (in German)
PDF, 2 Pages, 235 KB, German -
Factsheet Research Program «Unmanned Mobile Systems»
PDF, 2 Pages, 144 KB, English -
Factsheet ARCHE 2018 (in German)
PDF, 2 Pages, 1 MB, German -
Charta Strategic Advisory Board SDRC DDPS
PDF, 2 Pages, 133 KB, English -
Members of the Strategic Advisory Boards SDRC DDPS
PDF, 8 Pages, 443 KB, English -
Recommended actions of the SAB SDRC
PDF, 3 Pages, 189 KB, English
Web articles
The SDRC in the media
- 08.2022: State and development of military robots (stratos) (in German)
- 05.2022: How drones and robots save lives (Einstein, SRF) (in German)
- 04.2022: SMi MRAS 2022: Switzerland details recent robotic and autonomous systems programmes (Janes)
- 03.2022: How well does the Swiss drone defence work? (Echo der Zeit) (in German)
- 12.2020: Swiss robotics for the disaster relief of the future (Research Brochure armasuisse S+T)
- 10.2020: Das Schweizer Drohnen- und Robotik-Zentrum des VBS ‒ Ein Einblick in Ursache und Wirkung (armafolio) (in German)
- 09.2020: ARCHE 2020 ‒ Schweizer Robotik für die Armee der Zukunft. (Schweizer Soldat) (in German)
3602 Thun
- Tel.
- +41 58 468 27 78
Drone Defence Bure 2021
Broadcast in «Einstein»

The SRF science broadcast «Einstein» explored the question of how drones and robots save lives. Among others, the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of armasuisse W+T took part in the broadcast.