Trailblazing the use of drones in Alpine Rescue

On a mission to pioneer drone use for emergency services in the Swiss Alps, Dufour Aerospace and Air Zermatt are launching a three-year program to analyze and test various scenarios for the use of drones in rescue operations. The overarching aim is to improve the supply security for the population of Valais. “We are directly impacted when, for example, road or rail connections are disrupted, as was the case last summer in the matter and Saastal valleys. In such situations, drones make perfect sense when transporting essential goods like medications. drones equipped with sensors for terrain analysis are also valuable,” says Daniel Aufdenblatten, CEO of Air Zermatt. “We want to start developing the drone applications of tomorrow.”

‍Unlocking the enormous potential of drones

“With Air Zermatt, we’ve found a partner who understands the vast potential of drones combined with deep mountain aviation experience. we complement each other perfectly,” says Sascha Hardegger, CEO of Dufour Aerospace. “It’s not about what drones are doing today. Rather we are interested in how drones can be used beneficially over long distances and for extended periods. A hundred years ago, no one could have imagined how important commercial aviation would become. The same applies to drones — we are really only at the beginning of a massive development, and the potential is huge.”

‍Tilt-wing drone technology and helicopter integration

As part of the joint tests, Dufour Aerospace will also examine how helicopters and drones can be used together without posing a risk to each other. other airspace users, such as airplanes and paragliders, will also be examined. The collaboration with Air Zermatt places high demands on dufour aerospace’s tilt-wing drones. “The altitude of Zermatt and the surrounding terrain present a challenge. But it is in these boundary conditions that real progress is made, which is why these tests make a lot of sense to us. Safety is the highest priority for all involved,” says Hardegger.

Pioneering Alpine Rescue and preparing for market entry

So, what’s next? “We started this project with the analysis of relatively broad scenarios. we’ll begin with simple tests and gradually move toward more complex applications. We need to consult the population and many partners and stakeholders, and we need to work with the authorities to find suitable ways of authorizing both the tests and, ultimately, the regular operation of drones,” says Hardegger.

Today, the collaboration is well underway, with the first familiarization flights with small drones at various locations in the region. In addition, Mr. Hardegger tells Startupticker.ch that the two partners are currently working on more formal aspects such as specific project requirements and the timetable. It is interesting to note that Dufour Aerospace and Air Zermatt are contributing, mainly “in kind”, to this key project. Other potential sources of contribution are being explored.

Speaking of the future and the importance of this collaboration, Dufour Aerospace CEO adds “we are currently focusing on bringing our first product, the Aero2, to market. This involves a series of trials or pilot operations in different environments. The collaboration with Air Zermatt is an important step towards starting serial production of Aero2 in 2026.”

(PR - ES)

On picture: Daniel Aufdenblatten (CEO Air Zermatt, right) and Thomas Pfammatter (Co-founder Dufour Aerospace, left).