General project

Autonomous Drone System for Precise Localization of Avalanche Victim

Every year, around 100 people die in avalanche accidents in Europe alone. Together with industry partner ANAVIA from Näfels GL, an innovative system was developed that uses an unmanned helicopter to locate avalanche victims as quickly and accurately as possible. The project idea was selected as the winner of the 5th Innovation Boosters Robotics call in summer 2024 alongside five other projects.

The most efficient method of rescuing buried persons from an avalanche is still the help of colleagues. Due to the increasing number of ski tourers and freeriders who are off the marked pistes, it is not always possible to ensure that they are properly trained in the use of avalanche transceivers (LVS). The localisation of multiple burials in particular requires safe handling of the avalanche transceiver.

ANAVIA, a high-tech company from the canton of Glarus, develops unmanned helicopter systems such as the HT-100 and HT-50 carrier systems, which are designed for a wide range of applications. As part of the Innovation Booster Robotics program, the ICE, in collaboration with the ESA and ANAVIA, developed a system consisting of a specialized sensor system and a novel localization algorithm. This enables buried persons to be located as efficiently and reliably as possible. The project team was also supported by MAMMUT from Seon and GPV from Lachen SZ, which are responsible for the development and production of the avalanche transceivers.

In the summer of 2025, extensive test flights were carried out, resulting in a short film documenting the system and its potential. In December 2025, the system was intensively tested for the first time in winter conditions in high alpine terrain, accompanied by SRF Einstein. The corresponding SRF Einstein episode will be broadcast on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Project link: Autonomous Drone System for Precise Localization of Avalanche Victim - Innovation Booster – Robotics (ntnrobotics.com)