Autonomous Drone Docks in Switzerland: Transforming Aerial Monitoring and Data Collection

Autonomous drone docks are redefining how construction sites, industrial facilities, and even alpine environments are documented and monitored across Switzerland. With fully automated flight operations, these systems deliver consistent, precise, and up-to-date aerial data without requiring a pilot on site.

From infrastructure development to environmental research, autonomous drone technology is steadily becoming a key driver of Swiss innovation. Organizations across the country are using these systems to collect trusted visual data more safely, efficiently, and reliably than ever before.

From Manual Flights to Supervised Automation

Traditionally, drone operations required a trained pilot to be physically present for every single flight. This limited the frequency of data collection—especially for projects that required regular updates, such as daily or weekly progress documentation.

With the introduction of autonomous drone docks, flight operations can now be highly automated. Once installed, a dock allows the drone to launch, land, charge, and automatically upload data, following pre-scheduled or on-demand missions.

In Switzerland, however, full autonomy is not yet entirely pilot-free. Current regulations by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL) require that all automated flights be remotely supervised by a qualified operator, who can intervene if necessary. This ensures safe operations while still unlocking the efficiency and consistency of automation.

For industries such as construction, energy, and environmental monitoring, this combination of automation and remote oversight represents a significant step forward — enabling frequent, precise, and secure aerial data collection even in challenging Swiss terrain.

Real-World Applications Across Switzerland

Switzerland has emerged as an early adopter of autonomous drone docks, with several pioneering projects demonstrating their practical benefits. In collaboration with industry and academic partners, Drone Harmony’s flight automation software is increasingly used to enable precise, repeatable, and safe data collection from dock-based systems.

By combining technical expertise with practical field experience, Remote Vision has, for example, successfully implemented multiple drone dock projects in Switzerland, demonstrating how automated flight systems can deliver consistent, high-quality data in challenging environments:

Blatten (VS) – Landslide Monitoring

After a devastating rockslide, an autonomous drone dock was installed at the affected zone. Regular photogrammetry flights now produce detailed 3D terrain models that help engineers and geologists analyze slope movement and runoff risks. The system operates safely and consistently, even in unstable terrain.

Landslide in Blatten (VS)

Laufenburg (AG) – Construction Progress Documentation

Since early 2025, an autonomous dock has been monitoring the construction of the new Technology Center Laufenburg. The system captures high-resolution images several times a week, providing accurate and objective documentation for long-term project tracking.

Hinwil (ZH) – Automated Time-Lapse of Urban Development

In Hinwil, daily drone flights are automatically launched from a dock to record high-quality imagery of a major construction project. The collected data is processed into time-lapse visualizations, providing stakeholders with a reliable aerial perspective on project evolution.

Monitoring the Alps: The Tsarmine Glacier Proof of Concept

High in the Valais Alps, a proof-of-concept project at the Tsarmine rock glacier demonstrates how autonomous drone technology supports environmental research and natural hazard monitoring.

The project, led by Alltron AG in collaboration with Drone Harmony, EPFL, Fieldwork and other partners, explores how permanently installed drone systems can operate autonomously in remote, high-altitude areas. Equipped with the DJI Dock 2, the drone performs scheduled flights to capture precise 3D models of the glacier terrain, enabling scientists to study its movement and stability over time.

Tsarmine Blockgletscher Monitoring with DJI Dock 2

Located near Arolla at an elevation of around 2,600 meters above sea level, the site is part of the Swiss permafrost monitoring network (PERMOS). The data collected by the drone helps researchers and authorities better understand ground motion and potential landslide risks, without exposing personnel to hazardous conditions.

This initiative demonstrates the potential of autonomous drone docks for long-term environmental monitoring, even in extreme alpine environments.

Flight planning is carried out using Drone Harmony, which uses an exact digital twin of the terrain. Yellow lines show the flight path.

Industrial Safety from Above: DSM Sisseln

At DSM Nutritional Products in Sisseln (AG), one of the world’s leading producers of vitamins and fine chemicals, safety and innovation go hand in hand.

Together with Drone Harmony and technology partners, a stationary drone system was implemented to support industrial safety and inspection operations. Fully integrated into the facility’s infrastructure, the drone can be launched automatically in response to alarms or inspection requests.

A stationary drone solution at DSM Sisseln offers more safety and efficiency in everyday industrial operations.

In the event of an incident, such as a fire alarm, the drone can take off immediately to provide live aerial footage, giving emergency teams a clear view of the situation. Regular inspection flights also document facility conditions and support preventive maintenance.

In the event of an incident, such as a fire alarm, the drone takes off automatically.

This deployment illustrates how autonomous drone systems can enhance operational safety, streamline inspections, and improve situational awareness in complex industrial environments.

Powering Efficiency: Axpo’s “Drone in a Box” in the Alps

Axpo, Switzerland’s largest renewable energy producer, is exploring how autonomous drone docks can support energy infrastructure monitoring in remote alpine regions.

Since late 2024, Axpo has been testing a DJI Dock 2 system in the Surselva valley as part of a proof-of-concept project. The drone performs regular inspection flights over water intakes and snow measurement points — areas that are often difficult or even dangerous to access in winter.

The drone withstands the harsh winter conditions in Switzerland.

This project highlights how autonomous flight operations, when combined with advanced mission planning tools such as Drone Harmony’s 3D planning platform, can enable consistent and safe data collection even in adverse weather conditions. The approach demonstrates significant efficiency gains and reduced risk for critical infrastructure monitoring.

The Broader Impact

Across all these applications — from alpine research to industrial safety and energy infrastructure — a clear trend emerges: autonomous drone docks enable continuous, standardized, and reliable aerial data collection.

They reduce the need for on-site personnel, increase safety, and deliver consistent data that supports data-driven decisions in engineering, construction, and environmental management.

Looking Ahead

As Switzerland continues its digital transformation, autonomous drone docks are set to become a cornerstone of modern field operations. While regulations for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights continue to evolve, the benefits of automated aerial monitoring are already evident.

With Drone Harmony’s automation software at the core, these systems are not just changing how data is captured. They are shaping the future of how Switzerland observes, builds, and protects its landscape.