The report does not provide explicit country-level data on Switzerland in the context of robotics or mobility startups.
- Robotics in mobility is not a standalone vertical but a core enabling layer across AI, autonomy, and industrial systems.
- Switzerland is not specifically represented, while Europe overall shows strong technical capability but declining funding share globally.
Robotics as a Cross-Sector (Horizontal) Technology
- Robotics is described as a horizontal innovation layer, often not fully captured in mobility-specific datasets.
- Many robotics-driven innovations are embedded in:
- AI systems
- automation
- industrial processes
- As a result, robotics activity is systematically underestimated in VC statistics.
Growth Areas: Autonomous & Robotics-Driven Systems
- Strong funding activity in autonomous and robotics-enabled mobility systems, including:
- Autonomous freight (e.g., $151.1M round)
- Autonomous vehicles and software
- Unmanned ground vehicles
- Robotics is particularly visible in:
- Autonomous & sensor technologies (leading funding segment)
- Vehicle production and logistics automation
Defence & Dual-Use Robotics Acceleration
- Funding in robotics-linked defence and dual-use mobility technologies increased 4× over 5 years.
- Key domains:
- Drones (logistics, military)
- Autonomous ground vehicles
- Autonomous electric trucks
AI–Robotics Convergence (“Physical AI”)
- Robotics is tightly coupled with AI, particularly:
- Physical AI embedded in vehicles, fleets, and infrastructure
- Mobility is identified as a primary testbed for robotics + AI integration due to:
- structured environments (roads, rules)
- clear feedback loops (safety outcomes)
- Future trajectory:
- Shift toward distributed intelligence in systems (sensors + components)
- Movement from centralized AI to embedded
Industrial Robotics & Infrastructure Use Cases
Examples of robotics applications highlighted:
- Automated battery disassembly systems (industrial robotics)
- Predictive maintenance systems (AI + robotics in transport infrastructure)
- Autonomous trains and logistics systems
Trend:
- Robotics is shifting toward:
- efficiency, cost reduction, and infrastructure optimization
- less visible, non-consumer-facing applications
Investment Trends Affecting Robotics
- Mobility VC funding declined to $4.8B in 2025 (-27% YoY)
- Capital is being reallocated toward AI and defence, indirectly shaping robotics growth.
- Robotics-related innovation persists but is:
- increasingly funded via non-VC instruments (debt, PE)
- embedded in broader industrial systems
