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Fribourg’s Builtronics pioneers autonomous solutions in agriculture and construction

Tech

27 January 2025

Fribourg-based company Builtronics is making strides in autonomous and remotely operated machinery, targeting the agriculture and construction industries. With significant support from local institutions, the company’s cutting-edge technology is paving the way for safer and more efficient solutions. Builtronics’ iTARS system transforms traditional equipment into autonomous machines, enhancing safety and efficiency in agriculture, construction, and other industries. | © Builtronics

Fribourg-based company Builtronics is making strides in autonomous and remotely operated machinery, targeting the agriculture and construction industries. With significant support from local institutions, the company’s cutting-edge technology is paving the way for safer and more efficient solutions.

This article is inspired by and based on information from an article originally published in La Liberté.

Builtronics, a division of Builtec Sàrl, has developed the Intelligent Teleoperated and Automated Retrofit System (iTARS), a technology that converts conventional machines into autonomous or remotely operated equipment. This innovative system integrates sensors, cameras, and advanced control units, enabling operators to remotely manage vehicles from hundreds of kilometers away.

The technology was showcased at a quarry in Farvagny, with a remote operator controlling the machine from Bernexpo during the Agrama agricultural trade fair. “Our solution isn’t about replacing humans but addressing labor shortages by automating repetitive or high-risk tasks,” explained Dario Guccione, Director of Builtec.

Initially focusing on snow grooming equipment, Builtronics launched AutoSnow, a project supported by CHF 450,000 in funding, including CHF 330,000 from Innosuisse and contributions from Fribourg’s economic promotion agency. Demonstrated at Snow Expo in March 2024, AutoSnow automates ski trail grooming using 4G and 5G connectivity for remote operation. The system reduces fuel consumption by 70% compared to traditional snow groomers, proving its efficiency and environmental benefits.

Bring innovation to the agriculture and construction sectors

Leveraging its success with snow machinery, Builtronics is expanding into agriculture, targeting tasks like haymaking and spraying in orchards and vineyards. The company collaborates with Fribourg’s ROSAS Center and has secured additional funding through Switzerland’s New Regional Policy (NPR) for its Autoscale project.

As Builtronics prepares to certify its autonomous systems, the company is working with partners like CertX for certification and LOXO, a start-up specializing in automated vehicles. “Our goal is to create high-value jobs,” said Guccione, who plans to hire additional developers to support the company’s growth.

With autonomous retrofit systems priced between CHF 50,000 and 100,000, Builtronics’ solutions are set to bring innovation to the agriculture and construction sectors while solidifying Fribourg’s reputation as a hub for mobility and automation technologies.