Mantis Ropeway Technologies Expands Product Portfolio, Opens Up New Markets
Mantis Ropeway Technologies (or "Mantis" for short), a former ETH Zurich spin-off, develops intelligent safety systems for chairlifts. Since 2018, the team has been working on AI-based solutions that make cable car operations safer and more efficient. Their first product, Mantis Autonomy, was successfully deployed at several installations in Switzerland and Austria in 2023 after receiving regulatory approval.
Mantis Autonomy uses an AI-powered camera system to monitor the exit area at mountain stations and detects dangerous situations such as falls in real time. The software automatically slows down or stops the cable car, enabling the safe operation of unmanned mountain stations – a crucial advantage given the shortage of skilled workers and increasing safety requirements. A large proportion of the already equipped mountain stations operate autonomously.
New product: Mantis Assistance for valley stations
In 2025, Mantis will launch a second product to meet the increasing demand for assistance systems in valley stations: Mantis Assistance.
The system is based on the same technology as Mantis Autonomy, but focuses on the area immediately after boarding chairlifts. In the first few seconds of the ride, the software analyzes the seating position of passengers and detects hazardous situations caused by poorly positioned passengers. This area presents staff with monitoring challenges due to limited visibility.
If a passenger with an unsafe seat is detected, the system stops the ride in time, before the person reaches a dangerous height. This effectively minimizes the risk of accidents caused by falls from a great height.
Expansion into new markets
Following successful installations in Austria and Switzerland, Mantis continued its international expansion in 2025. The company's systems have now also been installed in Italy, Germany, Canada, and the USA.
Further market entries are already in preparation, while Mantis is awaiting operating permits in several new countries. The demand for AI-based safety solutions in the cable car industry continues to rise.
Award: Swiss Mountain Award 2025
In October 2025, Mantis was also awarded the Swiss Mountain Award. The jury recognized the startup for its innovative, technologically leading solution, which makes a significant contribution to safety and efficiency in alpine tourism.
