Tethys Robotics AG revolutionizes underwater mapping with smart autonomous drones
03-07-2025 – Tethys Robotics featured in the KickFund portfolio higlights as one of the rising stars within the Swiss robotics industry
Underwater infrastructure like energy pipelines and data cables is essential to modern life but hard to monitor. Harsh ocean conditions, corrosion, and even hidden WWII ammunition make inspections dangerous and expensive. Tethys Robotics aims to solve these issues by making underwater mapping safer, easier, and more cost-effective with autonomous drones.
Founded in Switzerland, Tethys Robotics builds compact underwater drones equipped with advanced sensors and localization algorithms. These drones can operate autonomously, minimizing the need for trained divers and reducing operational risks. The Tethys ONE can be deployed from existing vessels and may one day pair with autonomous boats for zero-emission ocean work.
Starting as a student project, the company has grown into a 15-person team and launched its first product in 2024. Backed by ETH Zurich, Wyss Zurich and early supporters, Tethys is preparing for commercial deployments and a seed round by late 2025. With plans to lead in subsea inspections, the team is focused on expanding both hardware and digital mapping capabilities.
