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Mantis

Category: Computer Vision

An AI-driven computer vision platform designed for the autonomous monitoring and safety of ropeway installations, including chairlifts and gondolas. Mantis was founded in 2022. The company is led by Joël Bachmann. Based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland. Team size: 1-10. Total funding raised: $495,000. Latest round: Grant (Venture Kick Stage 3). Key investors include Venture Kick, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, ETH Zurich, Microsoft for Startups.

Founded
2022
Headquarters
Rotkreuz, Switzerland
Team size
1-10
Total funding
$495,000

Value proposition

Enables autonomous ropeway operation by automating safety-critical monitoring, which mitigates labor shortages, reduces human error, and enhances passenger safety through real-time anomaly detection.

Products and solutions

Mantis Loading: AI monitoring of the boarding process to ensure passengers are seated correctly and safety bars are lowered., Mantis Unloading: Automated surveillance of the exit area to prevent accidents during disembarkation., Mantis Portal: A cloud-based analytics dashboard providing operators with operational insights and safety statistics., Mantis Urban/Material: Specialized monitoring solutions for non-seasonal urban transit and industrial ropeway systems.

Unique value

The first system to provide fully automated, real-time safety interventions for ropeways that can directly interface with the installation's control system to slow or stop the lift without human input.

Target customer

Ski resort operators, urban cable car authorities, ropeway manufacturers (OEMs), and industrial material transport companies.

Industries served

Ski & Mountain Resorts, Urban Public Transportation, Industrial Material Transport, Tourism & Leisure

Technology advantage

Utilizes proprietary edge-AI and computer vision algorithms trained specifically for harsh mountain environments (snow, glare, low visibility) to detect complex human behaviors and equipment states with high reliability and low latency.

How they differentiate

Mantis differentiates through a hardware-agnostic, retrofittable AI 'brain' that integrates directly with existing ropeway safety circuits. Unlike OEM-specific solutions, Mantis uses proprietary edge-AI trained for extreme alpine conditions (low visibility, snow glare) to provide real-time, autonomous safety interventions.

Main competitors

Skadii (HTI Group), Alpinov, Doppelmayr AURO

Key partnerships

Doppelmayr Garaventa Group (Strategic industry partner and manufacturer), ETH Zurich (Academic and R&D origin), Microsoft for Startups (Cloud and AI infrastructure), Venture Kick & Gebert Rüf Stiftung (Funding and business development)

Notable customers

Zermatt Bergbahnen, Engadin St. Moritz Mountains, Garaventa AG

Major milestones

Awarded ETH Pioneer Fellowship in 2021, Official company incorporation in Rotkreuz, Switzerland (2022), Winner of Venture Kick Stage 3 (CHF 150,000) in Oct 2023, Strategic partnership established with Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, Expansion of product portfolio into urban transit and industrial material transport (2024)

Growth metrics

Transitioned from ETH research to commercial deployment in major international ski resorts within 24 months of founding.

Market positioning

Specialized AI safety and automation provider for ropeway infrastructure

Geographic focus

DACH region (Switzerland, Austria, Germany), France, and North America

Patents and IP

Technology developed through ETH Zurich research; intellectual property is managed via the ETH Pioneer Fellowship and spin-off framework (specific patent filings typically cover the AI-integration with ropeway safety circuits).

About Joël Bachmann

Joël Bachmann is a robotics engineer and entrepreneur who specialized in Robotics, Systems, and Control at ETH Zurich. Before co-founding Mantis, he served as a Project Leader at ETH juniors, where he spearheaded the initial technical development of AI-driven monitoring for ropeway systems. He is an ETH Pioneer Fellow, a prestigious recognition for researchers turning high-potential technology into commercial products.

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