The Zurich-based start-up Mantis Ropeway Technologies has developed a software solution for the autonomous control of chairlifts. This is capable of analyzing and evaluating image and video data in real time, before automatically working out what actions need to be taken on this basis. Together with the Austrian chairlift manufacturer Doppelmayr-Garaventa, Mantis is now set to bring this solution to the Canadian market, where testing will initially be carried out, further details of which can be found in an article published by startupticker.ch.
“For use on the North American market, we have currently set up our solution as a semi-autonomous system”, explains Christian Limburg, Head of Business Development at Mantis. With this design, the mountain station is not initially operated totally autonomously. The system alerts staff to potential hazards by way of sound signal.
Mantis only received an operating license for its unattended chairlift control system in Austria and Switzerland in the present winter season. According to startupticker.ch, the start-up has already gained its first customers in these markets together with Doppelmayr-Garaventa. In recent years, the partners have also tested their solution in pilot projects at facilities in Wildhaus in the canton of St.Gallen and the Austrian ski area of Silvretta-Montafon. According to a press release issued by Mantis on the business social media platform LinkedIn, the software solution for chairlifts is a world first.
